Memorial Race

Now called the Runners Memorial Race, it originated in 1973 as the New Year’s Eve Race and then became the Chris McKinnon Memorial Race to honour the Western Province runner killed while on a training run in Pretoria. Its new name was chosen to commemorate all Western Province runners who died tragically.

The race was originally organised by the WP Road Runners Association, thereafter taken over by Tygerberg Athletics Club and has been organised by Edgemead Runners since 1996. It was the death of Edgemead Runners club member, Mxolisi Mitchell Mase, a few days before the 1995 Two Oceans Ultra Marathon, that emphasised the need for such a race. The race is now hosted to commemorate all runners who died while being involved in their favourite activity, running.

Over the years, the venue has changed, but the race has always been run along the Sea Point beachfront. The run takes place over 8km and takes participants from the Mouille Point Lighthouse, along the promenade to Sea Point Pavilion and back to the finish on the lawns in front of the Lighthouse. The race is open to runners and walkers alike; no license numbers are required, but club athletes are welcome to wear their club colours. There is a family atmosphere, and people are encouraged to bring the family down to the beachfront and take part. The names of deceased runners from the current and previous years are read out before the start of the race.

Many illustrious names in SA Athletics have won the race, amongst others Ewald Bonzet, Victor Liebenberg, Kevin Flanegan, Johan Fourie, Andries Krogmann, Matthews Temane and Sonja Laxton. The race has a special place on the Cape Town running calendar. A commemorative drinking glass is on offer to the first 1500 finishers.