When the stars came out, running shoes were laced and goals were set. On your marks, get set and go! The inaugural North-West University (NWU) Berts Bricks Athletics Club (BB AC) Night Race recently transformed the Potchefstroom Campus into a glowing celebration of fitness, fun and community spirit.

More than 1 400 athletes gathered at the NWU Amphitheatre to take part in either the 10 km race or 5 km Fun Run, marking a spectacular comeback for the once-popular community event.

The race’s return was made possible when the Berts Bricks Athletics Club approached the NWU Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) for a safe venue. Recognising the event’s potential to unite campus and community, Prof Awie Kotzé, Executive Dean of the faculty, provided financial backing and registered it as an official community engagement project.

Support from Prof Daryl Balia, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Campus Operations, Digital and AI systems with assigned functions of the Potchefstroom Campus , ensured that all registered NSFAS students could participate free of charge through a dedicated sponsorship.

Adding prestige to the night, Comrades Marathon legends Tete Dijana (three-time winner) and Dr Adele Broodryk (multiple gold medallist and 2023 runner-up) set the pace and have been named future ambassadors of the event.

Starting at 19:00 from the Amphitheatre and finishing in the beautifully illuminated Lovers Lane, the race attracted 670 runners in the 10 km competition and 759 participants in the 5 km Fun Run.

The race results for the top-three finishers were:

Men (10 km) 

Montshiq Mashabe (Tshonoentie AC) – 33:13 

Mogomotsi Segomelo (Potch Track Club) – 34:36 

Thapelo Monandire (DPWR) – 38:21

Women (10 km) 

Leah Pearce (Team Vitality) – 46:28

Suzanne Mulder (Berts Bricks AC) – 47:11 

Elzari Nortje (Fanatics Racing Club) – 47:12

Open (10 km Walker)

Janice Nel (NWU) – 54:15

Leah Pearce, Suzanne Mulder and Elzari Nortje.

Montshiq Mashabe, Mogomotsi Segomelo, and Thapelo Monandire.