The fourth edition of the Forest Run Challenge promises to be an even more spectacular event than 2024’s race.
The popular race, which is hosted by the Sibaleka Nani Athletics Club, starts and finishes at the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) regional army base in Willow Drive, Forest Hill, on June 14.
Unlike previous years, where the race consisted of a 5km, 10km and 15km event, the 2025 edition will only have a 15km and a 5km family fun run.
The main race (15km) starts at 7am, and the 5km run follows at 7.05am.
Sibaleka Nani Athletics Club president Selby Thabethe said the race had grown bigger over the past three years.
they were expecting even greater participation in 2025.
Besides the individual prize money, clubs will also pocket cash on race day this year for the first time.
The first four athletes from the same club to cross the finish line will walk away with a team prize for their club.
“Already we have 400 entries and we think this time around we can get to 900 entries, though our goal is to reach 1,000,” Thabethe said.
“We have also seen a huge increase in participation in the 5km race, which was also a problem over the years, as people did not seem keen to run the distance.
“We are happy now that we see an interest also in the 5km race.
“With just 11 days left before race day, I am sure we will reach our target this year.
“Last year, we had just over 700 entries, so I am sure that this year we will surpass that number.
“The event will take place a week after the Comrades Marathon on Sunday, and I know that many local athletes who come back from the Comrades will use the 15km race as the recovery run.”
At this stage, it is not clear whether 2024’s men’s and women’s winners, Ikhamva Athletics Club runner Melikhaya Frans and Leigh Callaghan of the Achilles Amateur Athletics Association, will be attending this year’s event.
One to watch will be the new kid on the block, Thembelani Mbenenge of Sibaleka Nani, who recently won the Bruintjieshoogte 50km ultra marathon in Somerset East.
In April, he ran the Two Oceans he will take on his first Comrades Marathon on Sunday.
In 2024, Frans clocked a time of 46 min 38 sec and was the first male athlete to cross the finish line.
The 35-year-old was closely followed by Nedbank Running Club’s Andile Motwana in 47:16, with Lithebe Menzeleli, from Ikhamva, third in 48:08.
In the women’s race, Callaghan won the 15km race in a time of 1:00:40.
Seasoned Nedbank runner Ntombesintu Mfunzi was second in 1:01:38.
She was followed by Kayla Nell of Charlo Athletics Club in third in 1.02.10.
“This is the fourth edition. Since its inception in 2022, the race has grown tremendously over the years, not only in participation but in sponsorship as well,” Thabethe said.
“As a developing club this year, we would like to welcome our new partners, Aquelle, Cell C, the Nelson Mandela Bay department of sport and Greyhound.
“Willard Battery Xpress Mill Park has been with us for the past three years, and we appreciate that, and the Boardwalk Mall and the SANDF regional army base.
“In the future, we are looking to include longer distances in the race, like a marathon.”
Entries are open for the 15km race, at R140 for a licensed athlete, R190 for an unlicensed runner, and R50 for the 5km race.
The Herald
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