Alexandra residents were up bright and early as they completed IRunWithThemba’s 5km breakfast fun run — the first major community meet-up of 2026.

For many, the Saturday run was a long-awaited return to the township’s streets to do what they love. For others, it marked the first step toward their fitness resolutions for the year.

Event organiser Nkululeko Mthimkulu described the route as beginner-friendly, ensuring that everyone, from fast runners to casual walkers, could participate at their own pace.

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“When we are doing the 5km, we have the fast runners, the walkers, and some who are limited. So, it is up to you. If you want to run fast, you can join those who do.”

He added that what might feel daunting alone became surprisingly enjoyable in a group setting. “No one thought it was going to be so easy for them, but everyone finished running,” Mthimkulu said, adding that the distance felt like a piece of cake.

@caxtonjoburgnorth Watch: One of the organisers, Nkululeko Mthimkulu calls on Alex residents to join future Breakfast Fun Run following a successful 5km run that brought fitness enthusiasts and first-timers runners together. #Alex #funrun ♬ original sound Caxton Joburg North

Beyond fitness, Mthimkulu emphasised the community spirit at the heart of the event. Hosting the run in Alexandra, he said, encourages more residents to join in. “When we do it in the township, everyone who is not part of it is encouraged to do it next time. I am sure next time when we do it, it will be fully packed.”

For newcomer Cathrine Ndaba, the run was a pleasant experience. “The 5km was literally nothing. It was just like another morning of normal exercise because that is something we always do in our spare time,” she said. She appreciated the encouragement from fellow runners.

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Meanwhile, seasoned runner Oscar Mabuza pushed beyond the 5km target, joining a group that covered nearly 25km. “We covered almost 25km. It is something that we do probably every weekend,” he said. “We hit the target, we still had enough energy to continue, and we did.”

The breakfast fun run sets the tone for healthier lifestyles in 2026 and also reinforces Alexandra’s spirit of togetherness.

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