Legendary Middle-Distance icons will be inducted into the South African Hall of Fame this week. They are De Villiers Lamprecht and Johan Fourie. They will be honoured at the 2025 Dagbreek Street Mile. The 15th annual Dagbreek Street Mile will take place on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, in Stellenbosch.
“The induction of these two icons is a testament to the rich history of South African athletics, said Johnny Burger, Chairman of the South African Hall of Fame.
Legendary Middle-Distance Icons to be inducted into South African Hall of Fame
Both De Villiers Lamprecht and Johan Fourie have 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). This was achieved on 13 November 1964 at Coetzenburg in Stellenbosch. Remarkably, he remains the only athlete in the world to have achieved this milestone barefoot.
Burger added, “Their achievements continue to inspire young athletes to push boundaries and dream big.”
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.
Honouring South African Sporting Legends
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.
“We are proud to welcome them into the Hall of Fame,” said Johnny Burger, Chairman of the South African Hall of Fame.
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 feat that remains unmatched.
A Fitting Tribute at the Dagbreek Street Mile
The Dagbreek Street Mile is a prestigious race held annually since 2011 in honour of De Villiers Lamprecht. It serves as the perfect occasion for this induction. The event has become a cornerstone of South African middle-distance running. It is supported each year by Johan Fourie’s training group, Dogsquad.
READ MORE: The South African Hall of Fame
Fourie won the first-ever street mile race held in South Africa in Port Elizabeth on 27 December 1982. He will celebrate this milestone this week. 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 acknowledges the remarkable careers of Lamprecht and Fourie. It also preserves their legacy for generations to come. The South African Hall of Fame is a registered non-profit trust established in 2017. It operates under the values of Celebrate | Inspire | Empower. This is to ensure that the legacy of greatness continues to shape the future of South Africa.
“The South African Hall of Fame inspires future generations by sharing the inspiring stories of South Africa’s greatest achievers.”
It’s committed to celebrating the extraordinary achievements of South Africa’s legends. This is in the categories of sport, arts, leadership, and culture. It inspires national pride, brings hope, and provides role models who motivate future generations. At the same time, they empower talented youth with limited resources via its Legacy Project, providing bursaries, opportunities and support needed to help them achieve their full potential.
“This is to ignite ambition and determination in others to dream boldly, rise above challenges, and believe in their potential to achieve extraordinary success.”
