Stellenbosch, South Africa - The South African Hall of Fame is proud to announce the upcoming induction of two legendary middle-distance runners, De Villiers Lamprecht and Johan Fourie, during the 15th annual Dagbreek Street Mile on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, in Stellenbosch.
De Villiers Lamprecht and Johan Fourie to be Honoured at 2025 Dagbreek Street Mile
Celebrate | Inspire| Empower
Honouring South African Sporting Legends
Both De Villiers Lamprecht and Johan Fourie made a lasting impact on South African athletics with their record-breaking achievements and dedication to the sport.
De Villiers Lamprecht made history as the first South African athlete to run a dream mile (a mile under four minutes) on 13 November 1964 at Coetzenburg, Stellenbosch. Remarkably, he remains the only athlete in the world to have achieved this milestone barefoot. Over his career, he ran a total of five dream miles and set 15 South African records, spanning from 1500m to the marathon. Beyond his achievements on the track, he was a dedicated coach who mentored several top South African athletes. Lamprecht passed away on 1 December 2024, leaving behind a powerful legacy.
Johan Fourie holds the record for the most dream miles by a South African athlete, with an astonishing 53 sub-four-minute miles to his name. In 1987, he ran his fastest-ever mile in 3:50.82, a time that remained the South African record for 27 years and still stands as the fastest mile ever run by a South African athlete on home soil. His dominance in middle-distance running was further cemented by his nine consecutive national 1500m titles (1979–1987) and multiple record-breaking performances. Notably, on 9 February 1987, Fourie became the only athlete in history to run two dream miles within an hour—a feat that remains unmatched.
A Fitting Tribute at the Dagbreek Street Mile
The Dagbreek Street Mile, a prestigious race held annually since 2011 in honour of De Villiers Lamprecht, serves as the perfect occasion for this induction. The event, hosted in Stellenbosch, has become a cornerstone of South African middle-distance running and is supported each year by Johan Fourie’s training group, Dogsquad.
Fourie, who won the first-ever street mile race held in South Africa in Port Elizabeth on 27 December 1982, will return to celebrate this milestone. His personal best street mile time of 3:47.4 in 1984 remains one of the fastest ever recorded in South African history.
Celebrating South African Excellence
This induction not only acknowledges the remarkable careers of Lamprecht and Fourie but also preserves their legacy for generations to come.
"The induction of these two icons is a testament to the rich history of South African athletics. Their achievements continue to inspire young athletes to push boundaries and dream big. We are proud to welcome them into the Hall of Fame," said Johnny Burger, Chairman of the South African Hall of Fame.
About the South African Hall of Fame
The South African Hall of Fame is a registered non-profit trust established in 2017 operating under the values of Celebrate | Inspire | Empower, ensuring that the legacy of greatness continues to shape the future of South Africa.
The South African Hall of Fame is committed to:
- Celebrate the extraordinary achievements of South Africa’s legends in sport, arts, leadership, and culture to inspire national pride, bring hope, and provide role models who motivate future generations.
- Inspire future generations by sharing the inspiring stories of South Africa’s greatest achievers to ignite ambition and determination in others to dream boldly, rise above challenges, and believe in their potential to achieve extraordinary success.
- Empower talented youth with limited resources via its Legacy Project, providing bursaries, opportunities and support needed to help them achieve their full potential.
For more information, visit https://halloffame.co.za/
