Entries open Wednesday for inaugural Diamonds and Dorings Kimberley Big Hole Marathon

Excitement is building in Kimberley as entries open tomorrow, Wednesday, October 1 2025, for the inaugural Diamonds and Dorings Kimberley Big Hole Marathon.

The Northern Cape’s first marathon of its kind will take place on November 25 and is expected to attract around 2,000 runners. With four race distances on offer – 5km, 10km, 21km and the full 42km – the event is designed to welcome both elite athletes and community runners.

Boosting the city and the province

The Northern Cape Provincial Government has partnered with Griqualand West’s athletics federation and invested millions to bring the event to life. Officials believe the marathon will celebrate Kimberley’s diamond mining and liberation heritage while also strengthening local tourism and economic activity.

Premier Dr Zamani Saul, who led the media launch at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre on Monday, had previously underlined the stakes, saying, “We can’t allow the economy of this town to be subdued and die on our watch. We have to do all these trajectory interventions in order to ensure that the economy of this town keeps on growing. … We need to optimise the economic potential of this town,” said Saul.

He added a note on the perseverance required to succeed in long-distance running: “With pain comes greatness.”

Race details and prize money

Race director Thato Sethlolo outlined the technical aspects, including a prize purse of R1.2 million. The 42km winners will each earn R200,000, the 21km winners R50,000, while R5,000 is up for grabs in the 5km event.

“We are giving our athletes a chance to qualify,” said Sethlolo, stressing that every participant will have an equal opportunity to compete and win.

National support and star presence

The launch drew national backing. Athletics South Africa president James Moloi pledged to rally support from other provinces, while South African marathon legends Bruce Fordyce — a nine-time Comrades winner – and current champion and four-time Comrades winner Tete Dijana attended in person.

Spokesperson Naledi Gaosekwe confirmed that the marathon would bring Kimberley “to life in a celebration of endurance, history and togetherness.”

With registrations opening on October 1, anticipation is rising for what organisers hope will become a landmark sporting and cultural event for the province.