About the race
The Loskop Marathon Series is a set of races around Middelburg in Mpumalanga, headlined by a 50 km ultramarathon. The organiser describes the landscape as a mix of challenging running and scenery, with distances for runners of all levels.
The races
The series has four events: the 50 km Ultra Marathon, the 21.1 km Wild Challenge trail run, the 10 km Tough Run and a 5 km Fun Run. The fun run is entered on race day at the start, with money going to the Friends of Loskop Conservation Fund, and every finisher receives a medal. Walkers are welcome.
The most recent edition
The organiser's pages show the 2026 series on Saturday 25 April 2026. The ultra started at 06:00 outside the Steve Tshwete Municipal Offices in Middelburg, while the Wild Challenge and the Tough Run started at 06:30. No late starts were allowed. Number collection for the 21 km was at the Damwal Complex at Loskop Dam, and the 10 km collected at the municipal offices on the Friday and at the start on Saturday. Check the organiser for the 2027 date.
Entry basics
Entries were online only and ran from 25 November 2025 to 7 April 2026, with limited fields: 3,500 for the ultra, 1,500 for the Wild Challenge and 500 for the Tough Run. Shirts had to be ordered by 10 March 2026. Substitutions were allowed for a fee until the Friday before the race. Temporary licences were available for the 10 km and 21 km events only, and they cannot be bought for the 50 km. The organiser notes that wheelchairs are not allowed, and points runners to the Comrades Marathon website for qualifying and seeding details.
On the route
Refreshment stations hand out Coke and purified water sachets. On the ultra they appear every 3 km in the first half and every 2.5 km in the second half. On the Wild Challenge they are every 3 km, and on the Tough Run every 2.5 km. A time bonus is paid to the first athlete per category who beats a set time, a scheme the organiser introduced for the 2026 edition.
Where to watch
The organiser names two bases: Middelburg for the ultra and the 10 km, and the Loskop Dam area for the 21 km. Those are the places where numbers are collected and events start, and so where supporters will find the most activity.
Weather
Late April is autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. The ultra starts at 06:00, so runners spend the opening hours before the day has fully warmed up.