South African marathon legend Julian Karp will celebrate his 1,000th official marathon at this year’s Soweto Marathon.
South Africa (12 November 2025) – South African endurance runner Julian Karp is set to make history at this year’s Soweto Marathon on Saturday, 29 November. Running his 1000th marathon! And there couldn’t be a more fitting stage for this historic moment.
Julian is a familiar face in the country’s running circles. He ran his first marathon, the Peninsula back in 1990, not knowing he was starting a journey that would make him one of the most prolific marathoners in the world. Over the years, what began as six marathons a year turned into a full-blown lifestyle.
By 2003, following the extension of the Comrades Marathon’s cut-off to 12 hours and the surge of new marathons across the country, he made a personal commitment to run as many as possible. And he did!
In 2016, he set a South African record of 62 official marathons in one calendar year. To break it down, 50 standard and 12 ultras.
Now 65, Julian’s dedication has seen him travel across the country almost every weekend, often running back-to-back marathons on Saturdays and Sundays. He has even completed the Ottosdal Night Marathon.
Globally, there are around 70 athletes who claim to have run 1,000 marathons, though few have fully verified records. Julian’s achievement stands apart because he counts only official road marathons and ultras sanctioned by Athletics South Africa, excluding self-recorded or trail events.
He completed his 999th marathon at the Lemo Mall Marathon in Bloemfontein on 3 May 2025 and chose the Soweto Marathon for his milestone run.
But why the Soweto Marathon?
“I ran the first official Soweto Marathon in December 1993 and can still clearly recall the goosebumps when the white dove was set free as a symbol of peace. Since then, I have completed 18 official and two helpers’ Soweto Marathons. The support I’ve received from Soweto clubs over the years has been incredible.”
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Known as The People’s Race, The Soweto Marathon is symbolic of resilience and unity, has faced its share of challenges this year with organisational disputes and a shift in date to accommodate the G20 summit. Still, Julian remains loyal to the race’s original spirit.
“When the Soweto clubs decided to host the event, I felt it important to support them in their brave fight.”
For Julian, it’s all eyes on Soweto, where a remarkable chapter in South African running history is to be written.
Sources: Running Mann
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