Wally Hayward Marathon

Location: Pretoria
Country: South Africa
Website: https://www.wally.co.za/
2025 Marathon Date: 01/05/2025
2026 Marathon Date: 03/05/2026
Winning Time 2025: 02:23:31
% Sub-3s: 1–2%
# Sub-3s: 10–49
Total Runners: 1k–3k

The Wally Hayward Marathon is a grassroots South African race with a long-standing reputation among domestic club runners. Held annually on 1 May—Worker’s Day—the event takes place in the Centurion area of Pretoria and provides a calm, community-based marathon experience with traditional organisation and a modest but enthusiastic field.

The course is suburban and undulating, following a loop from Zwartkop High School through residential streets and out into quieter roads on the city’s fringe. Runners face a steady diet of gradual climbs and descents, with few truly flat stretches. There are no severe hills, but the cumulative elevation is enough to demand respect, particularly over the second half.

Atmosphere on the course is relatively low-key, with club tents and family supporters stationed at key junctions and water tables. South Africa’s strong running culture ensures a knowledgeable crowd and good on-course etiquette. While international presence is limited, the sense of camaraderie among participants is genuine, and first-timers are made to feel welcome.

The Wally Hayward Marathon is efficiently managed, with a focus on simplicity. Entry fees are affordable, registration is straightforward, and the start area is compact and functional. Water tables are frequent and follow the established South African tradition of well-staffed, hand-delivered sachets. The race also includes a half marathon and other distances, but these are well segregated to avoid interference.

For sub-3 runners, the Wally Hayward Marathon is a useful benchmark ahead of bigger events or a quiet opportunity to test fitness in a low-pressure setting. It isn’t built for spectacle—but it is trusted, dependable, and true to its roots. Those familiar with South Africa’s running scene will find it a natural fit, while visitors seeking a local experience will appreciate the honesty and heart that define the Wally Hayward Marathon.