Two Vaal Triangle athletes, Thabiso Mosekili (Actom Athletics Club, Vanderbijlpark) and Anja Heenop (Vaal Athletics Club, Vereeniging) claimed top honours at this year’s Sasol Sasolburg Marathon finishing the 42,2 km race in 02:29:12 and 03:08:48 respectively.
Renowned for its flat, fast route, the Sasol Sasolburg Marathon once again lived up to its reputation. More than 80% of marathon participants achieved qualifying times for the prestigious Comrades Marathon, crossing the finish line under the 04:59:59 cut-off, with an average time of 04:27:21.
This year’s event attracted more than 3 600 athletes, making it one of the largest fields to take to the road in the marathon’s 31 year history. There were 768 competitors in the full marathon, 987 in the half marathon, 1 028 in the 10km and at least 820 participants in the fun run.
In the 21,2km half marathon, Tshepo Gavu, also from Actom Athletics Club in Vanderbijlpark, won in 01:07:35, equalling the 10th fastest time recorded by a South African this year. Deneke Snyman (Alberton Amateur Athletic Club) was the first woman home in 01:33:09.
The most popular distance at the Sasol Sasolburg Marathon, the 10km race, saw Modupe Tladi, an individual athlete, take victory in 31:55, while Karin-Mari Dötze (Jeppe Quondam Athletics Club) successfully defended her title with a time of 38:30, improving on her 2025 performance.
The fun run drew its biggest field yet, with more than 820 participants ranging from schoolchildren to families, and even babies in prams – highlighting the inclusive spirit of the event.
Volunteers from local businesses and organisations operated 13 water points along the route representing 13 sporting codes. As always, their service added to the festive atmosphere of the event, keeping athletes hydrated and motivated, while a team of skydivers thrilled spectators by landing in the stadium before the prize giving carrying a Sasol flag.
According to Ntokozo Gcabashe, Senior Vice President at Sasol’s Sasolburg and Natref Operations, “Sasol believes in the progress of people and a sponsorship such as the Sasol Sasolburg Marathon allows the company to contribute to enabling potential and enhancing people’s lives for the better. We were honoured to have several members of the Sasol executive committee participating, and even Sasol’s President and CEO, Simon Baloyi, not only participating in the 42,2km race, but qualifying for his eleventh Comrades Marathon”.
She continued to thank the participants and spectators, Sasolburg Athletics Club, Athletics Free State, local businesses, government, martials, officials and Sasol employees for their role in making the 2026 Sasol Sasolburg Marathon a resounding success.
Click here to view the full results of the marathon.
