Bennet Seloyi and Lavinia Haitope were the big winners at the sixth Region 5 marathon presented on Sunday, one November 2026 at the Union Buildings complex in Pretoria.
Seloyi from South Africa won the men's 21.1 km half-marathon in one:04:39, while Namibia's Haitope claimed the women's title in one:14:41.
More than 5,200 elite and social runners participated in the various races this year. The regional championship included 90 athletes from six countries, namely South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi and Namibia.
History of the Region 5 marathon
This annual road race is presented under the banner of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5. The aim is to promote road racing and athletics in southern Africa and to give athletes from the region the opportunity to compete at an international level.
The African Union Sports Council Region 5 originated from the former Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCSA) Zone VI. This sporting structure forms part of the African Union's regional framework for sports development.
The marathon was held for the sixth time this year and the second consecutive year that Pretoria served as host city. The race returned in 2025 after the event experienced a break of five years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Besides the 21 km, 10 km and five km races, there was also an invitation race of one mile (1.6 km) for athletes with disabilities.
Seloyi and Haitope win the half-marathon
Seloyi put in a strong performance in the men's 21.1 km to claim victory in one:04:39.
Kenyan athlete Stephen Ngigi Kangethe, who competed individually in the mass race, initially took the lead. However, Seloyi fought back in the final section of the race and overtook Kangethe.
Kangethe finished second in one:04:59, while Namibia's Simon Matias was third in one:05:25.
After the race, Seloyi said he had already run a marathon in Kimberley the previous week and used Pretoria mainly as preparation to improve his pace.
In the women's division, Haitope improved on her second place finish from the previous year by winning the title in one:14:41.
The Namibian athlete accelerated in the final section of the challenging route to beat South Africa's Irvette van Zyl. Van Zyl, the defending champion, finished second in one:15:16. Her compatriot Karabo Mailula was third in one:15:46.
10 km: Mhlanga and Xaba win
South Africa claimed the men's and women's titles in the 10 km races.
Chris Mhlanga won the men's race in 29:48. Tiisang Molopi finished second in 29:57, with Peter Langat Cheptot third in 29:59.
Glenrose Xaba won the women's division in 33:48. Lesotho's Agnes Tjoka finished second in 35:12, while Zanele Maisa of South Africa was third in 35:34.
Five km: Tladi retains his title
Modupi Tladi successfully defended his men's five km title with a time of 13:53.
Musawenkosi Mnisi finished second in 13:56, followed by Zenzile Tumelo Pheko in 14:05. Tiisetso Malungane finished fourth in 14:18.
Carina Swiegers won the women's five km in 17:19. Mpho Katiso was second in 17:44, while Chanel Groenewald finished third in 18:13.
One-mile race for athletes with disabilities
The programme also included an invitation race of one mile (1.6 km) for athletes with disabilities.
Namibia's Roodly Gowaseb successfully defended his title with a time of 5:37. Nico Kharuxab was second in 5:41 and Angula Mateus third in 6:42.
South Africa's Humbulani Maano won the women's division in 10:38.
Collaboration and growth
The Region 5 marathon is a joint project of the African Union Sports Council Region 5, the department of sport, arts and culture, the Gauteng department of sport, arts, culture and recreation, the City of Tshwane, the Southern African Confederation of Athletics and Athletics South Africa.
The 2026 event offered total prize money of R437,000. Seloyi and Haitope each received R50,000 for their half-marathon victories.
With athletes from various southern African countries and thousands of social runners participating, the Region 5 marathon continued its place as an important road race on the region's athletics calendar.
Key results
21.1 km – Men
- Bennet Seloyi (South Africa) – 1:04:39
- Stephen Ngigi Kangethe (Kenya) – 1:04:59
- Simon Matias (Namibia) – 1:05:25
21.1 km – Women
- Lavinia Haitope (Namibia) – 1:14:41
- Irvette van Zyl (South Africa) – 1:15:16
- Karabo Mailula (South Africa) – 1:15:46
10 km – Men
- Chris Mhlanga (South Africa) – 29:48
- Tiisang Molopi – 29:57
- Peter Langat Cheptot – 29:59
10 km – Women
- Glenrose Xaba (South Africa) – 33:48
- Agnes Tjoka (Lesotho) – 35:12
- Zanele Maisa (South Africa) – 35:34
Five km – Men
- Modupi Tladi (South Africa) – 13:53
- Musawenkosi Mnisi (South Africa) – 13:56
- Zenzile Tumelo Pheko (South Africa) – 14:05
Five km – Women
- Carina Swiegers (South Africa) – 17:19
- Mpho Katiso (South Africa) – 17:44
- Chanel Groenewald (South Africa) – 18:13
SOURCES:
1. Supplied media release: Seloyi and Haitope Win Big at Region 5 Marathon.
2. Media contact information on the 90 athletes and six participating countries.
3. Official race results: Region 5 Marathon – Ultimate Live Results
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
