“Unauthorised!”
This was Athletics South Africa’s (ASA) firm response following the appearance of a new social media advertisement promoting the long-defunct Mpumalanga Marathon.
🚨 PUBLIC WARNING 🚨
Please be advised that the event advertised as the “Mpumalanga Marathon” is NOT AUTHORISED by Athletics South Africa (ASA) or Athletics Mpumalanga. pic.twitter.com/RZSr3cKdSq— Athletics South Africa (@AthleticsSA_) June 15, 2025
Two world-class marathoners, Jobo Khatoane of Lesotho’s Maxed Elite Club and Ethiopia’s Tadu Nare, the respective men’s and women’s race winners – are still awaiting their promised cash prize of R1m.
@lowvelder The winner of the 42.2km race at the Mpumalanga Marathon, Jobo Khatoane, arrives at Riverside Mall. #mpumalangamarathon #marathon #marathonwinner #mpumalanga🇿🇦 #riversidemall
The event’s organiser, Caleb Lekhuleni, now faces criminal charges, including fraud and corruption.
ALSO READ: Unpaid millions: Mpumalanga Marathon organisers face class action
The case was opened by Abigale Davis of Unity Technologies, a respected local marathon promotion company subcontracted by Lekhuleni to assist with organising what he promoted as the ‘Richest Marathon’ in the world.
@lowvelder The winner of the 42.2km race at the Mpumalanga Marathon, Jobo Khatoane, shares his experience. #mpumalanga🇿🇦 #mpumalangamarathon #marathonwinner
Over R3m in prize money was advertised for the top 15 men and women finishers, but the event quickly collapsed when Lekhuleni failed to pay the athletes or suppliers.
The Hawks are now handling the criminal investigation, with allegations that Lekhuleni owes more than R8m.
In a previous interview with Lowvelder, Lekhuleni claimed that sponsorship money had been paid into a trust account, but said payouts were delayed pending an Article A18 certificate from SARS. However, SARS later confirmed that the application had been declined due to irregularities.
ALSO READ: The sun rises on Mpumalanga’s ‘million-rand marathon’
Lowvelder has since verified that no sponsorship funds were received and that no money was ever deposited into any trust account.
Earlier this year, Athletics Mpumalanga president Paul Bester confirmed that the federation refused to sanction the marathon amid growing concerns.
ALSO READ: Tax issue results in marathon owing R1.4m to suppliers
In the latest development, an outdated promotional image from last year resurfaced on the Mpumalanga Marathon’s Facebook page, which has since been hacked. Both the Facebook page and official website have now been suspended.
Attempts to obtain comment from Lekhuleni were unsuccessful.
MPUMALANGA MARATHON: A COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY AND RESOLUTION pic.twitter.com/R3tshdNZDf
— Mpumalanga Marathon (@MpumalangaRuns) December 26, 2024
Tonight on #Radio2000 6-7pm. We’ll speak to the organizers of last year’s Mpumalanga Marathom, which was dubbed the ‘one million rand race’ because of the R1 million prize money for the winners….Sadly, those winners have still not been paid. We’ll find out why…. #GameOn pic.twitter.com/T4Ytva0UW3
— Tracksuit (@ThabisoMosia) January 9, 2025
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