"There's a cost to everything that we complain about" - Kgomo hits back at concerns about the rising cost of Limpopo race entry fees

Limpopo Athletics (LIMA) Athletes’ Commission Chairperson Phateng Kgomo has hit back at suggestions that race entry fees in the province are becoming too expensive for ordinary runners. In recent months, many of the province's social runners have raised their concerns about the sharp increase in race entry fees since 2022. Speaking to #TheTopRunner, Kgomo defended race organisers saying people must understand that everything costs money.

"We've got the Mapungubwe 4-in-1 marathon for example, which is funded by the government. Compare that with the Seshego ultra-marathon which is privately funded. Yet check the prize money that we pay. We pay R30 000 to the 50km winner. How else will you finance that and produce medals, a good quality T-shirt, have marshals on the road and have your hydration stations filled up? There's a cost to everything that we complain about," he explained.

Kgomo says runners must try to understand that hosting a well-organised race is a costly affair. Photo Credit: MWMedia.

While race entry fees are not fixed, events in South Africa’s northern most province generally charge an entry fee of R400 to enter a 42km event, R250 for a half marathon and around R180 to participate in a 10km race. Kgomo who wears two hats as a race organiser and the head of the body that represents the interests of all athletes in the province, says contrary to popular belief, race organiser are compassionate to needs of the running community.

"This year we (Seshego Marathon) were supposed to charge R400 (for 50km) then we said we are going down to R350 because we have a prize money sponsor. So, you can’t compare apples and bananas and say they must taste the same. That’s what we are missing, most of these events depend on those entries. On top of that you still have to pay a 10 % levy to the federation (LIMA) whether you make profit or not. Where are you going to get that? It is not about ridiculous entry fees."

Kgomo says unsponsored races like the Seshego Marathon have to use the entry fee to cover most of their costs. Photo Credit: Tumelo Mabua.

Kgomo believes that the only way for entry fees to decrease while maintaining high event organisation standards is for road running events to attract private sector support. Kgomo is appealing to Limpopo's business community to partner with them in order to keep non-government backed races afloat.

"Yes the races which are sponsored by the government (municipality) charge less because it is state money. But if you want to pay R200 to run a private event as big as Seshego, then it means we can’t afford to pay prize money. There was one year when we almost did not have money to pay the athletes but we had to fight. Also remember that the Seshego Marathon is run by a foundation (Sisonke Foundation). The foundation does not have money. It means we must put our children’s money into that to make it happen. We must learn to understand that there must always be value for money. R400 is not ridiculous. You pay more in Gauteng."