By Adnaan Mohamed
The Boxer Athletics Club runners will headline the elite action at the sold-out 5km event in Johannesburg on Sunday, 15 November.
Elroy Gelant and Carina Swiegers are looking forward to testing themselves against a competitive field when the Boxer Super Run returns to Johannesburg on Sunday, 15 November.
The Boxer Athletics Club pair will tackle the 5km course, which starts on Orange Road in Emmarentia and finishes at Marks Park Sports Club.
Gelant, who is based in Potchefstroom, believes the short distance demands speed, sound tactics and careful pacing.
“The Boxer Super Run is a fantastic event for South African road running,” says Gelant. “The 5km format makes it very exciting because there is nowhere to hide; you need to be ready from the start and you have to race intelligently. I also really enjoy the atmosphere around the event and the way it brings elite athletes and recreational runners together.”
The experienced distance runner welcomes the opportunity to compete over different distances and use the 5km to assess his speed and racing form.
“I enjoy challenging myself over different distances,” he says. “The 5km is a great opportunity to test my speed and racing ability. It is a very tactical distance because it is short enough to require a high level of speed, but long enough that you can pay a big price if you get the pacing wrong. The key for me will be to race the athletes around me, stay focused and make sure I still have something left for the final kilometre.”
Swiegers, who lives in Pretoria, also regards the event as a highlight of her racing calendar. She expects the hilly route to test the field and hopes to finish in the top eight or improve her course best.
“It is an amazing event,” says Swiegers. “The vibe is great, the route is challenging, and what I am most excited about is the amazing atmosphere and all the great elite athletes competing.”
She plans to build her pace as the race progresses.
“My plan is to start conservatively and build up the pace towards the end. It is a challenging route with a few hills, which I enjoy, so I hope my strength will pull through. My goal is to finish in the top eight or run a course PB.”
Michael Meyer, managing director of Stillwater Sports, said the event’s inclusive format continues to attract runners across different levels of ability.
“We’re looking forward to bringing the Boxer Super Run back to Johannesburg on Sunday, 15 November. The event offers a unique combination of competitive racing and a fun, inclusive atmosphere, with the 5km distance appealing to everyone from elite athletes to social runners and first-time participants. The Joburg route presents an exciting challenge, and we look forward to seeing athletes like Elroy Gelant and Carina Swiegers make the most of the opportunity, test themselves against the course and enjoy everything the Boxer Super Run has to offer.”
Lee-Ann Pillay, head of marketing at Boxer Superstores, said the event supports the retailer’s commitment to active lifestyles and community participation.
“At Boxer Superstores, we’re proud to support an event that brings people together through a shared love of running and an active lifestyle. The Boxer Super Run is about more than the finish time; it’s about the atmosphere, the sense of community and the opportunity for everyone to be part of something special. We’re excited to welcome runners, families and supporters to Joburg and look forward to another memorable day.”
The open wave starts at 07:00, followed by the Super Social Wave between 08:00 and 09:30. The elite women’s race begins at 09:45, with the elite men starting at 10:00. A 1km children’s race is scheduled for 10:30.
Entries for the Johannesburg event are sold out, with runners set to receive a performance T-shirt, goodie bag, race number and timing chip, and a finisher’s medal.
The focus will be on Gelant and Swiegers as they take on the course and pursue their respective goals over a distance where every kilometre can shape the outcome.
Race schedule
- 07:00: Open Wave
- 08:00–09:30: Super Social Wave
- 09:45: Elite women
- 10:00: Elite men
- 10:30: 1km kids’ race
Entries: SOLD OUT
Entry package includes a performance T-shirt, goodie bag, race number and timing chip, on-route experience and finisher’s medal.
