The Running Mann’s Guide to January 2023 Marathons

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This article provides detailed information on all South Africa’s January 2023 marathons including race descriptions and recommendations. You can find the full 2023 marathon / ultra calendar here.

South African marathons go on hiatus from the beginning of December until the middle of January. A summary of your choices is below:

After an extended period of marathon running abstinence, you can butter your mielie with a fast and friendly circular course around Welkom and the surrounds on the 21st with the 44th running of the Mielie Marathon. Your other option that weekend is Volksrust – an out-and-back marathon packed with personality, exceptional support tables and the biggest finishers medal in the country.

The last weekend of January has five options. The most scenic of these is undoubtedly Red Hill which provides a tour of the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula (run it to find out what happens if you keep going straight at Fish Hoek during Two Oceans instead of turning right towards Sun Valley).

Ottosdal is definitely one for the bucket list. This is a superb running experience and the only night marathon in the country. You get a spectacular sunset on the way out and enjoy running past 1,500 handmade lanterns on the way back.

By far the biggest January event is Johnson Crane who are celebrating their 40th running in 2023 – quite incredibly, Johnson Crane Hire has been there from the start making this the race with by far the longest standing sponsorship. They are still innovating with a route redesign this year that keeps the fast marathon runners away from the back markers in the half marathon. The Johnson has probably claimed more marathon running virgins than any other race in the country (and was my first bite of the marathon running cherry back in 2002).

The two remaining options are double-lappers in Pretoria (Wonderpark Akasia) and Middelburg.

Click to enlarge or collapse sections.

Full Details of all January Marathons
All race information, links and flyers verified with race organisers (unless otherwise noted).
AECI Mielie Marathon (Sat 21 Jan): Confirmed
Race DescriptionThis is a fast, uncongested, single-lap marathon around the Free State’s second largest city. The route is flat and the support tables are friendly. This will be the 44th running of the event (as such it is the oldest marathon in the States) and is a great pick for a fast January qualifier.
The race offers a permanent number to her regular customers and you can get some Comrades and Two Oceans tips from local legend Louis Massyn (47 Comrades and 46 Oceans finishes) along the route.
Detailed ReportMielie Marathon (The Amaizeing Race): http://runningmann.co.za/2019/02/09/mielie-marathon/
Race DateSaturday 21 January 2023
LocationWelkom, FS
Start VenueHTS Sports Grounds, Volks Road, Welkom
Route TypeCircular
Race Websitehttp://www.goudveldmultisport.co.za/
Contact Detailsgoudveldmultisport@yahoo.com
Distance42
Online Entrieshttps://www.entryninja.com/events/78565-mielie-marathon-2023
Pre-entries CloseWednesday 18 January 2023
Entry FeeR180
Included ExtrasA 1kg bag of mielie meal; shirt (first 100 entries).
Late entriesYes (No race day entries)
Title sponsorAECI https://www.aeciworld.com/
Permanent NumbersYes (10th finish)
How to get there from Joburg?250km (2h30) drive from Joburg down the N1.
Accommodation OptionsCheck out Google for B&B options
What else to do there?If anyone knows of anything worthwhile doing in Welkom (other than running a marathon) please let me know.
Normal Finishers+/- 200
Route Elevation (total climbing)199

Race Flyer, Profile and Photos (where available)

Volksrust Marathon (Sat 21 Jan): Confirmed
Race DescriptionAn up and down, out and back route with some of the best support tables in the country (and arrive at the start with enough time to enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee and rusks). A bit of dirt road running is thrown into the end of the loop for those that like to get off the tar for a bit. Make sure you leave room in your tog bag for the medal – it is by far the biggest in the country!
Detailed ReportVolksrust Marathon (High Spirits in the Highlands): http://runningmann.co.za/2018/02/04/volksrust-marathon/
Race DateSaturday 21 January 2023
LocationVolksrust, Mpu
Start VenueVolksrust Highschool
Route TypeOut-and-back
Race Websitehttp://volksrust.com/marathon/index-1.html
Contact Detailslindaduvenage@yahoo.com
Distance42
Online Entrieshttps://www.entryninja.com/events/78627-volksrust-marathon%22
Pre-entries CloseWednesday 18 January 2023
Entry FeeR200
Included Extras
Late entriesNo –
Title sponsorNone
Permanent NumbersNo
How to get there from Joburg?240km (2h45) drive.
Accommodation OptionsPlenty of good B&Bs – you should be able to find one within walking distance of the start.
What else to do there?Use as a base to explore the Battlefields Route.
Normal Finishers+/- 100
Route Elevation (total climbing)460

Race Flyer, Profile and Photos (where available)

Finlime Flat One Marathon (Sun 22 Jan): Unconfirmed
Race DescriptionIf you fancy running a marathon in the middle of the Kalahari Desert then make a plan to include the one of the smallest Comrades qualifiers in the country (just 22 finishers when I ran in 2018) into your running schedule. The route is fairly flat and the spectacular desert landscape is only broken by the odd diamond and lime mine.
Logistically, this is one of the hardest races to get to but it offers a truly unique marathon running experience and I would recommend all South African runners make the effort to do this marathon at least once.
Detailed ReportFinlime Marathon (The Time I Ran a Marathon in Middle of the Kalahari Desert): http://runningmann.co.za/2018/01/29/finlime-marathon-kalahari-desert/
Race DateSunday 22 January 2023
LocationLime Acres, NC
Start VenueLime Acres Recreational Club, Central Avenue, Lime Acres
Route TypeCircular
Race Websitehttp://arulagroup.co.za/marathon.html
Contact Detailsinfo@arulagroup.co.za
Distance42
Online Entries?
Pre-entries Close?
Entry Fee?
Included ExtrasGoodie Bag
Late entries? –
Title sponsorArula Group http://arulagroup.co.za/
Permanent NumbersNo
How to get there from Joburg?600km (6-7hr drive) from Joburg or fly to Kimberley and shorten the drive to 1h45.
Accommodation OptionsCheck out Google for B&B options or phone JD on 0832940993 for Hostel room bookings at venue.
What else to do there?Bring a book and suntan lotion; You could use the marathon as a stopover on a road trip to the spectacular Augrabies Falls and/or Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Normal Finishers+/- 30
Route Elevation (total climbing)?

Race Flyer, Profile and Photos (where available)

STBB Red Hill Marathon (Sat 28 Jan): Confirmed
Race DescriptionFind out what happens if you kept running straight at Two Oceans instead of turning right towards Sun Valley. The route is a stunner that explores the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula and is the most beautiful of the January marathon options.
Abridged description from race site, “Runners will line up facing away from Peer’s Cave…   The route then takes the runners through Kommetjie, Misty Cliffs, Scarborough, and at the Perdekloof Picnic site, the Marathon runners will veer off towards Cape Point for a 6km loop…[after which you] continue over Red Hill. The runners join up with the Simonstown Main Road at the end of Red Hill, and continue towards Fish Hoek.”
Be aware that Fish Hoek is a dry suburb so you may have to smuggle your own beer to the finish line.
Detailed ReportRed Hill Marathon (Fish Hoek, line & sinker): http://runningmann.co.za/2020/02/28/red-hill-marathon/
Race DateSaturday 28 January 2023
LocationCape Town, WC
Start VenueSilverglade Sports Grounds, Fish Hoek
Route TypeCircular
Race Websitehttps://www.fishhoekac.com/
Contact Detailsrace@fishhoekac.com
Distance42
Online Entrieshttps://www.racetraq.co.za/product/red-hill-2023/
Pre-entries CloseThursday 12 January 2023
Entry FeeR210
Included Extras
Late entriesProbably –
Title sponsorSTBB Legal https://www.stbb.co.za/
Permanent NumbersYes (10th finish)
How to get there from Joburg?Fly to Cape Town; 45km drive from the airport to Fish Hoek
Accommodation OptionsPlenty of good options close to the start.
What else to do there?One could visit Boulders Penguin Sanctuary in Simonstown (a hit for the kids), take a trip to the light house at Cape Point, do some wine tasting at some wine farms close to the start and take a scenic drive over Chapmans Peak and work in a sunset picnic along the route of the famous Two Oceans Marathon.
Normal Finishers+/- 1000
Route Elevation (total climbing)569

Race Flyer, Profile and Photos (where available)

Wonderpark Akasia Marathon (Sat 28 Jan): Confirmed
Race DescriptionA flat double-lapper around the north of Pretoria and proof that a small running club (Akasia with around 60 members) can put on an excellent event. Not much of interest along the route but this a good option for Gauteng runners to get the first marathon of the year done. Although there is plenty of parking at the Wonderpark Shopping Centre, there are about 6,000 runners across all distances so allow time for the congestion.
The marathon honours Johann Van Eeden, an Akasia athlete who has completed 40 Comrades.
Detailed Report-: –
Race DateSaturday 28 January 2023
LocationPretoria, Gau
Start VenueWonderpark Shopping Mall, Karenpark, Pretoria
Route TypeDouble-lapper
Race Websitehttp://www.akasiaathleticsclub.co.za/mainrace.html
Contact Detailsaltje.conradie@absamail.co.za
Distance42
Online Entrieshttps://www.entryninja.com/events/78452-wonderpark-akasia-road-race
Pre-entries CloseFriday 20 January 2023
Entry FeeR280
Included Extras
Late entriesYes (R20 extra for late entries; no race day entries)
Title sponsorWonderpark Shopping Centre http://www.wonderparkcentre.co.za/
Permanent NumbersNo
How to get there from Joburg?80km (1h) drive but allow extra time for congestion.
Accommodation OptionsPlenty of options in Pretoria.
What else to do there?Put your body to the test by doing a comprehensive shopping expedition in the mall directly afterwards (personally I find one hour in the mall more tiring and harder on the body than running a marathon).
Normal Finishers+/- 2000
Route Elevation (total climbing)395

Race Flyer, Profile and Photos (where available)

Ottosdal Nite Marathon (Sat 28 Jan): Confirmed
Race DescriptionWith a 5:30pm start, this is the only night marathon in South Africa. An out-and-back, traffic-free route where lanterns line the road and guide you home after the sun sets. Ottosdal is the smallest town in the country to host a marathon and the town’s population more than doubles over race weekend (there are cycling events as well for the bike curious).
Enjoy the simplistic beauty of being out in nature as the sun starts to set. The profile is undulating although there are no major hills but a few good pulls that will give your legs a good workout while the declines allow your legs to enjoy a few sundowners.
This race is also the meat in the marathon running weekend sandwich that allows hardcore runners to run three marathons in just over 24 hours (with Wonderpark Akasia and Johnson Crane providing the bread).
Detailed ReportOttosdal Night Marathon (Testing the Limits of Delayed Gratification): http://runningmann.co.za/2019/02/21/ottosdal-night-marathon/
Race DateSaturday 28 January 2023
LocationOttosdal, NW
Start VenueOttosdal Show Grounds, Koster Street
Route TypeOut-and-back
Race Websitehttps://ottosdaldrafentrap.co.za/
Contact Detailswilla@ottosdaldrafentrap.co.za
Distance42
Online Entrieshttps://ottosdaldrafentrap.co.za/product/online_entry/
Pre-entries Close14 January
Entry FeeR160
Included ExtrasShirt (first 1000 entries)
Late entriesYes
Title sponsorNone
Permanent NumbersNo
How to get there from Joburg?240km (3h) drive west past Potch and Klerksdorp.
Accommodation Optionshttps://ottosdaldrafentrap.co.za/accomodation
What else to do there?Ottosdal is an historic boer town. There is a full weekend of activities including mountain and road biking options for bi-pedalling bi-cyclists. Stick around afterwards to see if you are the lucky draw winner of a diamond and enjoy a ‘plaaspontbyt’ (farm breakfast) the following morning.
Normal Finishers+/- 300
Route Elevation (total climbing)310

Race Flyer, Profile and Photos (where available)

Middelburg Marathon (Sat 28 Jan): Confirmed
Race DescriptionThe race promises to be an early season fitness tester that offers some of the finest views of Middelburg.
Detailed Report-: –
Race DateSaturday 28 January 2023
LocationMiddelburg, Mpu
Start VenueHoerskool Kanonkop, Middelburg
Route TypeCircular
Race Websitehttps://www.facebook.com/events/628272040935571/
Contact Detailsmmkinfo01@gmail.com
Distance42
Online Entries?
Pre-entries CloseThursday 26 January 2023
Entry FeeR180
Included Extras
Late entriesYes (R20 extra for late entries)
Title sponsorBlue Mining Services
Permanent NumbersNo
How to get there from Joburg?160km (1h45) drive using N12 or N4.
Accommodation OptionsCheck out Google for B&B options
What else to do there?https://middelburginfo.co.za/
Normal Finishers+/- 200
Route Elevation (total climbing)439

Race Flyer, Profile and Photos (where available)

Johnson Crane Marathon (Sun 29 Jan): Confirmed
Race DescriptionThis race lives up to the expectations that Benoni is the flattest, highest and most tedious part of the highveld: The route is back to a mostly single lap format (there is a small repeat section) through the city streets, suburbia and out into the countryside past smallholdings. Watch out for the nasty ‘slow poison’ pull from that dominates the six of the last seven kilometers.
Although this is not the most interesting route (there has not been much interesting to look at in Benoni since 1994 when Charlize Theron left for Hollywood), this race holds a special place in my heart since it was my debut marathon back in 2002 (when it was still a single-lap race). I enjoyed it enough to run 10 but have not run it since 2015 (after earning my permanent number and parole).
In Pre-Covid times, the event had 14,000 participants across all distances, making it one of the biggest running events in the country and by far the largest in January. It is normally very well organised with plenty for the family to do at the finish line. If you are short of clothes and cash, after the December holidays the race always has a quality shirt and goodie bag for participants.
This is the 40th running and Johnson Crane has sponsored every single edition.
Detailed Report-: –
Race DateSunday 29 January 2023
LocationBenoni, Gau
Start VenueWillowmoore Park, Benoni
Route TypeDouble-lapper
Race Websitehttp://johnsoncranemarathon.co.za/
Contact Detailsinfo@johnsoncranemarathon.co.za
Distance42
Online Entrieshttps://secure.onreg.com/onreg2/front/step1.php?id=5882
Pre-entries Close2 weeks before event
Entry FeeR305
Included ExtrasShirt (first 3,000 entries)
Late entriesYes (No race day entries)
Title sponsorJohnson Crane Hire https://jch.co.za/
Permanent NumbersYes (10th finish)
How to get there from Joburg?30 minute drive along the N12. However traffic is very congested so you need to allow at least 90 minutes.
Accommodation OptionsBirchwood Hotel and Conference Centre, The Flamingo Nest , Kaponong Hotel On Benoni Road, Hotels around OR Tambo
What else to do there?Watch the planes coming in to land at OR Tambo; Try and talent search for the next Charlize Theron.
Normal Finishers+/- 4000
Route Elevation (total climbing)409

Race Flyer, Profile and Photos (where available)


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