Soweto Marathon “Coming Home”

Johannesburg 20 September 2006 – Athletics South Africa (ASA) in partnership with Nedbank, today announced exciting changes regarding the route, venue and format for the 2006 Nedbank Soweto Marathon, promising the event will be bigger, better and more exciting than ever before.

The flagship event of the Nedbank City Marathon Series will be run on Sunday, 5 November 2006, starting and finishing at Elkah Stadium, Moroka in Soweto.

The 15th running of South Africa’s most popular township road race will incorporate a 42,2km marathon, 20km walk, 10km wheelchair race, 10km road race and 5km dash/fun run.

ASA has adopted the slogan “Coming Back Home to Soweto” to celebrate the 15th running and mark the first occasion on which the race will start, finish and be run entirely within the confines of the 21 sprawling and vibrant townships which comprise the modern-day Soweto.

It has been said, “the path through Africa runs through Soweto and Soweto is a microcosm of the soul of South Africa”.

Since its establishment in 1905 as a dormitory for migrant mineworkers, Soweto over the years has lured thousands of squatters and desperate job seekers towards the city of Johannesburg, to evolve its own unique, upbeat and urban African character.

Proudly bearing the scars of its apartheid past, today’s Soweto is a heady mixture of matchbox houses, with millionaire mansions, hawkers, spaza shops, shebeens and modern commerce, an urban African culture with a spirit of hospitality, reconciliation and optimism of its own.

Nedbank is proud to take the event to the people of Soweto.  The Marathon epitomises Nedbank’s commitment to being highly involved in local communities.

The Nedbank Soweto Marathon is one of a number of initiatives supported by Nedbank in the broader Soweto community.

The combined effect of our initiatives demonstrates to the people of Soweto that Nedbank truly does ‘Make Things Happen’”, says Patrick Baransky, Nedbank Sponsorship Portfolio Manager for Road Running.

The first Soweto Marathon was run with a small field of runners in December 1991.  A lack of funding prevented a race in 1992, but it was re-established in 1993 with the people of Soweto spilling out into the streets in full support of the race.

The Soweto Marathon crowd support has since become legendary, with the warmth, goodwill and energy of spectators in their thousands encouraging runners every step of the way.

“This year we are asking the people of Soweto to come out wearing green to show their support for the runners”, said ASA General Manager Linda Ferns.

Ferns confirmed that a star-studded field is anticipated to lead over 10,000 participants in the 2006 Nedbank Soweto Marathon.

It will be South Africa’s richest standard marathon with a total prize purse of R576,300, including  R60,000 1st prizes for men and for women, R30,000 for 2nd placed men and women, R20,000 for 3rd placed runners, and prizes to 10th position, as well as attractive age category incentives.

Lucrative prizes are also on offer in the 10km race and 20km walk with 1st prizes of R5,000 for men and women in both races.

For the first time at Soweto, R5,000 1st prizes are also on offer in each of two categories in the 10km Wheelchair Race, which will commence 10 minutes prior to the simultaneous 06h00 start of the Nedbank Soweto Marathon 42,2km and 10km races.

“ASA, with the strong backing of Nedbank, is committed to working in close cooperation with the SA Sports Association for the Physically Disabled to create opportunities for athletes with disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics”, said Ferns.

The brand new course for the 42,2km marathon commences in Koma Street just off Potchefstroom Road and takes in several historical and cultural landmarks including Walter Sisulu Square, Kliptown, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Vilakazi Street (the only street in the world to house two Noble Peace Prize winners) boasting  the home of former President Nelson Mandela now a museum and Archbishop Desmond Tutu), Hector Peterson Memorial, Morris Isaacson School, Oppenheimer Memorial, Winnie Madikizela -Mandela’s current home and the Jabulani Hostels.
The 10km race starts in Vundla Street and the 20km walk start in Gumede Street just outside Elkah Stadium.

Both 10km and 20km routes later converge with the 42,2km route and there will be one finish for all three races inside Elkah Stadium.

Finishers will receive a medal, t-shirt and complimentary goody bag.

Closing date for entries for the 42,2km, 20km walk and 10km race is Friday 27 October. Athletes need not belong to a club to participate, however certain age restrictions will apply.

Runners may enter online on www.nedbank.co.za or alternatively entry forms will be available through athletic clubs, sports stores, Nedbank branches and other outlets.  Queries should be directed to Athletics South Africa (011) 880 5800 or [email protected].

For aspiring runners too young, less energetic, or those who fail to meet the closing date, the 5km dash/fun run will offer an opportunity to join in the fun and participate in the festivities of the day.

Entries for the 5km dash will be taken at Elkah Stadium on the morning of the race and it will start at 07h40.

The 2006 Nedbank Soweto Marathon is not only the flagship, but also the final event in the first year of the Nedbank City Marathon and Matha Series, which has introduced a whole new level of competition, excitement and glamour to the sport of road running in South Africa.

Nedbank Matha Series events leading up to Soweto are the 20km in George on Saturday, 14 October 2006, and the Nedbank SA 10km Championships in Stellenbosch on Saturday, 21 October 2006.