'No entries on race day' - Thembisa Mile & 10km field upped to 4000 entries as Zamokuhle Private Hospital steps up as Tier 1 Sponsor

Having celebrated a sold out event of 3500 participants in 2024, organisers of the 2035 Thembisa Mile & 10km have increased the number of entries available to runners interested in taking part in Thembisa’s premier road running event which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 26 October. This year, the race is open to a total of 4000 participants, with 3450 entries available for the 10km road race and 550 for the 1 Mile Road Race. 

"After last year's sold out edition of the race we have increased the number of entries to 4000," said Donald Mathipa who is the founder and race director of the Thembisa Mile. "We are looking forward to a good race. One thing that we must emphasise though, is that for safety and security reasons there will be no entries on the day of the race. So we advise out people to enter online."

Thousands of runners and walkers enjoying the 2024 Thembisa Mile & 10km, which took place at the Olifantsfontein Sports Ground for the after outgrowing the Moses Molelkwa Arts Centre in Thembisa. Photo Credit: Tumelo Mabua.

Backed by the Zamokuhle Private Hospital as it was last year, the race which starts and finishes at the Olifantsfontein Sports Ground and will also incorporates the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) 10km championships, has grown into one of the province’s flagship township sporting events since it was first run back in 2012. Lenmed Zamokuhle Private Hospital manager Mr Sagran Sukhessan expressed his delight at the growth of the event which started as an 8km fun run, saying they are proud to have supported the success of the Thembisa Mile since their association with the event began in 2017.

"Today marks a special milestone not only for the Thembisa Mile, but for the Lenmed Zamokuhle Hospital as well. After years of sponsoring this incredible event as a co-sponsor, we are proud to step forward as tier 1 sponsor for the 2025 running of this prestigious event. This is more than a sponsorship, it's a commitment to the health, spirit and prosperity of the people of Thembisa. Lenmed Zamokuhle is part of a family of 20 hospitals rooted in communities just like this one. Our purpose is simple but powerful: to build healthier communities. And what better way to live that purpose than by supporting an event which brings people together, celebrates movement and inspires wellness," he explained.

Mathipa with Sukhessan at the launch of the 2025 event. Photo Credit: Tumi Kekana.

Four thousand running enthusiasts are expected to take part in the race with pre - entries being available online at www.thembisamile.co.za or www.peaktiming.co.za and will close at midnight on Wednesday, 22 October 2025 or when the maximum race capacity has been reached. The registration fee for the 10km is R150 for ASA licensed athletes, while unlicensed athletes will pay an additional R60 for a temporary license. The registration fee for the 1 Mile Race is R50 for the ASA licensed athletes, with unlicensed athletes paying an additional R30 for a temporary license. For the elite athletes, the race offers a total prize purse of R114 000 (hundred and fourteen thousand Rand). The men’s and women's 10km winners will take home R10 000 each, while the invitational Mile winners will each earn R4000.