Kimberley Big Hole Marathon returns with R1.2 million prize pool

The Diamonds and Dorings Big Hole Marathon is scheduled to take place on October 24 and 25 at Kimberley Boys High School in the Northern Cape. Organizers have set a target of 5,000 participants for this year’s event, which offers R1.2 million in prize money. The races include four different distances, with the half-marathon, 10km, and 5km races occurring on Saturday, and the full 42.2km marathon scheduled for Sunday morning.

Arthur Jantjies, a recent winner of the Nelson Mandela Marathon, is set to compete in the 10km race and serves as an ambassador for the event. The marathon also functions as a qualifying event for the Comrades and Two Oceans marathons.

Weather forecasts indicate challenging conditions for participants, with Saturday temperatures expected to reach 32°C and Sunday potentially hitting 35°C with a 30% chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Organizers have emphasized the importance of hydration and monitoring for heat-related illnesses.