There was plenty of energy and gees at the crack of dawn, with marathon runners gathering outside the OFM offices in Wild Olive Estate for the start of the 42.2km race. Just down the road, runners lined up in front of Northridge Mall for the start of the half-marathon.

The 10km road race also attracted tremendous support, with nearly 1,200 runners taking to the starting line. More than 600 athletes lined up for the 21.1km challenge, once again providing a fantastic advertisement for road running in Bloemfontein.

The start of the 42.2km marathon - Morgan Piek

Adellé Jordaan of The Running Edge was the first woman home in the 42.2km marathon, crossing the finish line in an impressive 3:27:28 to claim the 40-49 age-category honours.

Marjone Human was the fastest woman in the Open category, clocking 3:40:59, followed by Marissa Laing of Bloemfontein Striders in 3:44:07. Juanita van Huyssteen finished third in the Open category in 3:49:47, while Tarina van Niekerk secured second place in the 40-49 age category in 3:55:30.

At the time of publication, the men's 42.2km marathon results had yet to be verified.

Kristi Bell winning the women's 21.1km - Morgan Piek

Thabang Masihleho of Bloemfontein Striders produced a superb performance to claim victory in the men's 21.1km half-marathon, crossing the finish line in 1:07:00.

Chabeli Nyedimane of Boxer Athletic finished second overall in 1:10:16, while also claiming the 40-49 age-category honours. Daniel Rampai secured third place in 1:11:19.

Bongani Hlongwane (1:17:15) and Kabelo Wittes (1:17:35) completed the overall top five. Conall Mackey of The Running Edge was the first junior home, finishing ninth overall in an impressive 1:21:31.

The 21.1km start - Morgan Piek

Kirsti Bell of Kovsies delivered an outstanding performance to win the women's 21.1km race in 1:24:47. Joané de Bruyn of Kovsie Athletics claimed second place in 1:31:02, with Michelle Dykman completing the podium in 1:31:24.

Maryna Swanepoel was the first finisher in the 40-49 age category, stopping the clock at 1:33:39. Ziné du Plessis of Bloemfontein Striders finished fourth in the Open women's category in 1:34:38, followed by Elbe Groeneveld in 1:36:53.

There was plenty to celebrate in the women's 10km race, with Oranje schoolgirl Carlin van Rooyen leading the way in an impressive 40:17.

The 10km start - Morgan  Piek

Jayme Sue Vermaas of the Central University of Technology (CUT) was the first Open woman across the line in 41:17. Vermaas, who is also an Oranje old girl, was followed by Charne Woodrup in 42:36. Lu Anne Labuschagne (42:58) and Welmari Joubert (44:23) rounded off the top five.

Mxenecelwa Miya produced a commanding display to win the men's 10km race in 31:19. Retshidisitswe Shai chased him home in second place in 31:55, while Sello Macholo completed the podium in 32:00.

The marathon start - Morgan Piek

Bantubonke Derison (33:10) and Kabelo Isaac Tladi (33:20) finished fourth and fifth respectively. Manny Wilson was the first junior home, crossing the line eighth overall in 34:52.

With strong fields across all distances, impressive performances and tremendous support from the running community, the 2026 Northridge Mall Marathon once again underlined Bloemfontein's passion for road running.

OFM is a proud media partner of the Northridge Mall Marathon.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport