Posted on by Stuart Mann

The Running Mann’s 2023 Guide to May & June Marathons

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

A summary of your choices is below:

Click to expand

Marathons start going into winter hibernation in May but there are still a few good options for those looking for a long run.

Workers’ day has the MiWay Wally Hayward which is being run a new route this year to avoid Centurion’s growing sinkholes. The good news is that the last 11km of each lap is basically one long, gentle downhill. The other option on the first is the inaugural Buffalo City Marathon from Berlin to East London.

Your last chance to qualify for Comrades is on the following weekend with two 50k options. The Nashua Loskop is back after a Covid break and the Kia False Bay provides a coastal option in the Cape. Whilst not a qualifier, the Harry Gwala District Marathon on the 14th is your last confirmed marathon before Comrades.

June is a very quiet month with all the focus being on the planet’s biggest ultra marathon, Comrades. However, marathon aficionados should take a look at the Big 5 marathon run within the Entabeni Game Reserve on 17 June. It’s organised by a tour company for international marathon running tourists but they usually have some local entries available.

May
MiWay Wally Hayward Marathon (Mon 01 May): Confirmed
Race Description “The Wally” is named after the legendary Wally Hayward who won five Comrades from five attempts (1930, 50, 51, 53, 54) before returning as a 79-year old in 1998 (finishing in 9h44) and 1999 (10h50 and the oldest ever finisher). This is one of the most festive races on the calendar as Gauteng runners flock to Centurion to do some roadwork on Workers’ Day
The two-lap route starts with some gentle climbs through leafy suburbs and finishes with easy downhills on wide open roads. As race sponsor, MiWay pull out all the stops to make this a memorable run.
2023 has a new route to avoid some sinkholes – the good news is that the last 11km of each lap is essentially one long, gentle downhill. The race will also be recorded and broadcast on SuperSport about a week after the event.
Detailed ReportMiWay Wally Hayward Marathon (Can I be Frank with you?): http://runningmann.co.za/2019/08/10/wally-hayward-marathon/
Race DateMonday 01 May 2023
LocationCenturion, Gau
Start VenueCenturion Rugby Club
Route TypeDouble-lapper
Race Websitehttp://wally.co.za/
Contact Detailsinfo@wally.co.za
Distance42
Online Entrieshttps://www.active.com/centurion/running/distance-running-races/miway-wally-hayward-marathon-2023
Pre-entries CloseSaturday 15 April 2023
Entry FeeR300
Included Extras(MiWay giveaway – first 10,000 number collection)
Late entriesYes (watch social media for late entry details)
Title sponsorMiway www.miway.co.za
Permanent NumbersNo
How to get there from Joburg?The start is 55km (45mins) north of central Joburg with many access points but allow for race day traffic.
Accommodation Optionshttps://www.wally.co.za/accommodation
What else to do there?http://www.tshwanetourism.com/
Normal Finishers+/- 4000
Route Elevation (total climbing)264
The-MiWay-Wally-Hayward-2023-flyerDownload
A two-lap tour of Centurion’s finest highways. A couple of pulls but no real hills along the way.
Biting off more than you can chew at the support tables.
Replace a hubcap or buy some bling for Loftus).
The sun rises as the final curtain fall on hopeful Comrades qualifiers.
Run and deliver.
Signing Out from the MiWay Wally Hayward Marathon. Look out for the next report from the Dorothy Nyembe Marathon in Dundee.
And now the end really is very near. Three of the 1,850 runners who finished ahead of me.
The new route and profile for the 2023 MiWay Wally Hayward Marathon – the last 11km of bother laps are a gentle downhill.
Gaterite Challenge Marathon (Mon 01 May): Unconfirmed
Race DescriptionI ran this race a few years ago and accidentially booked accommodation in a whorehouse near the start. Although no whores entered my room (I was unaccompanied for the night), I remember the accommodation very clearly and not much about the marathon (it was not the most interesting route). Uber does not pickup passengers in Verulam so I ended up getting a lift back to the airport in a policevan – my father reckons I was “Ridden out of town by the cops.”
I do need to write a blog about this some time…
Detailed Report-: –
Race DateMonday 01 May 2023
LocationVerulam, KZN
Start VenueVerulam Recreation Grounds
Route TypeCircular
Race Websitehttp://www.verulamac.co.za/
Contact Detailsanaicker@yahoo.com
Distance42
Online Entries?
Pre-entries Close?
Entry Fee?
Included ExtrasShirt (first 1,200 entries)
Late entries? –
Title sponsorGateRite Cash & Carry http://gaterite.co.za/
Permanent NumbersNo
How to get there from Joburg?600km (7h) drive or fly to Durban and 10km drive from King Shaka.
Accommodation OptionsCheck out Google for B&B and hotel options
What else to do there??
Normal Finishers+/- 500
Route Elevation (total climbing)?
Buffalo City Marathon (Mon 01 May): Confirmed
Race DescriptionNothing known about this marathon.
Detailed Report-: –
Race DateMonday 01 May 2023
LocationBerlin-East London, EC
Start VenueCambridge Police Park, East London
Route TypePoint-to-point
Race Website?
Contact Detailsvuyostoto.vs@gmail.com
Distance42
Online Entrieshttps://entrytickets.net/buffalocitymarathon
Pre-entries CloseSunday 16 April 2023
Entry FeeR350
Included Extras–
Late entriesYes (Late entries close 29 Apr)
Title sponsorNone
Permanent Numbersno
How to get there from Joburg?1,000km (10h) drive or 1h30 flight to East London (R1,000 – R2,000 return) and 50km (1h) drive.
Accommodation OptionsStay at one of the beachfront hotels (Windsor Cabanas, Regent, ICC, Osner, Garden Court) or book a room at one of the many B&Bin the area.
What else to do there?Explore the local beaches – good for swimming, surfing, fishing or just relaxing; Some excellent private game reserves are closeby to see Africa’s big game by land as well as whales and sharks by boat. Check out https://www.eastlondon.org.za/tourism.html for more.
Normal FinishersN/A
Route Elevation (total climbing)?
Forever Resorts Loskop 50k Ultra (Sat 06 May): Confirmed
Race DescriptionWith over 3,500 finishers this is one of South Africa’s biggest, a 50km point-to-point route from Middelburg to the Loskop Dam on closed roads. With the start 1,500m above sea-level and the finish 1,000m, it’s a fast, downhill route – but there are some tricky sections: there is a gradual climb to 1,600m all the way to the half marathon mark and two nasty hills on the second half (Bugger’s and Varaday’s) will give you something to talk about while you cool you legs in the Forever Resort pool at the finish.
The excellent support tables and organisation make Loskop a pleasure to run – and for those wanting to prep for the Comrades “down” run, this route is a perfect replica of what you can expect to face in June.
And for the regulars there is a chance to shake the hand of an Olympic Marathon gold medallist – if you complete 10 Loskops, Josiah Thugwane is usually on duty to hand them out (he still holds the men’s record 2:44:03).
Detailed ReportLoskop Marathon (The one with a late start & a fast finish): http://runningmann.co.za/2019/05/19/loskop-marathon/
Race DateSaturday 06 May 2023
LocationMiddelburg-Loskop Dam, Mpu
Start VenueSteve Tshwete Municipal Offices, John Magagula Street, Middelburg
Route TypePoint-to-point
Race Websitehttp://www.loskopmarathon.co.za/
Contact Detailsinfo@loskopmarathon.co.za
Distance50
Online Entrieshttps://secure.onreg.com/onreg2/front/step1.php?id=5965
Pre-entries CloseFriday 17 March 2023
Entry FeeR560
Included ExtrasShirt; Bag of Schoonbee Landgoed Oranges; Columbus Stainless Steel Tossing Coin
Late entriesNo –
Title sponsorNashua
Permanent NumbersYes (10th finish)
How to get there from Joburg?160km (1h45) drive using N12 or N4.
Accommodation OptionsCheck out Google for B&B and hotel options
What else to do there?Loskopdam, A Forever Resort offers a range of activities on the Resort for the whole family including boat trips, Fishing, putt-putt, tennis, bird watching, cold and heated swimming pools, hiking trails, ladies bar and a restaurant.
Normal Finishers+/- 3000
Route Elevation (total climbing)535
2023-loskop-marathon-brochureDownload
2023-loskop-marathon-entry-formDownload
The thick mist engulfed us for most of the climb to the post office tower.
Runners disappear into the think mist on the outskirts of Middelburg.
Although the route was void of “Grillers in the Mist”, these “Grillers in the Sunshine” were doing great work.
A bag sign when you are 10km into a 50km race to the Loskop Dam
Plenty of enthusiastic crowd support as we ran through Doornkop. Luckily Meyerton runners who are prone to carrying out parkrun stonings), Mel Franken and Danie Dosman, left their rocks at home.
Great balls of stainless steel at the Columbus table and this year’s edition of the collectable tossing coin.
The support tables are always a highlight and go all-out to make the race a memorable one.
The view of the Loskop Dam from the top of Varadays Hill. This photo took a long time to take.
Great Scott! Found a DeLorean at the Columbus Steel table. Good thing no one called me chicken!
Looking forward to a nice long walking lunch up Varadays Hill after stocking up on supplies from the Mr. Clean table little did I know things were about to get messy – or should I say Massey)
Engage lowest gear or risk faceplanting into a cliff face.
the top of Buggers Hill – scant warning of what is to come.
There are a few tough uphills at the Loskop Marathon but it’s the plummet down Kranspoort that hurts the most. Luckily there is a sand trap to slow down overzealous runners.
How to pass the time while your winning wife has her urine tested? David and Neil make the most of weighing less than a supermodel, sharing a moment and a cocktail), on a recliner during their show-off run.
Proud to receive permanent #1579 from Olympic Gold Marathoner Josia Thugwane after 10 Loskop 50km finishes
Danie Bosman relaxes like a Bossman while Roland du Plessis was upset he could not do as he pleases when the security guards told he couldnt take his beer into the pool.
The two kilometre downhill finish continues all the way into the Adventura Resort.
False Bay 50k Ultra (Sun 07 May): Confirmed
Race DescriptionA point-to-point route from Kleinmond to Gordon’s Bay that hugs the Cape coastline along the R44 Claren’s Drive route. An ideal last long run before Comrades – and a great alternative for a Cape ultra for those not lucky enough to get a Two Oceans ballot entry.
Detailed Report-: –
Race DateSunday 07 May 2023
LocationKleinmond-Betty’s Bay, WC
Start VenueGordon’s Bay Primary School, Kleinmond
Route TypePoint-to-point
Race Websitehttp://strandac.co.za/wp/valsbaai-50km/
Contact Detailsstrandatletiekklub@gmail.com
Distance50
Online Entrieshttps://www.entryninja.com/events/78863-kia-false-bay-50-km
Pre-entries Close?
Entry FeeR305
Included Extras–
Late entriesNo –
Title sponsorKia
Permanent NumbersYes (10th finish)
How to get there from Joburg?2h flight to Cape Town and 100km (1h20m) drive from the airport to Kleinmond.
Accommodation OptionsCheck out Google for B&B and hotel options
What else to do there?https://kleinmondtourism.co.za/
https://gordonsbaytourism.com/
Normal Finishers+/- 500
Route Elevation (total climbing)472
Harry Gwala District Marathon (Sun 14 May): Confirmed
Race DescriptionNothing known about this marathon.
Detailed Report-: –
Race DateSunday 14 May 2023
LocationIxopo, KZN
Start VenueR612 Highflats – Umzimkhulu College
Route TypePoint-to-point
Race Website–
Contact Detailstgumede@ubuhlebezwe.gov.za
Distance42
Online Entrieshttps://www.eventtiming.info/entryonline.php?id=325
Pre-entries CloseMonday 01 May 2023
Entry FeeR350
Included ExtrasShirt (first 1,500 entries)
Late entriesYes (R50 extra for late entries)
Title sponsorHarry Gwala Municipality www.harrygwaladm.gov.za/
Permanent NumbersNo
How to get there from Joburg?600km (6h30). N3 to Pietermaritzburg and then head into the country or fly to King Shaka and 165km (2h) drive.
Accommodation Options?
What else to do there??
Normal Finishers+/- 300
Route Elevation (total climbing)535
Great Lake Marathon (Sat 27 May): Unconfirmed
Race DescriptionThis is a simple straight-line out-and-back route from Chrissiesmeer, an authentic one horse, 200 tractor town (most of the tractors belonging to Randall’s Ranch and Tractor Museum). On the way out there is a continual slow poison climb all the way to the eight kilometre mark, one speedbump between 15 and 17 kilometres and then, with the neighbouring town of Carolina in sight, a nasty little incline to the turnaround point. On the way home this translates as three kilometres of climbing to get to the 25k mark, which is shortly thereafter followed by a relentless seven kilometre pull to 34k. The good news is that you can cash in on your opening eight kilometre investment with a lovely long downhill finish.
Detailed ReportGreat Lake Marathon (Top secret marathon running): http://runningmann.co.za/2020/02/20/great-lake-marathon/
Race DateSaturday 27 May 2023
LocationChrissiesmeer, Mpu
Start VenueChrissiesmeer Lodge
Route TypeOut-and-back
Race Website–
Contact Detailsyolanda.r@vodamail.co.za   
Distance42
Online Entries?
Pre-entries Close?
Entry Fee?
Included Extras–
Late entries? –
Title sponsorNone
Permanent NumbersNo
How to get there from Joburg?250km (3h) drive east
Accommodation OptionsStay at the start: Lake Chrissiesmeer Lodge
What else to do there?Explore Mpumalanga’s grasslands and wetlands region. Go fishing, birding or frogging in the largest freshwater lake in South Africa, Lake Chrissie.
Normal Finishers+/- 100
Route Elevation (total climbing)355
Signing out
You’ll never go thirsty in Chrissiesmeer.
police
Truth be told, the Pink Flamingo, is sells takeaways and basic supplies. They do sell drinks but I didnt check whether they serve cocktails.
Lake Chrissie, the largest freshwater lake in the country and home to 20,000 breeding flamingos, is one of South Africas best kept secret. The only better kept secret is the Great Lake Marathon.
June
Comrades Marathon (Sun 11 Jun): Confirmed
Race Description90 very hilly kilometres between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.
Detailed ReportComrades Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Run: http://runningmann.co.za/2018/08/24/comrades-strangelove-2018/
Race DateSunday 11 June 2023
LocationPietermaritzburg-Durban, KZN
Start VenueDurban City Hall
Route TypePoint-to-point
Race Websitehttps://comrades.com/
Contact Detailsinfo@comrades.com
Distance89
Online EntriesClosed
Pre-entries CloseClosed
Entry FeeR1,200
Included ExtrasShirt, Goodie Bag
Late entriesNo –
Title sponsorNone
Permanent NumbersYes (10 finishes)
How to get there from Joburg?600km (6h) drive or 1h flight to Durban and 35km drive from King Shaka Airport.
Accommodation OptionsCheck out Google for B&B and hotel options
What else to do there?Plenty of tourist options in and around Durban: http://visitdurban.travel/
Normal Finishers+/- 16000
Route Elevation (total climbing)1259
Just a marathon to go. It’s doesn’t matter how much training you’ve done, you’re hurting at this points. This is when psychologically your mind starts playing games with you. It just seems unbelievably long and far to get to the finish. And that is where most people pull out of Comrades.
Are you rewarding yourself for getting to the start line?
Enjoying a beer at the last Fourways support table in Camperdown at the Comrades 2019 Up run.
The light at the end of the tunnel is the intention for all 2020 entrants to receive preferential, discounted entry fees if possible.
Managed to get a photo with an old windbag as well as a piper from the SA Legion along the Comrades Wall of Honour.
Hollywood Bets do a great job of the halfway mark table at Comrades. Thankfully they don’t offer spread-betting on finish times (if they ever do, my tip is to go long – very long – on my time).
A bit of finish line fun at Comrades. Amazing how 90km of pain disappears the second you enter the stadium.While taking the first photo above, I got chirped by the announcers, Gordon Graham and Arnold Geerdts, so I invited them to join me for a photo!
The contrast between the two schools provides a good metaphor for the differences in South African society – but it also highlights the inclusivity of road running. I find both these sections to be route highlights: The emotional cheering going past the Ethembeni School (just before the marathon mark in Inchanga) is really humbling (and one gets a power-up with every enthusiastic high-five received from the kids) whereas the fervent cheerleading at Kearsney College gives one a real boost before hitting the final 30kms.
Another Comrades sunrise.
This photographic genius managed to make uphills looks like downs (notice everyone is walking). I need to find him to do a virtual reality shoot before the Up run next year.
Managed to get a photo with an old windbag as well as a piper from the SA Legion along the Comrades Wall of Honour.
If you forgot your gloves and discarded your warm top too early at Comrades, you can have a quick warm up by an open fire. I expect that some serious braaiing occurred here shortly afterwards!
Xolani Luvuno was given special dispensation by the CMA to start five hours earlier than the rest of us. His story is an amazing one – he’s a former convict and recovering drug addict who lost his leg to cancer. A good Samaritan, Hein Venter (the man he now calls ‘father’), found him living under a bridge and saved him from a life on the streets. The CMA gave Xolani 17 hours but he needed less than 16 to get to Durban. They say Comrades will humble you but Xolani Luvuno humbled all of us.
There are many inspirational runners at Comrdades including blind runner Rethabile Taunyane and his pilot Moshe Ngobe.
The lady who took this picture cut the “D” out of “Drummond”. She is either a raging alcoholic or strategic genius. Although Drummond is the Comrades halfway mark, the hills here bite the hardest. Next year I will be imagining that Captain Morgan is standing at the top offering us all “Rummond Coke”. Thanks random supporter lady with limited photographic abilities!
I normally spot my friend Adloph somewhere along the Comrades route – it’s easy to do so as he is one of the tallest runners in the field (as you can see in the photos). This year it was at the 41km to go mark – it’s a great psychological boost knowing that there’s “less than a marathon to go now”! For those who’ve never run Comrades, the marker boards count down and have a temperature gauge which “cool down” as you get closer to the finish.
Big 5 Marathon (Sat 17 Jun): Confirmed
Race DescriptionA hilly but very beautiful and unique marathon experience in the Big 5 Entabeni Game Reserve.
Detailed ReportBig 5 Marathon (Entabeni Game Reserve): http://runningmann.co.za/2022/08/19/big-5-marathon-entabeni/
Race DateSaturday 17 June 2023
LocationEntabeni Game Reserve
Start VenueEntabeni Game Reserve, Lim
Route TypeCircular
Race Websitehttps://big-five-marathon.com/
Contact Detailsinfo@adventure-marathon.com
Distance42
Online Entriesinfo@adventure-marathon.com
Pre-entries Close?
Entry Fee?
Included ExtrasSaturday 00 January 1900
Late entries? –
Title sponsorNone
Permanent NumbersNo
How to get there from Joburg?350km (4h) north along the N1.
Accommodation OptionsStay in one of the lodges within the reserve.
What else to do there?Take some time off and enjoy seeing the wildlife you missed on your run from the comfort of guided game drive.
Normal Finishers+/- 100
Route Elevation (total climbing)?
My better half before running the half – Little did she know what she was in for!
Going straight to the pool room!
With the Running Mann hot on his heels, Claus didn’t have time to stop and wonder why the Blesbok crossed the road…
The Entabeni Monolith Dominates the route.
This doesn’t do justice to the steepness of the hill which is at a 43 degree angle at the steepest points.
Well-stocked water tables out in the wild.
Fresh lion spoor… fortunately heading in the opposite direction
A personalised welcome home.
Enjoying a leisurely pace through the Big 5 game reserve.

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