On November 5th, the 2023 Soweto Marathon will go ahead with a new broadcaster, sponsor and lower entry fees. On Wednesday, the organizers announced it, saying they were aiming for 50,000 participants. The Soweto Marathon invites athletes from all over South Africa to participate. Formally known as the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon, this event is made up of a 42.2 kilometer standard marathon, a 21.1 kilometer half marathon, and a 10 kilometer run. The race takes place at the beautiful FNB Stadium in the vibrant and historic Soweto Township, just outside of Johannesburg, Gauteng’s city centre. This is both the start and finish location. Each participant will receive a race pack; containing a race number, a free jersey, a timing chip and a race/bib number; as well as a commemorative medal.
Soweto Marathon 2023
Soweto is the largest municipality in the country and has a deep and complex history. Today, it is a vibrant center of activity and growth, telling a moving story of the Rainbow Nation that is South Africa. After Old Mutual’s withdrawal a few years ago, African Bank took over as title sponsor for five years. The broadcaster, pay channel Supersport, contracted to Athletics South Africa (ASA) for all local athletics events, will televise the race, which offers a full marathon, half marathon and 10km.
Entry fees have been reduced to R380 from R550 for the marathon, R280 from R350 for the 10km and R300 from R450 for the 21.1km. Almost 20,000 runners participated last year. Making it the one-day race with the largest mass participation in the country, despite the fact that the event does not have corporate backing. R250,000 would still be the first prize. Race director Danny Blumberg said: ‘We are ready for you. We have organized an event with more than 40,000, compared to the projected goal of 50,000 tickets. On Wednesday, registration for the “People’s Race” will be open at midnight on sowetomarathon.com and race collection will take place at the FNB Stadium from November 2-4.
“Having the Soweto Marathon take place this year is the biggest award we all have to celebrate.” This is what African Bank marketing director Sbusiso Khumalo had to say when asked why, despite the bank coming on board as the new title sponsor of the race, the first prize is still R250,000. Khumalo suggested that the money in the bag could rise in the coming years, insisting that the first step was to make sure the race took place amid the chaos that erupted a few weeks ago when some of the Soweto board members Trust, who have since been suspended, declared the race to be abandoned.
Categories: Trending
Source: vtt.edu.vn