The 30th edition of the Soweto Marathon, famously known as The People’s Race, is scheduled for 30 November 2025 at Johannesburg’s Nasrec Stadium. But while thousands have already registered, the event’s future is now shrouded in uncertainty due to a bitter ownership battle that has thrown the country’s most iconic township race into disarray.
Thousands Register for Soweto Marathon
Entries for the marathon remain open, and excitement is high among those eager to experience one of the nation’s premier running events. The race will again feature three categories:
- Standard marathon (42.2 km) – starting at 05:30
- Half-marathon (21.1 km) – starting at 06:30
- 10 km run – starting at 07:30
Entry fees are unchanged from 2023, with R380 for the marathon, R300 for the half-marathon, and R280 for the 10 km race.
Runners can look forward to a scenic route that highlights eight major heritage sites, including Vilakazi Street, the Hector Pieterson Memorial, and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Equal prize money is once again guaranteed for male and female winners, with the marathon champion walking away with a R250 000 payday.
A Power Struggle Behind the Scenes
While the event is loved by runners across the country, its future is being threatened by a major power struggle. For decades, the Soweto Marathon Trust (SMT) was the official custodian of the race. Control shifted in 2023 to Soweto Marathon (Pty) Ltd, but the company faced severe financial challenges, including frozen bank accounts, which led to the creation of a new entity — Soweto Marathon Clubs (NPC).
To complicate matters, Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) approved two dates for the 2025 event: 2 November for the SMT and 30 November for the NPC. This has sparked a bitter public feud, with SMT releasing a fiery statement rejecting the November 30 date and vowing to block the race from going ahead under the NPC.
Athletes Voice Their Concerns
The ongoing dispute has already seen a wave of withdrawals. One long-time participant expressed frustration, saying:
“I’ve run this race for years, but I’m pulling out. I’ve paid already, yet I don’t trust that the race will actually happen.”
Social media has also become a battleground, with many runners calling for a boycott. Some have accused politicians of meddling in sport, warning that greed is destroying an event that was once a proud symbol of unity and resilience.
Organisers Silent as Pressure Mounts
Adding to the uncertainty, CGA’s newly appointed administrator, Trevor Fredericks, has distanced himself from the saga, saying he has only been in office for a week. General manager Mandla Radebe has so far remained silent, deepening the sense of frustration among the running community.
The Race That May Never Happen
With thousands of runners registered and the race just weeks away, the Soweto Marathon faces its most critical moment yet. Will this year’s People’s Race go ahead as planned, or will it be remembered as the edition that never took place?
One thing is clear: until the dispute is resolved, the future of this historic marathon remains on shaky ground.
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