Soweto Marathon confirms 30th edition despite ongoing disputes

IT IS OFFICIAL. The Soweto Marathon will take place this year and entries for what will be the 30th edition of the popular road race are open.

Though aptly nicknamed “The People’s Race”, the Soweto Marathon almost always courts controversy, with battles between the Soweto Trust, the Soweto clubs and sometimes the administrators of the sport — Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) and Athletics South Africa (ASA) — commonplace.

And the status quo remains, with a statement released by the Soweto Marathon Non-Profit Company (NPC), who run the race on behalf of the athletics clubs of Soweto, confirming the fights continue.

“It is noted with concern that Mr Ishe/David Sathikge was expelled by ASA on July 1, 2023, and he is not allowed to address any meeting relating to the Soweto Marathon in any capacity,” the statement sent to the media read.

"Both Mr Benjamin Khunou and David Sathikge are also precluded from holding any administrative position in the sport of athletics, as expressed by general counsel of ASA, who have unanimously resolved to expel them from the sport.

"Finally, Stan Itshegetseng has also been placed on indefinite suspension by the CGA Board, pending a disciplinary hearing, so he too is not allowed to address any correctly constituted meeting relating to the Soweto Marathon in any capacity."

The battles notwithstanding, the race is set to go on with African Bank remaining the headline sponsor and the route unchanged.

The Soweto Marathon is renowned for the route of the standard marathon (42.195km), which takes in eight significant heritage sites: Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Walter Sisulu Square, Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Credo Mutwa Cultural Village, Morris Isaacson High School and June 16 Memorial Acre, Vilakazi Street and the Hector Pieterson Memorial.

NPC spokesperson Jabu Mbuli says that “the athletics clubs of Soweto own this race” and that “the job of the NPC is to execute another remarkably run iconic event that is unrivalled in passion, spirit, unity and celebration; just like they did in both 2023 and 2024”.

“We are grateful to once again have the trust of the athletics clubs of Soweto. The support given to us from all our other partners, clubs, governing bodies and runners has been nothing short of extraordinary. We know the standard our community expects and promise you nothing short of exceptional from start gun to finish line.”

According to a statement by the NPC, entries received are already into the thousands.

Entry fees for all three categories of the race are now open and runners will undoubtedly welcome the news of the retained 2023 prices: R380 for the marathon, R300 for the 21.1km and R280 for the 10km. To enter, runners are encouraged to visit www.sowetomarathon.com.

The prize money remains equal for both the men’s and women’s categories, with the top prize for the 42.2km Open winner set at R250 000.