"I want to see the race celebrate its 100th milestone" - All systems go for 2026 Thembisa Mile

Already one of the country's leading mile races and a magnet for top runners, Thembisa Mile Founder and Race Director Donald Mathipa's long-term vision is to see the event reach its 100th milestone, even if he is no longer around to witness it. Mathipa and his team launched the 2026 edition of the race at headline sponsor Lenmed Zamokuhle Private Hospital's headquarters in Thembisa on August 27, with preparations well under way for the October 25 event.

"I want to see this race celebrating its 100th milestone, even in my absence. Just like Comrades Marathon is doing next year."

Mathipa wants to see the Thembisa Mile celebrate its centenary. Photo Credit: Lifutso Mabua.

First held on December 3, 2012, with fewer than 300 runners, the race, which grew out of Thembisa AC’s weekly time trial, has evolved into a major fixture on the running calendar, with Mathipa expecting a sold-out field of 5 000 athletes. Though Mathipa is happy with the race's continued growth, he acknowledged that this brings greater demands and believes the race will eventually need a broader support structure to reach its full potential.

"Ever since moving from Moses Molelekwa Art Centre to the Olifantsfontein Sports Grounds, the race has been sold out. We are expecting 5 000 people on race day and sold-out fields in both the Mile events and 10km race. As the race grows, it becomes complex. We will need people with expertise to help in some of the areas. We are still able to manage it, but in the long term, we are going to need people to partner with us to deliver a big brand," Mathipa told #TheTopRunner.

The 2026 elite field is already taking shape, with women's mile record holder Karabo More and 2025 men's champion Abednico Choba confirmed to return and defend their titles. The 10km field will also feature serious firepower, with men's record holder Elroy Gelant and this year's Comrades Marathon women's runner-up Nobukhosi Tshuma set to compete. The winners of the 10km will walk away with R10 000 each and R4 000 in the Mile. Mathipa believes the rewards remain an important way of recognising athletes' performances.

Elite athletes Desmond Mokgobu, Philemon Mathiba, Best Ngwenya, Gladwin Mzazi, Lucky Mohale and Nobuhle Nobukhosi Tshuma pose with Mathipa. Photo Credit: Lifutso Mabua.

"I almost made it as an elite athlete. I know the pain of running a 10km race and getting prize money that can't even buy a pair of running shoes. Things are expensive. We need to reward good performances. This is the little we can afford to say thank you for a job well done," he explained.

Boxer Athletics Club's Gladwin Mzazi, who competed in the inaugural mile in 2012, thanked Mathipa for growing the event. "We started way back in 2012 when it was only a mile. I still had good speed and would finish in the top five. But now, in 2026, the race has grown and it's important for us as elite runners to keep supporting it,” said Mzazi who made his comrades Marathojn debut in June.

Nedbank Running Club's Lucky Mohale, winner of the first 10km in 2014, also remains a regular at the event which is run in the township he calls home. "I was happy to run here at home. I initially had my doubts because of taxis on the road, but it went well due to the presence of EMPD on the route. It has become one of my favourite events. I won it in 2014 and I make sure I participate every year."

Mabilo praised Mathipa and his team for using the race to develop the next generation of top runner. Photo Credit: Lifutso Mabua.

CGA President Karabo Mabilo praised the race for combining elite competition with athlete development. "What I love about this race is the type of athletes it attracts. It's not just limited to the elites. It also brings the talent we don't know. There are lots of children looking at elites like Gladwin Mzazi, Elroy Gelant and Karabo More and saying, 'If they can do it, so can I.' That's what we are all about as CGA. Our objective is to develop athletes, and that’s exactly what the Thembisa Mile does."