What was meant to be a night of running, music and celebration at the University of Pretoria’s Hillcrest Sport Campus instead became an unexpected test of patience and perseverance when a power outage forced the cancellation of the 2026 Sappi Tuks Night Race on Wednesday, 9 September.
The race, which was scheduled to start at 18:30, had attracted a sold-out field for its 5km and 10km events. The evening had been billed as more than just a road race, with TuksFM providing entertainment, hype points and music alongside the running action.
For the runners who arrived at Hillcrest, the excitement was palpable. “It’s completely different to last year,” said one runner’s husband, who attended with his family to support his wife, who works for Sappi, as well as his daughter, a first-year UP student. “This is a lovely vibe. Good atmosphere. The energy is fantastic.”
That energy was evident throughout the race village, with runners arriving in colourful outfits and groups, preparing for an evening of running and socialising. Among them were runners from Zinnia, who summed up their motivation simply: “It’s all about the vibes.”
For the TuksFM runners, the evening was an opportunity to combine their love of running with the social side of the event. “We’re just here for the atmosphere,” they said, adding that they were looking forward to the fun along the route and the race’s hype zones. A personal best would have been an added bonus.
TuksSport Director Steven Ball said that the night race was designed to provide precisely that type of experience. “There are very few night races still in Pretoria,” Ball explained. “So, I think it’s just an opportunity. But for us, it was about how we create an opportunity also for our students.”
With students having just come through test week, Ball said that the event was intended to give them an opportunity to “take a deep breath, enjoy the opportunity and get out with friends.”
The broader goal, however, extended beyond one evening.
TuksSport has positioned participation and recreational sport alongside high-performance sport as an important part of its sporting offering. Ball said that the night race formed part of a bigger vision of encouraging the university community to get moving. “My dream is for us to have a ‘Tuks on the Move’ thing,” he said. “So, how do we get Tuks moving?”
For Ball, the ultimate message was that physical activity does not have to be about competition. “Healthy lifestyle can be fun,” he said. “And you’ve got to find where the fun is, and it’s not about winning.” That message was tested in an unexpected way when the power went out shortly before the scheduled start of the race.
Because the race is held at night, the loss of essential route lighting meant that continuing was not considered safe. TuksSport, TuksAthletics and title sponsor Sappi subsequently announced the cancellation, with the organisers apologising for the disappointment and confirming that all registered entrants would receive a full refund.
For runners waiting at the starting area, however, the uncertainty continued for more than two hours before the cancellation was finally announced.
The mood understandably changed as the wait continued. “I am tired,” said one runner. “My feet hurt because of this. I would have been done by now,” another said.
Others described themselves as restless, annoyed and increasingly frustrated, although there remained optimism that the lights would eventually return.
Despite the frustration, the atmosphere did not disappear completely.
Gustav Liebenberg, who had arrived ready to run, admitted that he was disappointed after waiting for more than an hour and a half. “I was so hyped up and everything, and now all of a sudden they just say it’s cancelled,” he said.
Fellow runner Liam Smith shared the disappointment but acknowledged the circumstances. “The power that got tripped, it’s out of the organiser’s hands,” Smith said. “It’s more just disappointment and it’s unfortunate. We would have loved to participate, but next time.”
Both runners, however, praised the atmosphere before the cancellation. “It was amazing,” Liebenberg said. “All of the music playing all of the time. I was so hyped up all of the time. I just kept on dancing.” Smith pointed to the runners’ outfits and glow sticks as another highlight of the evening, describing the concept as a “very cool initiative.”
And then, despite the official cancellation, some runners decided that their night was not quite over. Levi, a runner from Morula Residence, decided to complete the 5km he had promised himself he would finish. “I think I promised myself I’m going to finish a 5K,” he said. “I was close to finishing it, so that’s the reason.”
Water station staff from sponsor Typek also remained behind to hand out water to those who chose to run independently after the cancellation. “Everybody is disappointed. So, at least lift the spirit,” they said.
For some, the night ultimately became less about an official finishing time and more about simply being part of something.
The runners’ reactions reflected that. One wanted to celebrate the end of the evening with cake. Another was still eager to see what time she could achieve over 5km. Others simply wanted to enjoy the experience.
Even Livingston Banda arrived ready to embrace the occasion – in a suit, having come directly from a presentation. “It’s commitment,” he joked when asked about his unusual running attire.
One runner’s determination stood out as she arrived in a dress and sandals, only to borrow a pair of running shoes from another participant and decide she was going to take on the 5km. “I’m doing this thing, guys. Like, I’m running,” she said, embracing the unexpected challenge despite the evening’s uncertainty.
Although the 2026 Sappi Tuks Night Race did not unfold as planned, the response from the running community demonstrated why the event has become such a popular fixture on Pretoria’s running calendar. The race had been marketed as a celebration of participation, energy and community, with Sappi and TuksSport highlighting the importance of shared experiences and active lifestyles.
The organisers have since thanked runners, sponsors, service providers, volunteers and partners for their support and understanding, emphasising that runner safety remains the priority.
The lights may have gone out at Hillcrest, but for many of those who arrived ready to run, the spirit of the Sappi Tuks Night Race remained very much alive.
Image: Cayden Coetzer
Cayden Coetzer