Africa’s most coveted ultra-trail race promises spectacular trails and a quality field
By Stephen Granger
uKhahlamba, the Barrier of Spears, the Dragon Mountains or, as most know it, the Drakensberg, is Southern Africa’s most formidable mountain massif, containing the highest peaks in Africa south of the Rift Valley. Forming the country divide...
Two Oceans Marathon chair upbeat about new beginnings and an end to turbulent times
Sixty-four-year-old Brackenfell-based distance runner and grandfather of two, William Christian Swartbooi, enters his second term as Two Oceans Marathon NPC Chairperson and his 10th year on the board. Being familiar with athletic trends, he is optimistic that the historic...
Kandie’s 21km time – is this a revolution?
by Stephen Granger
Kibiwott Kandie’s world record-breaking run in the Valencia Half Marathon was a remarkable feat of distance-running.
Kandie led three others across the line faster than his Kenyan compatriot Geoffrey Kamworwor’s former world record of 58 min 01 sec....
80 days to go as Cape Town Marathon sends strong message of inclusivity and...
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon broke new ground at their ‘80 days to go’ launch on Thursday (27 July) with its announcement that they had doubled the number of free entries allocated to runners who could not afford the...
It’s the old guard vs newcomers in mouthwatering contest at Cape Town Trail Marathon
The Cape Town Trail Marathon by Ryan Sandes has become an important adjunct to the main event on this weekend’s festival of distance running – Sunday’s Sanlam Cape Town Marathon – with many of the country’s top trail athletes...
Gerda Steyn’s ultra-long route to Japan
It’s 13 786 km from Durban, South Africa, to Sapporo, Japan, but Gerda Steyn will attempt to bridge the distance between the Comrades and the Olympics marathons with a few strides next Saturday, 7 August, as she goes to the...
Olympics Special – SA’s Olympics marathoners to make the most of Sapporo
By Stephen Granger
Tatjana Schoenmaker’s gold medal in the 200m breaststroke was undoubtedly the high point of South Africa’s Tokyo Olympic endeavours, while surfer Bianca Buitendag’s silver medal proved an added delight. Can the talented marathon team, currently honing their...
Mbuleli and Emma take the Two Oceans Half Marathon titles after last gasp sprint...
Mbuleli Mathanga seized the moment, played to his strengths and raced to a memorable victory in the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon this weekend (Sunday 16 April), while Potchefstroom-based Elroy Gelant was again forced to play second fiddle, beaten...
Olympics Special: Irvette Van Zyl’s remarkable comeback
By Stephen Granger
In May 2020, three-time Soweto Marathon and SPAR Grand Prix 10km series winner, Irvette Van Zyl, chose to go under the knife to relieve the nagging knee pain she had experienced ever since a scooter accident as...
Distance dreams of South African runner in tatters after Hamburg NN Mission move.
The marathon dreams of South Africa's Lesiba Precious Mashele have been extinguished by a COVID-19 logistics nightmare at the very peak of his athletic powers. The Central Gauteng athlete was to take on the NN Mission Marathon in Hamburg...