History
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The Rhodes Run started with a conversation and a couple of drinks.
1986, an idea
The idea of the race came during a discussion between Rhodes property owners over a couple of drinks one night in 1986. The intention was to put Rhodes back on the map before it followed the same fate as other small platteland villages which faded into obscurity. That vision led to the birth of a unique event on the South African sports calendar.
1989, the first Run
The first event was staged in July 1989 and almost did not happen, thanks to very heavy snowfalls during the night before the race. Seventy runners finished. They are known as the Pioneers, and the Pioneers Trophy is awarded in their recognition to this day.
1990 to 2023, the Raubenheimer years
The Raubenheimer family became involved from the second event in 1990. They took the mantle of race organisers from 1998 to 2023, and Evie Raubenheimer served as Race Director from 1998. Much of the history, the records and the writing that survives from those years exists because they documented it.
2020 and 2021
The event was held every year from 1989 until COVID 19 interrupted everything for two years. It returned.
2023 to today
In 2023 the Raubenheimers handed the reins to Rudi Hiestermann and Heather Ralph, who carried the baton until July 2026, when they handed it to Annalize Geldenhuys, allowing the Rhodes community to continue to grow the Run and see it prosper.
A peek into the past
A selection of articles published on the original Rhodes Run website, drawn from the rich history created and documented by the Raubenheimers. We add to these as we go.