"The severe flooding caused extensive damage to roads" - Foskor F21 Cancelled

Runners planning to compete in the Foskor F21 Half Marathon, scheduled to take place on 25 July 2026 at the Foskor Community Centre in Namakgale, Phalaborwa, will have to make alternative arrangements after organisers announced that the 2026 edition of the popular 21km race has been cancelled. In a letter penned to Limpopo Athletics Secretary Mr Leon Bannau, Foskor F21 Race Director Vhontsia Ramashia explains that the widespread flooding experienced in Limpopo during the first quarter of this year has damaged infrastructure and made it impossible for the Foskor Mining Company to host the event.

"Each year, Foskor fully funds the planning and implementation of the F21 Half Marathon," says the communique. "This includes infrastructure- related costs such as route maintenance, grass and field upkeep, event logistics, and other operational requirements. However, the severe flooding experienced in January 2026, which was subsequently declared a National Disaster, caused extensive damage to roads, public infrastructure, and residential areas throughout Phalaborwa, including the routes used for the F21 races. As a result, the operational requirements and associated costs for hosting the 2026 event have increased significantly."

Mosiako celebrates victory at the 2025 edition of the F21 Foskor Half Marathon which doubled as the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Half Marathon Championships. Photo Credit: Cecilia van Bers.

Taking Limpopo Athletics into their confidence, Ramashia shares that the mining company simply does not have the money to restore the roads in time for runners to enjoy a safe race. It means that the 2026 edition of the race which has been won by the likes of Glenrose Xaba, Karabo Mailula, Lucky Mohale the late Matthews Leeto, has been scrapped as the Foskor F21 Half Marathon work towards repairing the damaged infrastructure to ensure that the race can take place next year.

"Following extensive assessments and numerous efforts to explore possible solutions, it became evident that sufficient time and resources are required to restore the routes to an acceptable condition. It was therefore recommended that the F21 Half Marathon be postponed for the 2026 calendar year."

The decision comes as a blow not just to runners, but to the broader rural community of Namakgale, many of whom rely on the annual event for the role it plays in stimulating the local economy which is heavily reliant on tourism and informal trading. a\cknowledgign this, race organisers say that they work closely with the relevant authorities in making sure that they deliver a world class race when it returns in 2027.

"Our commitment is to see that the Foskor F21 returns as soon as the route can safely meet all the required engineering, licensing and safety standards. We will continue working closely with the relevant authorities and stakeholders, and we look forward to welcoming runners back when we can confidently deliver the safe, world-class event they have come to expect," says Ramashia