The Balwin False Bay 50 continued its growth this year attracting 1 670 entries for the 50km ultra marathon, up from 1 330 entries last year.
The event, which is traditionally held in the first week of May, has become an important fixture on the running calendar as one of the final ultra marathons that can be used to qualify for the Comrades Marathon. The 50km distance also makes it a valuable preparation run for athletes building towards Comrades.
This year also saw the introduction of the Balwin 10, a new 10km race which drew 900 entries in its first year.
Kobus Ludick, men’s club captain, said the event had again shown why it has become such an important race for the running community.
“The Balwin False Bay 50 has grown into a race that gives athletes exactly what they need at this stage of the season. For some, it is a final opportunity to qualify for Comrades. For others, it is a chance to improve their seeding or test themselves over a demanding 50km route. Despite the difficult weather conditions this year, the runners showed tremendous commitment and spirit,” Ludick said.
The False Bay 50 has built a reputation as one of the most scenic races in the Western Cape. The route starts in Kleinmond before passing through the coastal towns of Pringle Bay and Rooi Els, and finishes in Gordon’s Bay. The undulating course, combined with its coastal setting, has helped make the race increasingly popular among local, provincial and international runners.
This year, 54 international athletes took part in the event, adding to the race’s growing profile and providing a welcome boost to tourism in the area. The event supports local businesses across accommodation, transport, restaurants, coffee shops and other services.
Balwin Properties returned as the main sponsor for the second year. Organisers said the company’s involvement had played a major role in the success and growth of the race.
Ryan Kalk, Managing Director of the Balwin Foundation, said Balwin was proud to support an event that combined community participation, athletic achievement and regional tourism.
“The Balwin False Bay 50 is more than a road race. It brings people together, showcasing one of the most beautiful parts of the Western Cape. We are proud to be associated with an event that continues to grow in stature and participation, and we look forward to seeing it become an even bigger fixture on the Western Cape running calendar,” Kalk said.
Organisers said Balwin’s support had helped take the event to a new level.
“Without Balwin Properties as our main sponsor, this race would not be as successful as it has been. They have brought a new level of excitement, professionalism, awareness, marketing and participation to the event. We are confident the race will continue to grow in popularity year on year,” organisers said.
The 2026 event was not without its challenges. Strong north-westerly winds of around 50km/h, together with rain, created extremely difficult conditions for runners from the start in Kleinmond. The headwind had a clear impact on race times, with the men’s winning time around 20 minutes slower than last year, despite the same athlete successfully defending his title.
Steven George of Balwin Strand won the men’s 50km race in 3:18:24, while Carla Molinaro of Hollywoodbets won the women’s race in 3:38:15.
In the Balwin 10, Keanu Qwili of Nedbank Running Club WP won the men’s race in 31:50, while Danette Walley of Boxer AC won the women’s race in 39:00.
Organisers said staging an event of this scale requires months of planning, with many moving parts contributing to a successful race day. Despite the weather, the 2026 Balwin False Bay 50 delivered another strong edition and reinforced its position as a growing fixture on the Western Cape running calendar.
You must be logged in to post a comment.