After a five-year breather (no, not from running, just the event), the Gert Sibande 3-in-1 Marathon made a bold and beautiful comeback this past Saturday, and let’s just say, the streets of Ermelo have never seen this much Lycra, energy drinks, or proud sweat!
Over 700 runners from all over South Africa (and a few bold neighbours) hit the roads in a colourful celebration of fitness, fun, and a little friendly competition. The event offered three race options: 42.2 km, 21.1 km, and 10 km. It gave everyone a reason to celebrate: whether it was for winning, finishing, or just showing up and not fainting. 😅
From left: Cllr Nomkhosi Zulu MMC for Community and Social Services at GSDM, Cllr Thembi Khumalo MMC for Planning and Economic Development in Mkhondo Local Municipality, Ms Segwana Tladi 2025 winner of the 42.2km GSDM 3-IN-1 Marathon 2025 and Cllr Busisiwe Mkhwanazi MMC for Special Programmes at GSDM.
New Marathon Royalty Crowned
Flying the flag for KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, Mbuti Mollo (Maxed) and Segwana Tladi (Bellas) stole the spotlight in the men’s and women’s marathon, walking away with R5000 each, not bad for a morning jog!
In the half-marathon, it was Simon Sibeko (Maxed Elid, KZN) who powered through to claim the men’s title, while Thembinkosi Mavuso took the junior win. Naledi Mazibuko (Top Runners) pulled a double take, scooping both the women’s open and junior titles. Now that’s how you run your race!
Over at the 10 km sprint, the medals were just as hotly contested:
Samkelo Ngobese (Bellas) bagged the men’s open title.
Music Tshela (Top Runners) hit the right notes among junior men.
And once again, a double-win came from Tshepang Mazibuko (Top Runners), who breezed through both the women’s open and junior categories. Talk about running the show!
Mayor’s Words & Local Wins
Gert Sibande District Municipality’s Executive Mayor, Cllr Walter Mngomezulu, couldn’t hide his pride. “This marathon is more than just a race, it brings people together, supports local businesses, and puts Ermelo on the map for all the right reasons,” he said.
And he’s not wrong, from hotels to hawkers, the town enjoyed a weekend of full bookings, good business, and great vibes. Volunteers, vendors, and even traffic officers played their part in ensuring a safe and seamless event.
Looking Ahead: 2026, Here We Come!
As the medals get hung and the running shoes rest (for now), GSDM is already thinking about making 2026’s event even bigger. If this year’s buzz is anything to go by, Ermelo might just need a bigger start line!
A big thank you goes out to all sponsors, volunteers, staff, local businesses, safety teams, and yes, even those drivers stuck in traffic for a bit. Your patience kept runners safe and race day smooth.
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