Soweto Marathon Digimag Official Race Magazine | Page 7

Foreword by the Soweto Marathon
Trust Chairman, Sello Khunou
Our first edition of the
People’s Race saw 80
runners line up on
our start line, and 25
editions later we will see
40,000 runners line up
for the 26 th edition of
the Soweto Marathon,
making this the biggest
multi-distance one-day
running event in the country!
As the Soweto Marathon Trust,
we could not be more proud of this
Foreword by the Old Mutual Chief
Marketing Officer, Vuyo Lee
Once again we are proud
to be sponsoring the much-
loved People’s Race.
It has always made
sense for Old Mutual
to support the running
world as there is a
natural parallel between
physical and financial
fitness. Both require a clear
goal, motivation, coaching,
support and commitment.
We also
know that the world of runners has been
changing in interesting ways. More than ever before, it is about a sense
of community and social activism. It is for this reason that Old Mutual
is reimaginging our role and investment within this widely accessible
and community driven sport. For us to remain relevant, engaging
and add more value to this community, we are looking at partnering
with running crews. To this end, we recently formalised our first
running crew partnership, which is actually a social movement called
#MoveTheNation.
The collaborative spirit of this dynamic group of experienced
athletes, coaches and mentors strongly resonates with us as a brand
as it inspires many others to run collectively with a purpose. Their
#MoveLiveBecome hashtag and “Running together to win together”
philosophy is in line with our organisational purpose of championing
mutually positive futures everyday.
Foreword by Race Director, Danny
Blumberg
As the local organising
committee, we are
proud to bring you the
2019 edition of the
Soweto Marathon. It
is remarkable what we
have achieved over the
past couple of years,
and we are humbled to
have 40,000 people at this
year’s event.
monumental achievement. They say it takes a village, and that could
not be more true, with many who work tirelessly behind the scenes to
ensure that the race runs smoothly. We also need to thank each and
every sponsor of the race – without your contribution we would not be
able to make the Soweto Marathon the success it is.
This iconic race, starting and finishing at the FNB Stadium, takes each
runner on a journey through Soweto, with our route passing significant
Heritage Sites that tell the story of the struggle that South Africa faced,
and also how we overcame it.
This is also an appropriate theme as we wish each and every
runner crossing our start line a good race. You will go through
struggles, but you will also overcome them, and crossing that
finish line will be a true testament of this year’s race campaign,
#LaceUpConquerYourHard. Thank you for being part of the biggest
edition of our Race.
Over the last few months, we have been hosting sessions with social
runners in Soweto and Sandton, encouraging them to take small steps
today towards great rewards tomorrow. We have seen runners push
towards their personal best in preparation for Soweto Marathon while
we also provide them with access to financial management tools and
rewards. We are looking forward to seeing the runners rise to the
occasion on race day and one of them be awarded with a fully paid
trip to the Barcelona Marathon in 2020 for having prepared
well and also taken the right steps towards their financial goals.
As a responsible business our involvement in sponsorships always
extends to the broader communities we serve. To ensure the Old
Mutual Soweto Marathon is an inclusive race, we have partnered with
Soweto Marathon Trust and the Orlando West High School to ensure
that more than 400 runners from out of town are accomodated and
catered for in the Runners Village.
This concept, piloted in 2017, ensures that several hundred athletes
with limited financial means will be provided with free accommodation,
ablution amenities, shuttle transport and warm meals ahead of the race.
We will also be supporting the learners of the school with donations of
school shoes and sanitary towels.
As a proud sponsor of the Soweto Marathon since 2013, we applaud
everyone taking part and wish you a wonderful running experience,
one that generates much goodwill and camaraderie. We thank the
organisers and our partners for putting together another icon Soweto
Marathon. 
The time is now to run with the greats and be your exceptional best,
physically and financially. All your supporters, including Old Mutual,
have your back.
I would like to thank the dedicated technical team, running clubs and
volunteers who have worked very hard to ensure race day is a success.
We welcome all the international and local athletes to this iconic event,
and we wish all the best to the athletes participating in the different
distances. With all the preparation behind you, race day is your
opportunity to achieve. Enjoy your race, the People’s Race!
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