Lemo Mall Marathon (A Mangaung Resurrection)

[Marathon #281 / Unique Marathon #172 / 3 May 2025]

The first weekend of May is last chance saloon for many aspirant Comrades runners who still need to qualify and for those who’ve already secured their goal time it’s a last long run. There is a small minority, yours truly included, for whom the weekend provides a good excuse to run a marathon before winter properly sets in.

My choice of which marathon to run before the winter doldrums was made easier when I got an invite from Teboho Lemao to the second edition of the Lemo Mall Marathon. My frequent travel partners Julian and Farai were also on the guest list but unfortunately I was not able to travel early on Friday with them due to work commitments.

I arrived in Bloemfontein as the sun was setting and went straight to the expo. I was impressed with the size and scale of the setup in the state of the art Lemo Green Park conference facility. However, it was the weight of the goodie bag that took my breath away. This was a goodie bag so heavy that it tested your upper body strength (and I did suggest that the organisers donate their leftovers to Two Oceans). Having run the Makoro Village Marathon the previous weekend (where I was taught basic Sepedi, I asked “Did everyone get the Super White maize meal or just the lekgowas?”)

The race shirt was also a lovely unique design that is in high rotation (my favourite race shirts get airport usage meaning I wear them when I travel to show off a unique marathon and this is one of them). Another special touch was being given a personalised #281 bib for my 281^st marathon.

On being introduced to Teboho, I told him I was impressed with the set up and he offered me some food and drink in the VIP section upstairs. That was an offer that this tired and weary traveller was not going to refuse. He led me through the kitchen area which was like a movie scene with people in chefs’ outfits walking around with large knives and cleavers and I got slightly concerned that the suspended AFS president, Steven Swarts*, would jump out from behind a counter and say, “Running Mann, we need to talk…”

* These articles, Convicted Rapist Runs Athletics Free State (ASA backs rapist; Athletes suspended for raising concerns) and ASA Happy to let Rapist Run Loose Amongst Vulnerable Young Athletes (Normalising Rape Culture in South Africa), helped get Swarts, a convicted rapist still serving a suspended sentence, suspended after AFS ignored and suspended the whistle blowers.

It was a chilly morning which was made more bearable with some warm conversation with Claus Kempen at the start. Claus was not originally planning to run but another bus driver had pulled out at the last minute and Claus had agreed to carry the flag in his stead.

Winter had already set into Bloemfontein but the runners kept warm by huddling together and singing and dancing as you can see below.

As for how the local supporters in Bloemfontein keep warm on a freezing cold morning, there is one very logical and obvious answer: they braai!

This above photo was taken just after 7am. It’s always braai time in the Free State and you should never make assumptions. I asked what time the meat would be ready and was told that it already was – and was also offered a piece of boerewors to get me through the rest of the marathon. 

There are other clear signs that you are in Bloemfontein like the one below (which should not be confused with some random guy asking, “Is jy bang vir my slang?” or sending you unsolicited pictures of his slang which requires a completely different kind of warning label).

I spotted another interesting sign on the industrial segment of the route towards the end. Things are definitely a little different in the States, I imagine that Free State Transformers is a mod that turns your bakkie into a braai.

The tables along the route were frequent and excellent. I got really excited when I spotted the Castle Lite table. My assumptions got the better of me again. When I asked if they had Castle Lite to quench a thirsty marathon runner’s cravings I was told, “Sorry, we only have water.” I was about to accuse them of false advertising when I thought better and replied, “Isn’t that the same thing?”

However, there is good news for thirsty runners in future years. You’ll be pleased to note that you can buy some cheap Castle Heavy just a few hundred metres from the finish line. On that note, it’s time for a visit to the fridge so I’d better finish this report.

There were 2600 runners entered across all distances which included about 500 in the marathon. This makes the Lemo Mall both the biggest running event and largest marathon in central South Africa. The hosting club is Centre City Titaniums AC and Teboho is hoping to make this event the centrepiece of central South African road running, “we are planning for sustainable, gradual growth for the event and are earmarking 2030 as the year to reach 10000 entries.”

Amongst the entrants and invited guest runners this year were many well-known names including Louis Massyn, Nkosikhona Mhlakwana, Sipho Marima, Fundiswa Ngxishe, Shaun Meiklejohn, Teboho Sello, Masibulele ‘FitMasi’ Mkhundlu, Faria Razona and of course Julian Karp.

Teboho credits Mr. Freddie Kenney (Kenworth Group Chairman) and owner of the Lemo Mann for the rise of the Lemo Mall Marathon, “Mr. Kenney is a Bloemfontein born and bred businessman who believes in giving back to the community that has supported his business since formation. He strongly believes that communities can do things for themselves as long as there is collaboration and common vision. He is committed to creating a national race in the interest of the people of Mangaung.”

I found the route both interesting and diverse. Teboho explained that this was by design, “The marathon is fundamentally hosted to boost the Kasi (township) economy. We showcase the diversity of the city and its people as the races start and end in the township but goes through both the township and southern suburbs.” The route also purposefully “goes past Maphikela House (the birthplace of the African National Congress) in Batho Location as well as the National Women’s Monument (a commemoration to the Afrikaans woman and children who suffered and died in concentration camps during the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902.”

With the start being at Lemo Mall there is tons of parking. The entire route is run at an altitude between 1375 and 1475m with just 294m of elevation gain. You start with a nice easy downhill before heading out in a westerly direction.

Although there are no real hills to speak of, there is a steady slow poison climb from 6km to 19km which also marks the highest and most westerly point on the route. After that you loop through the suburbs until the 28km mark and then head back east to the finish at Lemo Mall.

I popped into the Green Park facility to observe the prize giving for the shorter distances – if you are a speedster then this is definitely a race you want to podium in. They really took prize giving to the next level with an Oscar Awards level of glitz.

Bloemfontein is in the geographic centre of South Africa. As I walked back to my car for the four hour drive home, I did realise that there was one downside with having such a vibrant and glamorous event on the running calendar – I can no longer joke about Bloemfontein being the dead centre of South Africa.

Thanks to the Teboho Lemao and the Lemo Mall Marathon organisers for the complimentary entry and covering my accommodation costs.

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