Pick and choose from this race line-up

And anything you can do to ensure the run is painless is a smart tactic. So why run through the ordinary streets of your home town when you can race through stunning scenery in the Lowveld?

As the marathon season begins, consider this list of the best local races to inspire you to lace up and get training.

1. UNIWISP 3-in-1 fast marathon
It is hosted by Nelspruit Marathon Club and all races will start on the Sabie/Lydenburg road and end at the Mbombela Stadium. Medals to all finishers and a fast qualifier for Comrades Marathon. A celebrity comrades guest runner will also be at the race. Lucky draw and hotspot bonuses for the 42,2km and 21,1km.
Venue: Mbombela Stadium
Date: March 5
Time: 06:00
Distances: 42,2km, 21,1km and 10km
Contact details: www.uniwispmarathon.co.za

2. York Longtom ultra marathon, marathon and half marathon
For the first time in its illustrious history the format of this race has changed. It’s no longer a point-to-point race over the pass. Instead, the course features an out and back event, finishing in Sabie. The Long Tom has experienced mixed fortunes over the years but with a new look it will have longevity. Tables are well-appointed and the festivities at the end rival any big race on the calendar. The race will be run for the 27th time this year. Walkers are welcome to participate in the half marathon.
Venue: York Corporate Offices, finish York Sports Ground
Date: March 19
Time: 06:00
Distance: 55km, 42,2km and 21,1km
Contact details: adventure@york.co.za

3. Bateleur Estate
Participate in remembrance day, honouring someone you have loved and lost. Bring a photo of your loved one for our remembrance wall. Bateleur Estate, Nelspruit is a 200Ha lifestyle estate with retirement facilities nestled in an idyllic Lowveld lanscape. There is a race for everyone, 10km or 21km. Get your running shoes on and join in the fun.
Venue: Bateleur Estate, The Rest
Date: March 26
Time: 06:00
Distance: 21,1km and 10km
Contact details: lvccrun@gmail.com

4. Sudwala Screaming Monster half-marathon
The Sudwala Screaming Monster is a half-marathon. This isn’t an easy route. It involves a climb to the top of the pass and into the Sudwala Caves, It is mountain goat heaven. Just when you think you must be at the top, you go even further up, and when you run out of road, there’s still a little bit more steep climbing up to the cave itself. An amazing treat waits for you at the top, though, as you get to run inside the Sudwala cave, entering the awe-inspiring space, which is millions of years old, at an altitude of around 200m. Accommodation is available at the finish venue, but hurry as places run out fast.
Venue: Sabie Lodge
Date: April 30
Time: 07:00
Distance: 21,1km
Contact details: Jurgen Halbrich on 083-290-0678.

5. Selati 2-in-1
This is a moderate and scenic race. Around 8km of the 21.1km race is run along the Crocodile River, which overlooks the Kruger Park. Starting at the Rugby club, the route passes the golf course, before turning back at the sugar factory and running along the Crocodile River. Unique Fact: Expect great water points, T-shirts for all pre-entries and goodie bags for all entrants. This is a popular race among novice runners.
Venue: Malalane Rugby Club
Date: May 14
Time: 07:00
Distance: 10km and 21,1km
Contact details: Deon Valks on 082-788-0675.

6. Take a step for children
The race follows a scenic route, through the Lowveld Botanical Gardens and The Riverside Precinct. Medals will be awarded to all finishers, as well as lucky draw prizes. Walkers are welcome. This race will be run for the sixth time in 2016. Wheelchairs are welcome.
Venue: Riverside Mall
Date: June 11
Time: 07:00
Distance: 10km and 4,9km
Contact details: Craig Lewis on 073-665-6881.

7. Legogote Villagers 3-in-1
This race is hosted by White River Legogote Villagers. It takes the runners out into the beautiful countryside amongst the small holdings on the outskirts of the town. It is an out and back race with half being run on tar and the other half on dirt roads. It is a challenging route with uphills and downhills all the way. Legogote Mountain is visible at various spots throughout the race. It is a well organised race with good waterpoints and a lovely finish.
Venue: White River Rugby Club
Date: July 16
Time: 07:00
Distance: 21,1km, 10km and 4,9km
Contact details: Amanda Wessels on 084-583-6945.

8. Skukuza Castle Lager
A unique race run in a unique place. The Kruger Park half marathon is held in and around the small staff village of Skukuza in the heartland of one of Africa’s greatest wildlife refuges – the Kruger National Park. Most athletes find the course challenging and are surprised by its undulating nature. There are numerous short but significant climbs and dips and the course alternates between tarmac and graded gravel roads. Temperatures can be expected to be high but being August there is often a fresh breeze to cool hot, sweaty bodies.
Venue: Skukuza
Date: August 6
Time: 08:30
Distance: 21,1km
Contact details: Martie Oosthuizen on 082-680-3864.

9. Selati Kaftan
Walkers are welcome. You do not just run the Kaftan – you experience it! The 10-kilometre event starts with the half marathon. The fun run is held to promote and encourage running. This is an ideal race to incorporate in your holiday to the Lowveld and the Kruger Park, or just make a fun bushveld weekend of it. Confirm details with the organisers.
Venue: Malalane Rugby Club
Date: August 13
Time: 07:00
Distance: 21,1km and 10km
Contact details: Deon Valks on 082-788-0675.

10. Boulders
This wonderfully scenic and unique race is run through the Crocodile Gorge Conservancy on the old Mara Road. The course starts with a steep and challenging seven-kilometre climb as you run up the Crocodile Gorge Mountains and onto the plateau. There is some respite here as the route flattens out before the steep descent towards Kaapmuiden. The race crosses the De Kaap River in the closing kilometres before the finish. The route is tarred all the way.
Venue: Mara turn off
Date: September 24
Time: 06:00
Distance: 25km and 10km
Contact details: Deon Valks on 082-788-0675.

11. Graskop Buildit God’s Window 2-in 1
This race is a must do for all runners and walkers! It is set in one of the most beautiful areas of our country. The organisation is superb and it is an enjoyable day out for runners and their families. It is a fairly tough route but the scenery more than makes up for any
discomfort. It starts just outside the caravan park and takes runners along the Graskop/Ohrigstad road where the going is relatively easy and pleasantly undulating. The route then turns right into God’s Window and then the real work begins – a 7km climb to the top of the hill. A good time to walk and enjoy the view! However, what goes up must come down and the downhill section that follows is most welcome. The scenery on this race is spectacular and often there is morning mist just to add to the ambiance.
Venue: Graskop Caravan Park
Date: October 1
Time: 07:00
Distance: 21,1km and 10km
Contact details: Amanda Wessels on 084-583-6945.

12. Ehlanzeni sport and tourism day
Venue: Mbombela Stadium
Date: October 15
Time: 06:30
Distance: 21,1km, 10km and 4km
Contact details: Lindi Mwala on 076-550-2979.

13. Kaapsehoop 3-in-1
The familiar and testing downhill course, which starts in the misty heights of the picturesque village of Kaapsehoop and follows a beautiful panoramic route down to Mbombela, will test the mettle of any athlete.Unique Fact: This is an early Comrades and Two Oceans 2017 qualifier. Walkers are welcome to enter the half marathon and the 10 kilometre race. Visit the old town, Kaapsehoop which is well known for its wild horses and blue swallows.
Venue: Kaapsehoop to Mbombela Stadium
Date: November 5
Time: 05:30
Distance: 42,2km, 21,1km and 10km
Contact details: Yolanda Steenkamp on 084-607-6314.