When the South African Rally-Raid Championship heads to Stella in Northwest from 24 to 26 July, competitors won’t simply be racing against the clock – they’ll be taking on the longest and only three-day marathon event on the 2026 championship calendar in a test that demands endurance, precision, strategy and teamwork.
Covering almost 1 000 kilometres, the GR Stella 1000 Marathon is regarded as one of the toughest challenges in South African rally-raid racing. While outright speed remains important, success over three demanding days depends just as much on accurate navigation, mechanical reliability, careful race management and the ability of both crews and support teams to perform consistently under sustained pressure.
This year’s route promises an even greater challenge, combining fast, open terrain with tight, highly technical sections and completely new routes that have never before been traversed in the championship. One of the stages closely resembles terrain used during the internationally acclaimed South African Safari Rally, giving competitors a taste of the same demanding conditions that tested some of the world’s best rally-raid crews.
“The GR Stella 1000 Marathon has become one of the signature events on our calendar because it tests every aspect of rally-raid competition,” says Archie Rutherford, CEO of the South African Rally-Raid Championship. “Success isn’t simply about being the fastest. It requires exceptional navigation, physical and mental endurance, smart race strategy and the ability of technical teams to prepare vehicles overnight so they are ready to tackle another demanding day. We are extremely honoured and proud of our longstanding relationship with Toyota and highly respectful of their outstanding performance over many decades. We look forward to welcoming competitors to the GR Stella 1000 Marathon in the Northwest Province.”
Unlike a conventional rally-raid event, the marathon format places sustained demands on both competitors and support crews. Nutrition, hydration and fatigue management become critical over three days of racing, while mechanics often have only a limited overnight servicing window to inspect, repair and prepare vehicles before the next stage begins. Every decision, from tyre choice to pace management, can influence the final outcome.
As title sponsor, Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa continues a relationship with South African marathon rally-raid racing spanning more than four decades. From the original Toyota Trans Kalahari events through the legendary Toyota 1000 Desert Race and now the GR Stella 1000 Marathon, Toyota’s commitment to quality, durability and reliability has become synonymous with endurance motorsport.
“The 1000 Marathon has always been one of the iconic events on the South African motorsport calendar,” says Glenn Crompton, Vice President: Marketing at Toyota South Africa Motors. “Marathon racing is at the very heart of rally-raid. While our event is contested over three days rather than the two weeks of the Dakar Rally, it asks many of the same questions of crews and their vehicles. It tests people and machinery in a way that no normal weekend event can.”
The Stella region has already earned international recognition after hosting the overnight bivouac for the marathon stage of the inaugural South African Safari Rally in 2025, part of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship. Many of South Africa’s leading competitors experienced the terrain during that event, but this year’s GR Stella 1000 Marathon introduces new sections that will challenge even the most experienced crews.
Beyond the competition itself, the event delivers a welcome economic boost to Stella and surrounding communities as competitors, support teams, officials, media and spectators utilise local accommodation, restaurants and businesses throughout race weekend. A nominal entrance fee to the Designated Service Park will also be used to raise funds for a local school, ensuring the event leaves a positive legacy within the community.
Spectators can enjoy close-up access to the action through the championship’s VIP Experience, which includes all-day access to the Designated Service Park, meals and transport to carefully selected spectator points offering some of the best viewing opportunities along the route.
“With valuable championship points at stake and almost 1 000 kilometres separating the start from the finish, only those crews capable of combining speed, consistency, precision and reliability over three demanding days will emerge victorious when the GR Stella 1000 Marathon concludes on 26 July,” concludes Rutherford.
