By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Elite athletes from 10 Southern African countries will compete for R437,000 in prize money at the Region 5 road running championships in Pretoria on Sunday, 1 November.
The sixth edition of the annual marathon, which will be held at the Union Buildings for the second consecutive year, will feature 21.1km, 10km and 5km races, as well as an invitation-only 1-mile (1.6km) race for athletes with disabilities.
The event, hosted by Athletics South Africa (ASA), will bring together leading regional athletes and amateur runners competing across different distances.
Organisers said that the total prize purse would be R437,000, with R50,000 allocated to the top men’s and women’s half-marathon runners respectively.
Stanley Mutoya, chief executive officer of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5, said the competition offered athletes an opportunity to test themselves against regional opposition and pursue professional opportunities.
“It provides athletes with opportunities to benchmark their performances, compete for prize money and advance their sporting careers,” Mutoya said.
“Our ambition is to develop this event into a prestigious international event that attracts top athletes, commercial investment and strengthens the region’s athletics development pathway.”
Mutoya said the event was also intended to encourage amateur participation, with the 21.1km, 10km and 5km races open to recreational runners.
“Elite runners will have an opportunity to compete against quality opposition and pursue competitive honours, while mass participation runners will enjoy a memorable experience celebrating personal achievement and active living,” he said.
ASA road running chairperson and race coordinator Enoch Skosana said the championships would allow South African athletes to compete internationally without travelling abroad.
“This race is very important for us as South Africans and it is a great initiative for our athletes across various age groups. It’s an international standard event, offering athletes the opportunity to earn world ranking points,” Skosana said.
Skosana said the championships would also form part of regional preparations for the World Athletics Road Running Championships, scheduled to take place in China in 2027.
“All logistics are in place, and we are looking forward to hosting one of the best road running races in Africa,” he said.
The Region 5 Marathon is jointly organised by AUSC Region 5, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, City of Tshwane, Southern African Confederation of Athletics and ASA, with additional support from Toyota and aQuellé.
Entries remain open, with registration costing R80 for the 5km race, R150 for the 10km race and R200 for the 21.1km half-marathon.
Participants can register online at the official entry portal.
Race-day programme – Sunday, 1 November
- 7am: 10km and 21.1km races start
- 7.20am: 5km race starts
- 10am: Invitation-only 1-mile race starts
- 11.30am: Prize-giving ceremony
Race enquiries can be directed to 076 307 1212 or 082 825 8001.
