Seen Here: Sappi, TuksSport and TuksFM have joined forces to bring the 2026 Sappi Tuks Night Race to life, combining running, music and entertainment for an unforgettable night at the University of Pretoria’s Hillcrest Sports Campus on 9 September 2026. The partnership positions TuksFM as the official Sportainment Partner, adding live entertainment and vibrant campus energy to the race-day experience. Photo Credit: Supplied
Tshwane, 12 August 2026 — Pretoria’s running calendar is set for a major injection of energy as Sappi, TuksFM and TuksSport join forces to deliver the 2026 Sappi Tuks Night Race, combining mass participation running with music, entertainment and the unmistakable spirit of the University of Pretoria.
Taking place on 9 September 2026 at the University of Pretoria’s Hillcrest Sports Campus, the event is positioning itself as more than a traditional road race. With TuksFM appointed as the Official Sportainment Partner, organisers are promising an evening where fitness, entertainment and campus culture converge.
The partnership brings together three organisations with complementary strengths. Sappi will serve as the race sponsor, TuksSport will host and manage the event, while TuksFM will take responsibility for creating the entertainment experience before, during and after the race.
For Sappi, the collaboration reflects a broader commitment to using shared experiences to strengthen communities and encourage healthier lifestyles.
“At Sappi, we believe in creating shared value and building stronger communities,” says Michelle Le Roux, Public Relations and Marketing Lead at Sappi Southern Africa. “Partnering with TuksSport and TuksFM allows us to support an event that promotes wellness, while also creating an unforgettable experience for runners, families and students. This is about more than the kilometres. It’s about connection.”
Where running meets entertainment
The Sappi Tuks Night Race is designed to transform the Hillcrest Sports Campus into a vibrant night-time sporting experience, with runners expected to encounter music, entertainment and illuminated race-day activations along the route.
Race Director Jethro Moses says the partnership is helping create an event that captures the energy associated with the Tuks brand.
“The Sappi Tuks Night Race is the ultimate Tuks experience,” says Moses. “With Sappi on board and TuksFM driving the entertainment, we’re creating a night where sport meets culture. It’s not just about running. It’s about fun, music, neon lights and coming together.”
The event will cater for both competitive runners and recreational participants, reinforcing its inclusive approach to mass participation sport.
TuksFM to bring the soundtrack
As the newly appointed Official Sportainment Partner, TuksFM will be responsible for creating the atmosphere that sets the race apart.
The station will bring live DJ sets, entertainment along the route, pre-race hype and post-race celebrations, alongside exclusive content and giveaways in the build-up to race day.
TuksFM Station Manager Nicole da Silva says the station’s involvement is about translating the energy of the university and its audience into the race environment.
“TuksFM is the sound of Tuks, and now we’re the sound of the night,” says da Silva. “We’re bringing the music, the energy and the people. Whether you’re running, walking, or cheering from the sidelines, TuksFM will make sure that the Sappi Tuks Night Race is an experience you feel.”
The partnership also reinforces TuksFM’s positioning as a multimedia platform capable of connecting with young audiences beyond traditional radio.
A complete Tuks experience
Behind the event is TuksSport, the University of Pretoria’s sports department, which will host and manage the race.
With more than 30 sporting codes and programmes spanning recreational participation to high-performance sport, TuksSport brings extensive experience in sports development, athlete support and event management.
The collaboration with Sappi and TuksFM extends this sporting mandate by creating an environment that brings together athletes, students, families and the broader Pretoria community.
The result is an event designed to appeal beyond the traditional running community — combining participation, wellness, entertainment and social connection in a single experience.
Race details
The Sappi Tuks Night Race will take place on:
- Date: Wednesday, 9 September 2026
- Venue: Hillcrest Sports Campus, University of Pretoria
- Start time: 18:30
- Distances: 5km and 10km
- Entries: Open via Entry Ninja
With the countdown to race day underway, organisers are inviting runners and walkers to experience an evening where the finish line is only part of the attraction.
Run the night. Own the light. Live the Tuks Experience.
