'We want to raise R50 000 for Thembisa AC's Development Fund' - Mathipa upbeat as entries open for 2025 Thembisa Mile

Registrations for Thembisa's premier road running event, the Thembisa Mile with Lenmed Zamokuhle Private Hospital incorporating the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) 10km championships which takes place on Sunday, 26 October 2025 are OPEN. The race which comprises a street Mile (1609m) and a 10km mass participation event, will start and finish at the Olifantsfontein Sports Ground in Olifantsfontein. Founder and Race Director Donald Mathipa says as has become the norm, proceeds from the 2025 Thembisa Street Mile will go towards supporting promising young athletes in Ekuruhleni's biggest township.

Thousands enjoyed #TheRunningParty in 2024 and those proceeds went to supporting the Thembisa Athletic Club's various development initiatives. Photo Credit: Tumi Kekana.

"The primary objective of Thembisa Athletic Club is development. Us road runners are the cherry on top. And for that reason, last year we managed to raise R33 000 for the club, some of which also came through voluntary donations made to our Thembisa Athletic Club Development Fund. When athletes register for the race, they've got an option to donate to the club, which they did and we raised about R7 000 for the club. The money helps the guys for their two training camps in June and December. The goal is to reach R50 000."

Proceeds from Thembisa Mie go towards supporting the club's legion of youth and junior athletes. Photo Credit: Central Gauteng Athletics.

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. 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. Participation in the Elite Mile is by Invitation only. 

The race, which was dominated by the Track Potch Club in 2024 as Elroy Gelant won the men's 10km race and Luan Munnik took the Men's Elite Mile title, 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. SPAR Vouchers will be given to the top three boys and girls in the U10, U13 and U15 age group categories for the 1 Mile Race. 

Elroy Gelant celebrates victory in the 10km event at the 2024 Thembisa Mile. Photo Credit: Tumi Kenana.

"The nucleus of our race has always been the elite athletes, more especially because some of us tasted a little bit of elite running but we could not make it that far," explained Mathipa who is the owner of a 1:05:11 half marathon best and trained alongside 2012 Comrades Marathon champion Ludwick Mamabolo.

"It always pains me when athletes are winning prizes but the prize money cannot even buy a pair of running shoes. It’s one of the reasons that informed our decision to increase the prize money from R5000 in 2023 to R10 000 last year. It also makes our race competitive with those around us, especially because most of the winners come from our townships, so we thought why not pay something competitive in our own backyard."

Mathipa shakes hands with Lenmed Zamokuhle Private Hospital's Mahlatse Mathebula when the hospital was announced as the event's new headline sponsor. Photo Credit: Tumi Kenana.

Entries are 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. Enter online at www.thembisamile.co.za or www.peaktiming.co.za