Soweto Marathon back from the brink of collapse
This race is open for all communities and I would urge all of them to register in their numbers and help us to keep our status as the country’s biggest one day race event, says race founder Thulani Sibisi.
Soweto marathon founder Thulani Sibisi has called on fitness fanatics to come in droves to register to join the marathon when 50 000 expected participants finally pound the streets of the largest township in the country on November 5.
Sibisi was speaking to Alex News at the launch of the marathon which had been mired by controversy and came from the brink of collapse due to infighting.
“When I started the race 28 years ago [1995], I wanted to give our African people their own race which they could be proud of, and also provide other communities outside the township, especially the white community an opportunity to mix and mingle with their African counterparts.
“This race is open for all communities, and I would urge all of them, especially our brothers and sisters from Alexandra to register and help us to keep our status as the country’s biggest one-day race event that we won last year and our target participation this year is 50 000,” said Sibisi.
During the launch, marathon organisers introduced their headline sponsor, African Bank, which has allowed the race event to adopt a new name the African Bank Soweto Marathon.
The bank’s chief marketing officer Sibusiso Khumalo wasted no time in calling on other corporates to come on board to further grow the project [Soweto Marathon] into a formidable race event.
“The apartheid system would not have thrived if the government did not have the massive financial backing from business and other institutions and this project [Soweto Marathon] needs the same backing to make the success that we want it to be as a nation-building and social cohesion initiative project,” Khumalo said.
Athletics South Africa president James Moloi, explaining their quiet diplomacy during the board’s infighting, said the road race mother body wanted to give the parties space to sit around the table and find each other rather than being coerced into coming together.
“It’s not all the time that an outsider’s intervention solves a misunderstanding because people will want to associate you with a certain faction of the board depending on which elements are being presented and those that resonate with you will lead the other faction to accuse you of taking sides,” he said.
Soweto Marathon Trust spokesperson Thokozani Mazibuko said the 10km, 21.1km and 42.2km races will all start and finish at the iconic FNB Stadium and will honour Soweto’s rich history along the route.
Participants will run past eight significant heritage sites on the marathon route, which will include the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital; Walter Sisulu Square; the Regina Mundi Catholic Church; Credo Mutwa Cultural Village; Morris Isaacson High School and the June 16 Memorial Acre; Vilakazi Street and the Hector Pietersen Memorial.
“We are extremely grateful to African Bank for their backing and belief in our treasured property. With their support and the support of multiple other partners, we will continue to deliver a product that sees thousands return year upon year to enjoy this exceptionally executed event, run by the people, for the people,” Mazibuko added.
Details: www.sowetomarathon.com
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