Curro Sport proudly announces the launch of the Curro Podium Relay Series – the electrifying next phase of South Africa’s most anticipated athletics event.
From vision to victory
The Curro Podium series has already etched its name in the annals of South African school athletics. What began as an ambitious vision has transformed into a podium for champions, a crucible where talent is forged and futures are shaped. Now, the relay series component promises to elevate this.
“Curro believes that every child matters. When we started with Podium, one of our goals was to create an event like today with the idea of creating a platform to produce champions,” explains Cindy van der Merwe, Portfolio Manager of Curro Sport. “The thinking was that the athletes representing South Africa should be from the opportunities created by the Curro Podium. This has already happened with learners representing the country and breaking African Championship records.
Her words carry the weight of proven success, to a platform that has already seen athletes progress from school tracks to global stages, breaking national records along the way.
The power of the relay
Why relay racing? Because nothing in sport exemplifies the power of unity like the seamless exchange of a baton between teammates. The Curro Podium Relay Series recognises that while individual brilliance shines, collective excellence burns eternal. It’s where speed meets strategy, where trust becomes tangible, and where four hearts beat as one toward a common finish line.
Mark your calendars, the stage is set for the regional showcases:
Southern Regionals:
- Date: Saturday, 28 November 2025
- Venue: Curro Durbanville, Durbanville
Northern Regionals:
- Date: Friday, 3 December 2025
- Venue: Tuks Athletics Stadium, University of Pretoria
A competition for every champion
The relay embraces diversity in all its forms, welcoming:
- Primary schools – boys, girls, and mixed teams
- High schools – boys, girls, and mixed teams
- Universities and clubs – male, female, and mixed teams
Across five age categories (U11, U13, U15, U17, and Open), athletes will battle in events ranging from the explosive 4x100m sprints to the strategic 4x400m races, concluding in the crowd-pleasing medley relays that test every facet of athletic ability.
With 24 teams per category, the competition promises to be fierce, focused, and utterly compelling. Each 90-minute programme will be a masterclass in athletic excellence, were split-second timing and seamless teamwork separate champions from contenders.
The broader tapestry
The relay launch builds upon the established success of the broader Curro Podium series, which continues to set new standards in South African school athletics. The high school series, scheduled for September and October, will finish in the grand finale at Pilditch Stadium in February 2026. Meanwhile, the primary school component – a groundbreaking first for 2025 – opens doors for budding athletes aged 7 to 13, making sure that the pipeline of talent flows strong and steady.
“Every champion was once a beginner. Every pro was once an amateur. Every icon was once an unknown,” adds van der Merwe
Details for Curro Podium Series:
- Date: Friday, 24 October 2025
- Venue: Dal Josafat Athletics Stadium, Paarl
The high school series shows fierce competition across three distinct categories: boys, girls, and combined teams, with age groups spanning under 15, under 17 and under 19. Strategic team composition is key, as each squad consists of 14 athletes, with competitors limited to no more than two individual events to ensure balanced participation. Competition depth is further structured by allowing no more than three athletes per event per age group, while regional events provide opportunities for schools also in developing B-team talent.
Northern Regionals:
- Date: Friday, 19 September 2025
- Venue: Pilditch Stadium, Tshwane
Southern Regionals:
- Date: Saturday, 25 October 2025
- Venue: Dal Josafat Athletics Stadium, Paarl
The starting line awaits
The Curro Podium Relay Series stands ready to write new stories of triumph, teamwork, and transcendence. In a world where individual achievement often takes centre stage, this event celebrates the beautiful truth that sometimes, the greatest victories come not from running alone, but from running together.
“The baton is poised, the track is set, and the next generation of South African athletic excellence is ready to take their mark,” concludes van der Merwe
