Johannesburg, Wednesday, 4 February 2026 – South Africa’s favourite youth radio station, 5FM, and Balwin Properties are once again gearing up to transform 2026 into a year of fitness, community and life-changing opportunity with the return of the Balwin Run Series, powered by 5FM, with another amazing apartment up for grabs.

Following the overwhelming success of last year’s series, the partnership is back with four major races across the country and another massive prize: a Balwin-built, fully furnished apartment valued at R1 million, including 12 months of free levies.
The 2026 series will run from February to September and continues its mission of promoting health and wellness while giving South Africans a real shot at home ownership.

Whether you’re a seasoned runner or someone lacing up for the first time, every participant who completes any distance – 5km, 10km, 21.1km or 42.2km – in any of the Series events stands a chance to win. To enter, runners simply need to complete any one of these races and then visit any Balwin show apartment nationwide, with each visit counting as an additional entry. The more developments visited, the more chances to win the R1 million apartment.

This year’s race calendar includes the Peninsula Race on 15 February, the Pretoria Race on 22 February, the Dolphin Coast Race on 22 March, and the Jeppe Race on 20 September. Each event offers distances

for all fitness levels, bringing together elite athletes, casual runners and families for some of the most anticipated road-running moments of the year. And as always, 5FM will be Ampli5ing these events with electrifying live broadcasts in Gauteng and live crossings in Cape Town and Durban.

Adding even more inspiration to the series, 5FM’s own Tshepi “Big Chief” Moji returns as an official ambassador. After documenting his journey into running last year, Big Chief is levelling up for 2026 with a dedicated fitness coach and a commitment to completing all four races. He’ll be sharing every milestone, challenge and victory with listeners across 5FM’s platforms.
Joining him is another 5FM athlete in the form of Nick Archibald – a seasoned athlete and no stranger to the road and trail running world, having competed in multiple running events previously. His energy, determination and positive attitude make him a powerful addition to the 2026 ambassador team, and he will be running the full series alongside Big Chief.
According to Masi Mdingane, Business Manager for 5FM and Good Hope FM, the partnership continues to reflect the station’s commitment to both lifestyle and upliftment.

“It’s an honour for 5FM to once again partner with Balwin Properties to give South Africans the chance to win a R1 million apartment while also encouraging the country to get fit, healthy and active. 5FM has always been the home of the most banging tunes, epic events and the most mind-blowing giveaways, and this series is the perfect example of how we bring energy, purpose and life-changing opportunities to all of Mzansi. We’re proud to champion home ownership, wellness and the spirit of pushing yourself further than you ever thought possible.”

Ryan Kalk, Managing Director of Balwin Sport, commented: “From an athlete’s perspective, the Run Series has earned its reputation through real value add, made possible by strong partnerships that turn each race into a broader lifestyle experience rather than just a run.
“That same collaboration is why Balwin Properties supports the series, because running is one of the most accessible ways to improve health, build community, and create lasting impact for both organised athletes and everyday participants.”

“The R1 million apartment give-away brings that commitment to life. It represents real home ownership, as we have seen with previous winners, and really affirms Balwin commitment to building quality homes
and getting as many South Africans as possible onto the property ladder, and what better way than through rewarding people for getting fit and healthy and exploring the Balwin Lifestyle.”

The races themselves each bring a unique flavour to the series. The Peninsula Race offers a scenic, fast coastal route ideal for PB chasers. The Pretoria Race challenges runners with iconic climbs and sweeping city views. The Dolphin Coast Race delivers a family-friendly coastal experience from Ballito to Durban. And the Jeppe Race, one of Gauteng’s most established races, closes the series with a proud community atmosphere and a long-standing running tradition. Each of these races and the clubs behind them support development runners and reinforces Balwin’s commitment to runner development through the Balwin Foundation.

Follow every update, ambassador journey and competition detail by tuning in to 5FM, downloading the Balwin Sport and 5FM App, visiting balwinsport.co.za and www.5fm.co.za, and following the station across all social platforms.
A showcase of all 5FM’s best content is also available on SABC PLUS.