The 2025 Knysna Forest Marathon delivered another breathtaking experience through one of South Africa’s most iconic running landscapes. With cool weather and firm trails, the conditions were near perfect, leading to impressive finish times for both male and female athletes.
🌲 Race Day Highlights
- Renier Grobler set the tone early in the men’s race, running a sub-4:00/km pace and finishing with a commanding lead.
- In the women’s race, Anene Claassen was unmatched, leading from start to finish and clocking a strong 3:09:23 at an average pace of 4:30/km.
- The top 10 for both genders showed a mix of youth and veteran endurance, with runners from various clubs across the country.
🏅 Top 10 Male Finishers
| Position | Athlete Name | Finish Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renier Grobler | 02:48:19 |
| 2 | Mark Hankin | 02:50:13 |
| 3 | Warren Kelly | 02:53:21 |
| 4 | Reece May | 02:57:38 |
| 5 | Alasdair Leslie | 03:02:00 |
| 6 | Samuel Mandlazi | 03:02:33 |
| 7 | Nicholas Grobbelaar | 03:02:47 |
| 8 | Terence Steeneveldt | 03:05:38 |
| 9 | Lindile Tokota | 03:05:55 |
| 10 | Daniel Jenner | 03:08:54 |
🏅 Top 10 Female Finishers
| Position | Athlete Name | Finish Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anene Claassen | 03:09:23 |
| 2 | Danette Walley | 03:15:35 |
| 3 | Madele Du Plessis | 03:16:22 |
| 4 | Toinette Van Niekerk | 03:18:35 |
| 5 | Jade Bucklow | 03:21:18 |
| 6 | Anna Haw | 03:24:54 |
| 7 | Gizela Van Den Berg | 03:26:21 |
| 8 | Danielle Fulton | 03:27:08 |
| 9 | Nadia Jooster | 03:31:24 |
| 10 | Caroline Josten | 03:33:02 |
🔍 Observations from the Results
- Impressive depth: Both men’s and women’s races saw tight finishing gaps in the top 10, particularly between 3rd and 10th positions.
- Anene Claassen’s time would have placed her 12th overall if male and female results were combined—showcasing elite-level pacing and endurance.
- The average pace among top women hovered around 4:45–5:00/km, reflecting a highly competitive field despite the undulating forest terrain.
- Veteran strength: Several male top finishers were in the 40+ age group, proving that experience continues to be an asset on this tough course.
- The Knysna course, although not a typical flat and fast marathon, still delivered multiple sub-3:10 finishes—testament to athlete preparation and favorable weather.
🎉 Final Thoughts
The Knysna Forest Marathon 2025 once again delivered more than just results—it brought a celebration of endurance, spirit, and nature. Congratulations to all finishers, and a special salute to the top 10 men and women who stood out in a fiercely contested event.
Full List of All results is provided by Bout Time.
