One of the most gratifying accomplishments of 2025 was that the Soweto Marathon finally took place and, according to those who participated, it was a success. For an avid runner like myself, it was a huge relief that left a wide smile on my face. I also know that I am talking on behalf of other runners who were forced to miss the race due to protracted ugly spats that encompassed the event with only a few months leading to race day.
The historic race was enshrouded in so much controversy and scandals that threatened to ruin the marathon.
The minute the warring factions made their intentions clear–some even promising to harm runners and other participants, the race was just hanging by a thread.
It was just a year-long battle in the courts, the media, and other social media platforms.
And so, for thousands of runners, registering and paying their hard-earned money to enroll for the race was seen as a waste of money and opted to miss the race.
The biggest challenge for the organisers and the sponsors now is to end the in-fighting and to bring back those thousands of runners in the streets of Soweto.
I have been part of the marathon since 2015 when I completed my first 10km in Aeroton and I think that the marathon, also known as the People’s Race, should be nurtured, protected and mollycoddled.
It is the only kasi race with a lot of relevance, a meeting of social participants and top runners that give hope to people in the townships that they can also take part in a marathon.
The event cannot compete with cash-flush races such as the Two Oceans, Johnson Crane, Sanlam Cape Town, and others, where sponsors are tripping over themselves to get a piece of the pie–but the initiative and the resourcefulness behind the race is so overwhelming.
It gives the people of Soweto and disadvantaged citizens so much–jobs, recreation, small-scale business, food stalls.
Not forgetting the drinking outlets drinking holes that always make a killing after the race–it is a race for the people and for the nation.
Headline sponsors African Bank should be lauded for sticking to their guns and supporting the event throughout all the ugly spats, court battles, and threats.
They were there from the starting gun to the finishing line. Other sponsors would have pulled out, they would not want the bad publicity to taint and blemish their name or reputation–they would have sped out of the race, plunging it further into the pits.
Deservedly so, the bank patted itself on the back: “The streets were alive with runners who showed courage, heart, and the true spirit of The People’s Race.
Every kilometre echoed with pride, purpose, and the audacity to believe. It was beautiful to watch you all run so strong.
“Well done for every stride, every shout, every moment. Siyabonga, re a leboga to the runners, supporters, families, volunteers and the entire Soweto community for bringing an energy that can’t be matched.
Nenze kahle. You turned this race into something unforgettable. African Bank is proud to stand with the people who make this race what it is.”
The only blemish was when a female athlete was injured, after a taxi forced its way onto the route and hit her on the Soweto Highway, around Orlando. She was hospitalised and is in a critical condition.
But that can be avoided if the race is again held on a Sunday, and not Saturday as it was the case this year. Many townships are chaotic on Saturday mornings, with long funeral processions, taxis running riot, and people going to work, weddings, and other gatherings.
Sundays are calmer and easier to manoeuvre. And here’s hoping that those thousands of runners will come back next year. One runner lost is just one too many.
