New routes have been added, in that it will now race-off from and end at the iconic and World Cup 2010 FNB Stadium-better known as Calabash– on November 6.
In the past the race experienced financial support as poorly run management was the order of the day, thus prompting the minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula to intervene, hence the participation of title sponsor Old Mutual.
“The People’s Race” that draws over 25 000 athletes -locally and internationally- will as part of the heritage Soweto advocates, pass through six significant sites namely:
*Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, the third largest hospital in the world with3,400 beds and 6,760 staff members;
* Walter Sisulu Square, the birthplace in 1955 of The Freedom Charter which outlined the vision of a non-racial South Africa based on liberty and civil rights;
* The Regina Mundi Catholic Church, which became famous for its role in the anti-apartheid struggle and where Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu presided over the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings;
* Morris Isaacson High School, where learners played a central role in the Soweto Uprising of 1976;
* Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world to have had two Nobel Prize winners as residents. They were former South African President Nelson Mandela and Tutu.
*The Hector Pieterson Memorial, named in honour of the 13-year-old who was one of the first fatal victims of police action during the Soweto Uprising.
According to the newly appointed race director Danny Blumberg, they would like this to be the ‘Boston’ or ‘New York’ marathon of South Africa, and having the start and finish at the iconic stadium will most certainly assist with this.”
The OMSM has been divided in three stages- standard marathon (42.2km) will start at 6am, the half marathon (21.1km) at 6.30am and the 10km run at 7am.
Race registration can be done online at www.sowetomarathon.com, with entries closing at midnight on September 5, or once each distance has reached its capacity (9000 participants for the 42.2km, 8000 for the 21.1km run and 8000 for the 10km run).
For more information visit www.sowetomarathon.com or contact info@sowetomarathon.com or call centre numbers 0619171001 and 0619181002.
The call centre operating hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.
Meanwhile, the new official nutritional partner for the Soweto Marathon was also announced.
Maria Ball- Brand Activations & Sponsorship Manager at FUTURELIFE®, says as functional food company with a mission to improve the health and wellbeing of everyone by helping them to make the right nutritional choices in their daily lives, with this in mind, FUTURELIFE® will sponsor Smart Food for every participant, which they will receive at the finish line, as well as support athletes with nutritional advice on their journey to race day.”
“FUTURELIFE® will also provide product smoothies on race day at the finish to replenish athletes as well as other hydration during the race at the FUTURELIFE® water point.
A FUTURELIFE® team and dietician will be available to offer nutritional advice to athletes,” she said.
