About the race
The Jacaranda City Challenge is a Pretoria road race with four distances: a 42.2 km marathon, a 21.1 km half marathon, a 10 km and a 5 km fun run. It is held when the city's jacaranda trees are in flower.
History
The organiser says the event is more than 25 years old and was revamped in 2011. It describes it as one of the leading road races in Gauteng and the first marathon in the province after Comrades. Runner's World South Africa's partner coverage names Sportsvendo and Faranani Athletics Club as the presenters and says the marathon has also served as the AGN Marathon Championship.
The 2026 race
The organiser lists the 2026 race for Saturday 24 October 2026 at Rietondale High School, on the corner of 18th Avenue and Pierneef Street, Rietondale, Pretoria. The marathon and half marathon start at 06:00, the 10 km at 06:10 and the 5 km at 06:20. The organiser calls the course fast and scenic, with the flowering jacarandas shading the route. Runner's World describes the marathon as a double lap, with some quick sections and a few climbs.
Cut-offs and entry
The marathon cut-off is 6 hours (12:00), the half marathon 3 hours and the 10 km 2 hours; the 5 km has no cut-off. Minimum ages are 20 for the marathon, 16 for the half, 14 for the 10 km and 9 for the 5 km. The marathon is a Comrades and Two Oceans qualifier. The organiser caps the field at 12,000 entries across the four distances. Online entry through EntryNinja closed on 21 October 2026, and the marathon is pre-entry only. Late entries for the half marathon, 10 km and 5 km are taken at the venue from 22 to 24 October, subject to space. Race numbers can be collected at the school on 22 and 23 October, from 11:00 to 18:00, and on race morning from 04:30.
Where to watch
The start and finish are at Rietondale High School, so the race village is the natural place to see runners come home. Because the marathon covers two laps, anyone standing at one spot on the course can see the same runners twice.
The jacaranda season
Pretoria is known as the Jacaranda City. Wikipedia records that the first two trees were planted in the city in 1888 and that the trees bloom in October, covering the streets in purple flowers.
Weather
Late October is spring heading into summer on the Highveld. Pretoria's summers are warm and rainy, so mornings tend to be the coolest part of the day and a shower or storm later is always possible.
SourcesJacaranda City Challenge, SportsVendo (the organiser's page) · Runner's World South Africa: Conquer the iconic Jacaranda City Challenge · Runner's World South Africa: aQuelle Jacaranda City Challenge, a race for everyone · RunFinder: aQuelle Jacaranda City Challenge 2026 · Wikipedia: Pretoria