BLOEMFONTEI N- The Lemo Mangaung Marathon for 2026 is scheduled to take place in Bloemfontein on 2 May, marking the third instalment. The marathon is significant on two fronts: It continues instilling the spirit of a marathon in the Free State capital, in addition to qualifying runners for the Comrades Marathon.
This hosting continues the organiser’s effort to position the race as a premier feature in the sporting calendar.
The event features four different race distances: 42,2km, 21,1km, 10km as well as the 5km fun run. Activities start and finish at Lemo Green Park. The event makes provision for budding and seasoned runners to propel their efforts to claim the prizes at stake in the three main categories: the 42,2km, 21,1km, and 10km races.
The marathon is staged in partnership with the Centre City Titaniums Athletics Club. According to statistics of the past two instalments, of 2024 and 2025, approximately 2 600 runners had registered. Of these, roughly 500 runners participated in the full marathon, which qualifies runners for the Comrades Marathon.
The organiser awards both the first man and first woman from the Free State province crossing the finishing line R2 500 in prize money. The Bloemfontein-based runner Arouchelle Nieuwenhuis took the prize as the first Free State woman to cross the line in the 42,2km race at the inaugural edition. Chabeli Nyedimane won the prize as the winner of the half marathon.
