It’s time to lace up your takkies or line the streets of Soweto in support of the 2015 Old Mutual Soweto Marathon – this year all routes run closer to the richest heritage trail, celebrating the township’s legacy and dynamic identity like never before.
These streets are filled with ritage and the legacy of truly great South Africans. Alive with triumph, passion and tribute, this is a race every South African should do at least once in their life, to become part of a movement that is Greater than Yourself.
The People’s Race promises an experience inspired by some of South Africa’s greats, whether runners participate in the marathon (42.2 km), the half-marathon (21.1 km) or the 10 km race.
For the first time all three routes run through the heart of Soweto, challenging all participants to revel in the township’s rich history, taking on the baton and carrying out the vision of the greats that changed the course of South African history.
“Initially, all the routes did not run into the heart of Soweto due to congestion on the route, but this year we are treating each of the races to the best Soweto has to offer,” says Sello Khunou, chairperson of the Soweto Marathon Trust (SMT).
True to tradition, The Old Mutual Soweto Marathon will connect runners from all over the world to six significant heritage sites dotted along the 42.2km marathon route including Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Walter Sisulu Square, Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Morris Isaacson High School, Vilakazi Street and Hector Pieterson Memorial. This year the 10km route will also take runners into Diepkloof, while the 21.1km route will run past the Orlando Stadium and through Orlando.
The routes were selected to offer a memorable experience and a personal challenge, with the 42.2km selected as a qualifier for the Comrades and Two Oceans Ultra Marathons.
“We understand the value and power of investing in people in order to enable a brighter future for everyone in our country,” says Bandile Mngoma, Sponsorships Manager at Old Mutual Emerging Markets. “Our partnership with Soweto Marathon is our commitment to support local initiatives that gives us the opportunity to help the local economies and businesses within our communities, coming to life.”
The marathon will start and end at the Expo Centre Johannesburg (NASREC) on 01 November 2015, and promises to be even bigger and better than last year’s successful event.
Registration for the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon closes on Tuesday, 06 October 2015.
Runners can register at www.sowetomarathon.com or manually at the following centres: Orlando Community Centre; The Sweat Shop, Dunkeld West Shopping Centre, Fourways Crossing, Bedford Arcade, and South Downs Shopping Centre; Run A Way Store in Lynwood Ridge; Central Gauteng Athletics in Germiston; The Runners Store, Transhed Shopping Centre in Pretoria; and Running – Inn in Brookline Centre in Pretoria.
Join the conversation on Twitter with #OMSowetoMarathon2015, #PeoplesRace and #GreaterThanYourself via @SowetoMarathon.