Still time to enter Soweto run

The deadline for entries for the Soweto Marathon has been extended until 5 November. There are several categories, including a 10km wheelchair race.
ATHLETICS South Africa has extended the deadline for entries for the Soweto Marathon, South Africa’s richest standard marathon, which takes place through the streets of Soweto.

Winners take homeEntries are still open (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)Entries and registration for the marathon closed on Friday, 21 October, although organisers say late registration will be allowed until a day before the race.

Known as the People’s Race, it will be run on Sunday, 6 November. The Soweto Marathon is sanctioned by the City of Joburg and is sponsored by Energade, Netcare 911 and the MTN Expo Centre. The metro police will be on hand on the day to direct the traffic where there are road closures.

The City uses the race to highlight significant developments in Soweto and to promote healthy lifestyles, leisure activities and athletics. The marathon has a total prize purse of R1-million and comprises five categories:

A 42,2km race, which starts at 6am and is reserved for athletes of 20 years and older;
A 10km wheelchair race;
A 10km race for able-bodied athletes;
A 10km walk for professional walkers, and
A 5km fun run.
The three 10km races begin at 5.50am, 6.00am and 6.40am, respectively; the 5km fun run starts at 8.30am.

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Costs
Late entries will cost R140 for the 42,2km and R90 for the 10km races and walk. Athletes without a permanent licence must get one at an additional R30 for the marathon and R15 for all 10km races. Athletes aged 60 years and older enter for free.

The cost for the 5km fun run is R10 and must be paid on the day of the race; it is not necessary to pre-enter for this race. In all, more than 15 000 athletes are expected to take part.

Executive mayor Parks Tau congratulates a winner in last year's race (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)Executive mayor Parks Tau congratulates a winner in last year's race (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)The male and female winners of the 42,2km race will each pocket R100 000; second and third placed will take home R50 000 and R25 000, respectively. Winners of the 10km run will win R5 000 each; second place will get R3 000 and third will pocket R2 000. All athletes finishing the race within time will receive a medal.

More than 10 000 people participated in the race in 2010. The day’s biggest winners were Mamoroallo Tjoka, who claimed victory in the women’s elite race, finishing in just under 2:48:36, and Nkoka Lebenya, who won the male category. It was the fifth time that Tjoka clinched the gold medal in the Soweto race.

This year’s route will be similar to that of last year, with minor detours to accommodate new developments in the township. Runners will go on a whirlwind tour of Soweto, through circuitous routes that show off some of the area’s history and new developments.

They will run through or passed some of Soweto’s historic landmarks, including Vilakazi Street, Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s house.

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Halfway
The halfway mark is in Jabavu, around the Morris Isaacson school precinct. The race will start and finish at the MTN Expo Centre in Nasrec.

It is the City’s plan to grow the race into a formidable sporting event that will lure participants from the rest of Africa and abroad, says Nthatise Modingoane, Joburg’s deputy director of communication.

Organisers say late entries are welcome but they will not receive a goodie bag or T-shirt at registration. To enter the Nedbank Soweto Marathon or for further information, contact Athletics South Africa on 011 880 5800 or email mathaseries@athleticssa.co.za.

Completed entry forms and proof of payment can be faxed to 011 327 7647 or 086 604 6880. Faxed entries will only be accepted until Friday, 28 October.

Enter online until Sunday, 30 October. No online entries will be accepted thereafter.

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