South Africa · Road marathon · 42.195 km
Buffs (Buffalo) Marathon
East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Buffs Marathon brings runners from the N6 near Macleantown into East London, finishing at the Buffs Club. This Eastern Cape road marathon descends towards the coast, but the route still includes climbing: gravity offers assistance, not a lift home. The organiser provides an online entry route and race-morning taxis to the start. Use the published 2026 arrangements as background while awaiting the next edition's confirmed date, fees and collection details.
AthRecs race guide · Updated
Upcoming dates
TBC — awaiting confirmation
Waiting for the next race? Follow the organiser’s link for the latest date and race-day details. All dates and start times are local.
At a glance
- City / location
- East London
- Province
- Eastern Cape
- Distance
- 42.195 kilometres / 26.2 miles
- Surface
- Road
- Course profile
- Net downhill with climbs: The Running Mann describes a start around 500 metres above sea level and a finish near the coast.
- Approximate field
- Around 850Reported entrants · 2026
Daily Dispatch reports 846 full-marathon entries in 2026. This excludes the separately reported half-marathon and 10 km fields.
How to enter Buffs (Buffalo) Marathon
These are the organiser’s entry routes. Check the linked page for the edition, opening dates, eligibility, fees and current availability.
Online entry
Enter through the official site when the next edition opens. The 2026 race accepted online entries only, with no late entries.
Official entry informationRoute and course
A 42.2 km point-to-point road route from the N6 near Macleantown to the Buffs Club in East London.
Race-day planning
Check which edition each detail applies to before making your plans. Follow the linked instructions for the latest arrangements.
- 2026 timetable
- Start 06:00; finish cut-off 12:00. The next edition's timetable is still to be confirmed. 2026 timetable information
- 2026 transport
- Taxis left the Buffs Club from 04:00; the fare was R60 cash per runner. 2026 transport information
- Race-number collection
- In 2026, collection was at the Buffs Club on the preceding Saturday, not at the start. Race-number collection information
- Minimum age and race rules
- Marathon runners must be at least 20. Earphones are prohibited; check the official licence and seconding rules. Minimum age and race rules information
Past races and results
Official results archiveOpen the organiser’s results to find a runner, club or published category standing. At festivals with several distances, select the marathon results.
2026 Buffs (Buffalo) Marathon
Full 2026 resultsDaily Dispatch reports that Sonwabi Tshezi broke 2:20 to win the 52nd edition and Putunz Macingwana led the women's marathon. Its race-day report described the results as not yet certified; the linked timing archive provides the official standings.
Men — race-day report
Daily Dispatch reports Sonwabi Tshezi first in 2:19:33 and Musa Zweni third in 2:26:53; these were provisional at publication.
View result detailsWomen — race-day report
The provisional report lists Putunz Macingwana first in 3:22:50, Angelique Norton second in 3:25:11 and Carmen Schaefer third in 3:30:48.
View result details2025 Buffs (Buffalo) Marathon
Full 2025 resultsThe 51st edition took place on 23 February. Nedbank Running Club later included Jeannie Henderson's 2:58:37 at Buffs in its Comrades team preview. This is a reported individual performance; the official archive covers the full race standings.
Women — reported performance
Nedbank Running Club records Jeannie Henderson's 2025 Buffs Marathon time as 2:58:37, without stating her finishing position.
View result detailsRace news, photos and video
Common questions
When is Buffs (Buffalo) Marathon?
The next race date is TBC (to be confirmed). Check the official organiser for the latest announcements.
How do I enter Buffs (Buffalo) Marathon?
Online entry: Enter through the official site when the next edition opens. The 2026 race accepted online entries only, with no late entries.
Where is Buffs (Buffalo) Marathon and how far is it?
Buffs (Buffalo) Marathon takes place in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa. This guide covers the 42.195 km full marathon (26.2 miles). Surface: Road
What is the Buffs (Buffalo) Marathon course like?
A 42.2 km point-to-point road route from the N6 near Macleantown to the Buffs Club in East London. Net downhill with climbs: The Running Mann describes a start around 500 metres above sea level and a finish near the coast.
How big is the field at Buffs (Buffalo) Marathon?
The approximate field is Around 850, based on Reported entrants for 2026. Daily Dispatch reports 846 full-marathon entries in 2026. This excludes the separately reported half-marathon and 10 km fields. Entrants, starters and finishers are different measures.
Where can I find past Buffs (Buffalo) Marathon results?
The past races and results section links to the organiser’s results. Select the distance and edition for participant searches and published category standings.
Sources and race information
AthRecs is independent of the race organiser. This guide brings together the linked race information, results and reports. Source review: . Historical details are labelled by edition; current entry availability and final instructions remain with the organiser.
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