FUN FACTS
The Vaal Marathon was first run on 7 April 1975. 300 athletes lined up for the 35km race. It was won by G Tribe of GCH in a time of 1:59,05.
The race has been run on the first Sunday of March every year since 1975. Unfortunately, due to other races VAC decided to move the traditional race date one week earlier.
Some Highlights Achieved Over The Years Include:
20 March 1977 - First multi racial race with 800 athletes.
12 March 1978 - Nearly 1 000 athletes participated, making it the biggest standard marathon in the country.
3 March 1979 - 949 Athletes with Bruce Fordyce winning in 2:28:13.
March 1982 - New inland marathon record of 2:18 set by Patrick Nhauro.
March 1984 - Voted best organised race in (then) Transvaal.
March 1987 - Again voted best organised race in (then) Transvaal.
March 2000 - Over 4 000 athletes participated in marathon and half marathon.
March 2003 - Voted as one of the best Comrades qualifiers by Sean Falconer (Beyond 42, Issue 1 2003).
March 2004 - Guinness book of records set for the fastest marathon time pushing a baby buggy for 42.2 km by G DeScally.
March 2012 - The 17th year that the marathon is sponsored by Cape Gate.
2nd March 2014 - The 40th Anniversary running of the Vaal Marathon.
1st March 2015 - Celebrating 20 years of Cape Gate sponsorship.
3rd March 2019 - 45th Anniversary of this iconic race.
23rd February 2025 - 50th Marathon presented by runners for runners.
The race has been run on the first Sunday of March every year since 1975. Unfortunately, due to other races VAC decided to move the traditional race date one week earlier.
Some Highlights Achieved Over The Years Include:
20 March 1977 - First multi racial race with 800 athletes.
12 March 1978 - Nearly 1 000 athletes participated, making it the biggest standard marathon in the country.
3 March 1979 - 949 Athletes with Bruce Fordyce winning in 2:28:13.
March 1982 - New inland marathon record of 2:18 set by Patrick Nhauro.
March 1984 - Voted best organised race in (then) Transvaal.
March 1987 - Again voted best organised race in (then) Transvaal.
March 2000 - Over 4 000 athletes participated in marathon and half marathon.
March 2003 - Voted as one of the best Comrades qualifiers by Sean Falconer (Beyond 42, Issue 1 2003).
March 2004 - Guinness book of records set for the fastest marathon time pushing a baby buggy for 42.2 km by G DeScally.
March 2012 - The 17th year that the marathon is sponsored by Cape Gate.
2nd March 2014 - The 40th Anniversary running of the Vaal Marathon.
1st March 2015 - Celebrating 20 years of Cape Gate sponsorship.
3rd March 2019 - 45th Anniversary of this iconic race.
23rd February 2025 - 50th Marathon presented by runners for runners.