Pretoria’s ultimate night run gets an extra shot of energy as Seattle Coffee joins the 2026 line-up, bringing coffee, food, prizes and a vibrant activation to race night
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA — 3 September 2026 — The Sappi Tuks Night Race is set to turn up the energy when thousands of runners, students, families and supporters converge at the University of Pretoria’s Hillcrest Sports Campus on 9 September, with Seattle Coffee Company joining the much-anticipated event as its Official Coffee Partner.
The partnership adds a distinctly South African flavour to Pretoria’s signature night-running experience, with Seattle Coffee set to create a dedicated presence in the Race Village, offering runners and spectators a combination of coffee, food, entertainment and prizes.
With the race starting at 18:30, the partnership is designed to fuel participants before they take on the course while keeping the Race Village buzzing well after runners cross the finish line.
“The Sappi Tuks Night Race keeps getting bigger and better, and this year is truly not to be missed,” says Jethro Moses.
For TuksSport, the partnership represents a natural fit between two brands with strong connections to young people, sport and community.
“Seattle Coffee is an iconic South African brand loved by students, athletes, families and communities,” says Joshua Chitisika, Deputy Director: Enterprises and Services at TuksSport.
“As our official Coffee Partner, they bring that extra energy and comfort that makes race night so special — whether you are lined up for a personal best or enjoying the vibe in the Race Village.”
Seattle Coffee says its involvement is about more than simply serving coffee. The brand sees the race as an opportunity to participate in an experience that brings together Pretoria’s running community, students and families.
“We love being part of moments that bring people together, and the Sappi Tuks Night Race is exactly that,” says the Head of Marketing at Seattle Coffee.
“It’s not just about the run — it’s about the energy, the community and the incredible atmosphere that Pretoria brings. We’re excited to fuel and keep UP awake!”
More than a night run
The Seattle Coffee partnership forms part of a broader 2026 Sappi Tuks Night Race experience that blends running with entertainment, music, neon lights and community engagement.
Race-goers can look forward to a Seattle Coffee food and coffee stall, activation zone, cheer zone and unique prizes, adding another layer to what has become one of Pretoria’s most distinctive sporting events.
The event is also carrying a significant social-impact component.
As Sappi celebrates its 90th anniversary, the company is using the race to support students at the University of Pretoria through its #DegreesDelivered initiative.
Sappi will match every race entry purchased, while R50 from every entry will go towards student bursaries and degree delivery through the DIA.
“Our Thrive Strategy is about connection and energy, and together with Seattle Coffee and our family of partners — Joma Sport, Volkano, TuksFM and USN — we are creating a race experience that truly delivers for our community and for our UP students through our R90 000 bursary offer and our #DegreesDelivered initiative,” says Michelle Le Roux, Public Relations and Marketing Lead at Sappi Southern Africa.
The initiative gives the race a purpose beyond the finish line, linking participation in the event to tangible opportunities for students.
Run the night
Hosted by TuksSport, the sporting department of the University of Pretoria, the Sappi Tuks Night Race has established itself as a distinctive fixture on Pretoria’s running calendar.
The event combines competitive running with an entertainment-led Race Village, creating an environment that caters not only to serious athletes chasing personal bests, but also to recreational runners, students, families and spectators.
The 2026 edition will take place on Wednesday, 9 September, at the Hillcrest Sports Campus, University of Pretoria, with the race starting at 18:30.
Entries are currently open through Entry Ninja.
Seattle Coffee joins an established partner line-up that includes Sappi as Title Sponsor, Joma Sport as Official Technical Partner, TuksFM as Official Sportainment Partner, USN as Official Hydration Partner and Volkano as Official Number One Tech Partner.
With coffee, music, neon lights, entertainment and a strong social-impact purpose coming together, this year’s event promises to be about considerably more than simply running after sunset.
For Pretoria’s running community, the message is clear: enter the race, embrace the atmosphere and run the night.
Own the light. Live the Tuks Experience.
