Award Categories 2026
Runner Awards™ celebrates the individuals, clubs, and events that shape South Africa’s vibrant running culture. Explore our award categories below, each designed to honour excellence, passion, and dedication.
Public Voted Categories
These awards are powered by the community – the heartbeat of South African road running.
There are 25 public-voted categories, with nominations and winners determined through official public voting channels, including SMS and online voting. This hybrid approach ensures that every voice in the running community can be heard – from athletes and clubs to supporters and fans.
The process is transparent, accessible, and designed for broad participation, because excellence deserves recognition by the people who live and love the sport.
1. PERFORMANCE & ACHIEVEMENT
(Honoring athletic excellence and personal triumph)
Keyword: MALE
Male Runner of the Year
Nominate the best male runner you know.
Keyword: FEMALE
Female Runner of the Year
Nominate the best female runner you know.
Keyword: NOVICE
Novice 'Breakthrough' Runner of the Year
Nominate a new runner whose first-year of running is filled with incredible achievements. Let’s celebrate the incredible journey & phenomenal progress.
Keyword: Adaptive
Adaptive Runner with a Disability
Nominate a differently-abled runner that you know.
Keyword: Adversity
Rising through Adversity (Previously Disadvantaged Runner of the Year)
The race stars who can barely afford race entries, running shoes and travelling
Keyword: Pacer
Pacer of the Year
II. COMMUNITY & CULTURE
(Celebrating the people, places, and spirit that bind runners together)
Keyword: Community
Running Community of the Year
Keyword: Support
Most Supportive Club of the Year
A recognition of the heart & soul of the running community.
Nominating a selfless club, chosen due to their support for the sport & other runners consistently.
Keyword: Club
Running Club of the Year
Nominate your top choice from running clubs within your respective province.
Keyword: Personality
Public Personality of the Year
A personality who has / is using their popularity and influence to promote or shine light on the sport of road running.
Keyword: Coach
Running Coach of the Year
Nominate a coach whose value is in the development and contributes in his/her runner’s success
Keyword: Promote
Running Influencer or Promoter of the Year
Nominate your running advocacy champion of the year whose efforts have promoted the sport of running.
Keyword: Dress
Best Dressed Runner ‘MwenkoFontein’
III. RACES & EVENTS
(Recognizing excellence in event creation and execution)
Keyword: Race
Race of the Year
Nominate your ‘can’t-miss race event’ over the calendar year!
Keyword: Improved
Most Improved Race of the year
A race that has seen improvement on organisation, logistics and runner experience.
Keyword: Route
Race Route of the Year
Nominate a route that has given you an unforgettable experience! Either the most challenging & tough OR even the easiest course you loved & excelled on – resulting in your personal best results.
Keyword: Entries
Race Entries Company of the Year
Nominate the best race entries platform that you have used to join a race & liked due to the smooth experience.
Keyword: Coffee
Coffee Shop of the Year
The essential post-run ritual and community hub
IV. PRODUCTS, INNOVATION & MEDIA
(Highlighting gear, tech, and content that enhance the running experience)
Keyword: Shoe
Shoe of the Year
Keyword: Kit
Running Club Kit of the Year
Let us celebrate the best identity, pride & design excellence. Nominate a club with the Best Designed Kit
– aesthetically!
Keyword: Watch
Best Running Watch of the Year
Keyword: Song
Song of the Year
Keyword: Online
Best Online Running Campaign
Keyword: Shop
Best Running Shop
V. CORPORATE & INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIP
(Acknowledging vital support from the business and institutional world)
Corporate Sponsor of the Year
A corporate brand / sponsor that has contributed in monetary value or resources towards the development and promotion of road running.
SPECIAL AWARDS (Committee Adjudicated)
Celebrating excellence beyond the finish line.
In addition to the public-voted categories, the Special Awards honour individuals, clubs, and organisations whose impact goes beyond performance. These 5 categories are carefully adjudicated by a selected committee of esteemed and experienced figures in road running, ensuring fairness, credibility, and recognition of true contribution to the sport.
International Achievement Award
International Participation. There will be a special recognition for the World Majors Marathons – Star Holders.
Most Supportive Local Council / Municipality of the Year
A municipality or Council that has contributed in monetary value or resources towards the development and promotion of road running.
Selfless Runner
Most Giving of his Time / Knowledge / Resources
Running Innovation 2026
Using road running to make an impact for a great cause and innovatively improved road running.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Running community’s contribution beyond personal performance.
NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN!
Dial *120*1501#
USSD costs R1.50. Free SMSs do not apply. Nominations close on 29th September 2025 at 23H59. T’s and C’s apply.