The Johnson Crane Marathon has been consistently ranked in a number of our surveys as a well organised and well-presented event. In 2024 it celebrates its 41^st anniversary. Traditionally it’s known as a relatively easy and certainly an early Comrades qualifier. The event starts and finishes at the Willomore Park cricket ground in Harpur Avenue in Benoni.

The course saw big changes in 2019, and it’s much nicer than the old course, that’s the feedback. As before the marathon comprises two laps of the half marathon route. It is an undemanding race that first skirts the Westdene Dam and then goes through Lakefield. Parts of the course incorporate an easy scenic stretch on Wilge Road along Homestead Lake. If there is any work, it comes in the form of a mild pull around the 15-kilometre marker board. This is more than made up for as you canter under the highway and head for the finish.

There is a 06:00 time limit to accommodate walkers.