Fish Hoek, Western Cape (South Africa) - "Timbercity Red Hill Marathon, Classic and 13km Challenge". The first Red Hill Classic was run almost half a century ago as a training run for the Peninsula Marathon. No one could find a suitable short cut so, instead of a customary 20 mile (32km) marathon-prep course, the distance was set at 36km. In 1984, when the Two Oceans Marathon introduced qualifying marathon criteria for their event, a six kilometre loop was added for those who wanted to extend themselves from the 36k Classic to a full marathon (and has been a permanent fixture at the race since 1992). The route has remained constant over all this time save for two exceptions: The start line and first three kilometres has shifted around the perpetual roadworks to upgrade Kommetjie Road and Ou Kaapse Weg. However, Fish Hoek AC has built up a good relationship with the construction company and in 2019 they had a team working throughout the night to resurface the road for the runners, finishing up and providing the clearance to run just ten minutes before the race started. In 2008, a massive veld fire swept over the route resulting in road closures. People joke about building aeroplanes in the sky but the Red Hill race committee did just that - organising a new route on race morning and only finalising the marathon route after the race had already started. The 2008 event was something of a defining moment for the club and since then the race medal and club logo were redesigned to include the three flames to commemorate the experience. For 2026 the marathon and the 36 km will start at 05h00 (instead of 05h30 to accommodate further road works - and the start will be in KOMMETJIE Road. www.fishhoekac.com