athletics.co.za

01

A Long Running Tradition

South Africa has a long and varied athletics history. The sport has produced competitors across short sprints, middle distance running, long distance track events and some of the most demanding ultramarathons in the world. Athletics is practised at school level, club level and on the international stage, with South African athletes regularly competing at continental and global championships.

Beyond the stadium, the country is particularly well known for its road running culture. Ultramarathons and marathons attract large numbers of participants every year, ranging from elite athletes to recreational runners who train for months to complete a single event. This dual identity, strong track and field participation alongside a deeply rooted road running culture, is one of the defining features of South African athletics.

02

How the Sport is Structured

Athletics in South Africa is generally organised through a national governing body that oversees the sport, with provincial structures beneath it responsible for regional competitions, club registrations and athlete development. Individual athletes typically belong to a local club, which in turn affiliates to a provincial body. This structure mirrors the way athletics is organised in many other countries, with a pyramid running from school and club level up to provincial and national representation.

Clubs play a central role in the sport. They provide coaching, organise training sessions, and act as the entry point for most athletes into competitive events. Many clubs cater to a wide age range, from junior athletes just starting out to masters athletes who continue competing well into later life. Club athletics meetings, often held on weekday evenings or weekends, form the backbone of grassroots competition throughout the season.

03

Track and Field Disciplines

Track and field athletics is typically divided into several broad categories. Sprint events cover short, explosive distances, while middle distance events require a blend of speed and endurance. Long distance track events test sustained pace over many laps. Field events are split into jumps, such as long jump, triple jump, high jump and pole vault, and throws, such as shot put, discus, javelin and hammer. Combined events, like the decathlon and heptathlon, bring several disciplines together into a single multi-event competition. A dedicated page on this site explores these disciplines in more detail.

04

Road Running and Ultramarathons

Road running holds a special place in South African athletic culture. The country is home to some of the most storied long distance road races in the world, including ultramarathons that cover distances far beyond the standard marathon. These events are known not only for their competitive fields but also for the large number of everyday runners who take part, often after months of structured training. A separate page on this site looks more closely at the road running scene and what makes it distinct from track-based athletics.

05

Why This Site Exists

This site has been created as an independent source of general information about athletics in South Africa. It does not sell merchandise, register runners for events, or represent any official body. Instead, it aims to give visitors a clear, neutral starting point for understanding how the sport works, what disciplines exist, and why road running in particular has become such a significant part of South African sporting life.

Whether you are new to the sport, a parent looking to understand what your child's athletics club does, or simply curious about why so many South Africans take to the roads on weekend mornings, the pages on this site are designed to provide useful background without unnecessary jargon.

06

Getting Involved

For anyone interested in taking up athletics, the usual starting point is a local club. Clubs generally welcome newcomers of varying ability levels and can advise on training groups suited to different goals, whether that is competing on the track, preparing for a first road race, or simply improving general fitness. Schools also commonly run athletics programmes, which remain an important pipeline for identifying and developing young talent across the country.