Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 100, November 2017 | Page 11

05
2017
WELCOME TO SOWETO
THE PEOPLE’S RACE OFFERS A UNIQUE RUNNING EXPERIENCE
W
ill you be running the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon this year? If you are,
you’re in for a treat! More water points, historical sites, and massive
local support are just some of the elements that make this an absolute
must-do marathon on every runner’s bucket list.
Such is the popularity of the race that entries were sold out within six weeks of
opening this year, reaching the entry cap of 25,000 in record time. That means
a total of 10,000 runners will line up outside the Calabash, the iconic Stadium in
Soweto, for the start of the marathon at 6am on Sunday 5 November, while another
9000 are entered for the half marathon, and a further 6000 will do the 10km.
The Old Mutual Soweto Marathon takes you on a tour of Soweto, with a number of
historical and notable landmarks along the way. One of the first is the Chris Hani
Baragwanath Hospital approximately 5km into the race. Bara, as it is commonly
known, is the third-largest hospital in the world, and the second-largest in Africa,
with 3200 beds and around 6700 staff members.
You will also run past the Regina Mundi Church in the suburb of Moroka. During the
Apartheid era, this church opened its doors to anti-apartheid groups and provided
shelter to activists, and thus it became known as ‘the people’s church,’ or ‘the
people’s cathedral.’
Around 12km into the race, you pass through Kliptown, where you will find Walter
Sisulu Square and the Soweto Hotel. It was here in the Square that the Congress of
the People met on 26 June 1955 to draw up the famous Freedom Charter.
At halfway you go past the Soweto Theatre, before heading towards the famous
Vilakazi Street, which at one stage was home to both former President of South
Africa, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, making it the only street
in the world to have been home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners. It is the most
popular tourist attraction in Soweto.
Nearby lies the Hector Pieterson Memorial, the next landmark you will pass. This
memorial to the students and scholars who were killed during the Soweto Uprising
on 16 June 1976 is a poignant reminder of the brave people who gave their lives to
see change in South Africa.
Another landmark is the Morris Isaacson High School, which will play host to the
first ever Soweto Marathon Runners’ Village, providing accommodation for 600
runners on the weekend of the race, provided they are unemployed and qualify for
assistance. Old Mutual will be making this possible through funding and Future Life
will be providing the meals.
All this and more, as well as the incredible support of the Soweto Residents, will be part or your Old Mutual Soweto
Marathon experience come 5 November. The People’s Race awaits you.
www.sowetomarathon.com
11