Arthur Jantjies defended his title at the Kloppers Marathon last Saturday. File Picture: Danie van der Lith
Arthur Jantjies, the Northern Cape’s renowned long-distance athlete from Hopetown, defended his Kloppers Marathon title on Saturday, February 8, with a stunning performance.
The Kgosi Galeshewe Athletics (KGA) club runner completed the 42.2km race in an impressive 2:23:00, beating his 2024 time by 10 minutes.
Jantjies' remarkable improvement at the Kloppers Marathon is a testament to his unwavering dedication and rigorous training.
Jantjies recently spoke to the DFA and reflected on this achievement. He admitted that he had initially not intended to push himself to such a fast time. “It was never the plan to run 2:23 at Kloppers. It was supposed to be just a training run to assess where I was ahead of the ASA Marathon Championships, which were my main goal the following week,” he said.
To prepare for the 2025 season, Jantjies and his training partner, Sydney Stevens, committed to an intense off-season regimen, accumulating over 1,500 kilometres. Their training included weekend trips from Hopetown to Vanderkloof Dam and Douglas, where they tackled challenging terrains to build endurance.
This disciplined approach paid off handsomely as Jantjies delivered one of his finest performances to date.
Speaking about his race-day experience to the DFA, Jantjies praised the well-organised event and the enthusiastic support from spectators. “The weather was perfect from start to finish, and the race pace felt very comfortable while running with the leading batch. The support along the way was uplifting, which made a huge difference,” he shared.
This latest victory adds to an already illustrious running career.
In 2024, Jantjies captured the title at the 54th Diamond Marathon in Kimberley, clocking 2:27:23. The previous month, he had secured victory at the Vodacom Meerkat Marathon with a time of 2:32:17.
His consistency in marathon running was further highlighted by his win at last year’s Kloppers Marathon in 2:33:28. Additionally, Jantjies achieved a personal best of 2:19:42 at the Durban International Marathon in April 2024, solidifying his reputation as one of South Africa’s top long-distance runners.
New Challenges and Goals
With such an impressive track record, Jantjies is focused on future goals and maintaining peak performance. He plans to start the year with longer-distance races before transitioning to shorter distances and other disciplines, such as track and field and cross-country events, to prevent excessive strain on his body.
“I want to qualify for the ASA Nationals and work towards securing a medal at various events while also improving my speed,” he said. “Nationals and iconic races are my priority for the year,” he added.
Proudly Northern Cape
Despite his growing national recognition, Jantjies remains deeply rooted in his home province and appreciates the support he receives from his community and club.
“The support from my hometown, Hopetown, and the Kgosi Galeshewe Athletics Club has been immense, and that’s why I don’t want to change anything soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jantjies is also motivated by a greater purpose – to inspire other aspiring athletes from the Northern Cape. “At the end of the day, representing my province gives me strength and courage. The Northern Cape has struggled to produce elite athletes, and I want to be part of breaking that cycle. I look forward to seeing more of our colours at national events,” he concluded.
With his relentless determination and commitment to improvement, Arthur Jantjies continues to be a beacon of excellence in South African distance running. His latest triumph at the Kloppers Marathon is just another stepping stone in a career that promises even greater accomplishments.
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