By Nina Guy
The 15th annual Dagbreek Straatmyl, part of the annual Woordfees, transformed Stellenbosch’s Victoria Street into an athletics track on Wednesday, 15 October. Each year, the event brings together athletes of all ages, experience levels and backgrounds. Anyone, from young children to experienced runners, can take part.
A highlight of the Dagbreek Straatmyl was the induction of two athletes into the South African Hall of Fame. The ceremony emphasised the importance of the event and honoured the achievements of these athletes as the crowd paused to appreciate the moment. The middle distance legends, De Villiers Lamprecht and Johan Fourie, were recognised for their lasting impact on South African athletics. Lamprecht, the first South African athlete to complete a dream mile barefoot at Coetzenburg, and Fourie, who achieved 53 dream miles, both left a permanent mark on the history of the sport
Photo by Nina Guy.
The event features a wide range of categories aimed at including participants of all ages and interests. From boys’ and girls’ divisions (ages 10 and 13) all the way to skateboarding and the well-known Pretmyl. In the men’s Pretmyl category, Lucas Coetzee claimed victory with an impressive time of 4 minutes and 52,92 seconds, while in the women’s category, Jade Miller took first place with a time of 5 minutes and 16,74 seconds. According to William Louw, “It’s a Dagbreek tradition that has been going on for a very long time, it’s quite a big event. We’re also glad that Woordfees has become part of it.”
The atmosphere was lively and full of energy. Stellenbosch High School cheerleaders lifted the crowd’s spirits, while the men’s Pretmyl division filled Victoria Street with excitement and cheers as each runner reached the finish line with determination. The race ended with participants running down Victoria Street, cheered on and greeted with a can of Red Bull. Even the skateboard division attracted great interest, as riders sped down the street with style and confidence, giving a modern twist to the traditional event.
With its mix of history and spirit, the 2025 Dagbreek Straatmyl proved that it is not just a race, but a celebration of Stellenbosch culture and tradition.
