POLOKWANE – Last Tuesday afternoon marked the starting of the official countdown to the 2025 edition of Capricorn Municipality’s 2025 4-in-1 Marathon, which represents its determination to make Capricorn an active region.

The event is a Comrades and Two Oceans qualifier and will start at the rugby fields of the Peter Mokaba Stadium at 05:30 on Saturday, February 15.

Entry fees for the 42.2km, 21km, 10km and 5km races will be R300, R210, R160 and R80, respectively. Temporary licences will cost R60.

Online registrations are accepted online until February 11 at peaktiming.co.za and manual entries and race number collections will be from February 12-14 from 10:00 until 19:00 at the Polokwane Athletics Club and on February 14 until 08:00.

No registrations will be taken on race day.

At the launch that was hosted at the premises of Mercurius Motors Polokwane, CDM Mayor Mamedupi Teffo said that the main drawcard of the race is that it caters for everyone – fun runners, professional athletes, amateurs and spectators who want to come and cheer for their favourites – providing a special opportunity for each participant to have a fulfilling day of race and fun.

Teffo announced that, with this race, there is something for everyone, but above all, there are cash prizes to the value of R170 000 for those who are looking to reward themselves for the sweat.

There is also a ticket to the Comrades Marathon for elite runners who are preparing to be CDM’s ambassadors and fly its flag high at Africa’s biggest ultra-marathon.

“Ultimately, we want to make running and athletics a popular sport in our local municipalities, our towns and our villages and we are pleased that this marathon has grown to become a parent race that inspires many other fun marathons across the district.

“It has also become a national interest for runners from other districts and provinces who always look forward to the next edition because they know this municipality will never disappoint them. And that is just who we are because we are the Home of Excellence and Opportunities,” Teffo said.

According to the mayor, the past six editions were a huge success with a huge mass participation appeal of between 2 000 and 3 000 runners.

“And it’s all thanks to our partners, in particular, the Polokwane Athletics Club for the legwork in the logistical operations of our previous races, such as registrations, providing the timing systems and capturing the results.

“We have no doubt that the club will once again, do us proud and exceed the expectations of our runners with this year’s race,” Teffo said.

She thanked Mercurius Motors Polokwane for its sponsorship. “It warms our hearts to see this kind of partnership and investment. Thank you again for believing in our vision and supporting the well-being of the community you serve.”

According to Teffo, the target number for the 2025 race is 3 500 runners, and she expressed the wish that the course ahead be filled with triumphs and personal victories.