Destination Race: Letsgo Potch Marathon boasts top runners, great vibe and unique small-town atmosphere
As the the country's bigger Athletics South Africa (ASA) federations situated in South Africa’s metropolitan areas battle to find space for races on increasingly congested calendars, more and more events organisers are choosing to stage their road running events in smaller towns. The Letsgo Potch Marathon is one such example. Hosted in the North West town of Potchefstroom about 70km south west of Johannesburg, the first edition of the 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km took place in 2022 and has grown tremendously. Event organiser Ruben Gouws says the town needed an event like this which attracts participants from as far as Johannesburg, Rustenburg and Klerksdorp.
"The idea is to grow this event in to one of the top races in the country. Last year our total finishing count was 980 for the marathon, the 21km, the 10km and the 5km as well. So this year we are expecting 1500. Our pre-entries already at about 900 and then we’ll take an additional 600 entries on the day. Obviously we want to grow the race to be a lot bigger but we are taking it step by step."
Now in it's third year, the Comrades Qualifier which takes place on Saturday 26 October, 2024, also attracts some of South Africa's most celebrated top runners some of whom come for glory while others are simply out to enjoy the day. Home to the Potch Track club where three-time Olympian and multiple SA Champion Elroy Gelant trains, as well the West University which boasts an arsenal of the world class sprinters including the likes of Benjamin Richardson, Viwe Jingqi, Bradley Nkoana and Rogail Joseph, Gouws is spoilt for choice when it comes to drawing up a list of elite athletes to invite.
"We have some elite athletes that will be taking part as well. For example Bradley Nkoana who won a silver medal at the Olympic Games as part of the SA 4x100m relay team will participate in the 5km race just for the fun of it. Adriaan Swart who is a 4x400m Olympian will be there as well. We also have Liezel Gouws our Paralympian who is gonna do the 10km. Then we have a lot of athletes from the Potchefstroom Track Club like Luan Munnik and Christopher Swart that will participate as well."
Aside from the top runners though, the event is more about bringing the people of Potchefstroom together, while showing the town off to visitors who have made the trip to the Platteland to enjoy the small-town country atmosphere. Gouws encourages participants to make a day of it because there is lots of entertainment on offer both during and after the races.
"Let’s Go Potchefstroom is a race for the community of Potchefstroom where we try and show off the town as much as possible. There are a lot students that take part in this race which gives it a great vibe and a great atmosphere. There’s a lot of energy, especially in our event park area. We have a DJ, we have countdown timers, we have a lot of activations going one. It’s not just a normal race where you pitch up, run and go home. We have really tried to create an experience for everyone."
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