Seshego Unleashes Spirit and Speed: Limpopo Gears Up for Thrilling Marathon Extravaganza

By Mpho Dube-Editor in Chief

As the sun cast its warm glow over Polokwane on Thursday, 11 September 2025, the anticipation was palpable – the Seshego Marathon, a beacon of sporting excellence and community celebration in Limpopo, was just days away from unfurling its thrilling tapestry.

The Seshego Marathon Organizing Committee, in harmonious partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS), was gearing up to host an event that promised to weave together threads of athletic prowess, community spirit, and unbridled enthusiasm.

Picture this: Sunday, 14 September 2025. The dusty streets of Seshego would transform into a vibrant mosaic of movement and colour as thousands of runners, each with their own story of dedication and grit, converged upon the area.

Spectators of all ages, clad in cheering gear and armed with vuvuzelas, would swell the roadsides, their infectious energy propelling the athletes forward. It was more than a marathon – it was a celebration of human potential, a testament to what communities can achieve when they come together in pursuit of fitness and festivity.

The SAPS National Half Marathon Championships 2025 and Your Kasi Mania 2025 would take centre stage, showcasing two distance challenges that would push participants to their limits. The darkness of early morning would shroud Mankweng as elite runners gathered for the 50km Ultra Marathon, set to kick off at 05h30 – a true test of endurance for those brave enough to tackle the ultra-distance.

Meanwhile, back at Seshego Stadium, 1 000 competitors would be capped for the 21.1km Half Marathon, their collective surge onto the roads at 06h00 a sight to behold, embodying determination mingled with exhilaration.

Adding weight to the occasion would be Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo. With gracious words of encouragement, she would address the assemblage of athletes, infusing them with motivation as they embarked on their respective journeys – journeys not just of physical conquest but of camaraderie and personal triumph.

Of course, with such a spectacle unfolding, careful planning was paramount – particularly regarding the flow of traffic. Temporary road closures would be a necessary part of ensuring safety and seamless mobility. Nelson Mandela Drive’s left lane from Polokwane town would be closed until 12h00, and the R71’s left lane from Boyne would be similarly restricted until 10h00.

Motorists were urged to plot alternative routes with patience and understanding, contributing to the event’s harmonious execution.

Safety was woven tightly into the fabric of the marathon’s planning.

Members of SAPS, shoulder-to-shoulder with vigilant traffic officials and dedicated race marshals, would deploy strategically along the routes – managing the ebb and flow of traffic, standing guardian over athletes, and extending helpful hands to the public whenever needed. And should medical care be required, emergency teams stood poised like sentinels, ready to spring into action with care and swiftness.

As the Seshego Marathon Organizing Committee and SAPS breathed life into this beautiful event, they extended an open invitation to members of the media. “Come capture the essence,” they said – “the sweat, the smiles, the spirit. Share with the world the infectious energy of Seshego’s marathon, where community and competition coalesce into something truly special.”

And so, with days ticking away, Seshego hummed quietly in anticipation. The runners trained harder, the organizers fine-tuned details with precision, and the community rallied with infectious excitement. Sunday, 14 September 2025, loomed as a date with destiny – a date where athletic dreams would unfurl against the backdrop of Limpopo’s warm embrace, safety and celebration walking hand in hand.

The Seshego Marathon was ready to unfurl its beauty; the community was ready to cheer; and thousands were ready to run.

For inquiries:

- Seshego Marathon Organiser: Phateng Kgomo (082 958 4025)

- SAPS Media Liaison: Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba (082 565 6524), Limpopo SAPS