About 25 000 runners took part in the 23rd Old Mutual Soweto Marathon, also known as “The People’s Race’ this past weekend.
The marathon once again attracted widespread support with the 2016 entries having increased by 6000 compared to 2015. Runners lined up at the start at Soccer City FNB Stadium across the 42km, 21km and 10km races.
The route honours Soweto’s rich history and runners passed six significant heritage sites on the marathon route namely the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Walter Sisulu Square, Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Morris Isaacson High School, Vilakazi Street as well as the Hector Pieterson Memorial.
Ethiopian runners Sintayehu Legese Yigesu and Selam Abere Alebachu finished first at the 42km men’s and women’s respectively, drawing huge cheers. This was Yigesu’s third crown in a row in an impressive time of 2:20:44 and Alebachu’s first crown in a time of 2:42:32. David Manja and Joel Mohau handed SA a one-two finish in the half marathon, while Onneile Dintwe of Botswana won the women’s race ahead of SA runners Lebogang Phalula and Christine Kalmer. Locals Namakoe Nkasi and Chery-Lee Schoeman won the 10km race.
Old Mutual, together with Wildlands yet again created an impressive stand at the exhibition hall where “Old Mutual Soweto Marathon” branded merchandise including running caps, buffs, vests, visors as well as running vests was sold at an impressive rate to both runners and the public who had come to collect their race packs. Wildlands’ raked in sales over R100 000 in support of the Recycling and Trees for Life projects.
The Wildlands part of the expo also included a kids’ activation where kids could colour in leaves and various species that Wildlands protects, as a way for them to pledge their commitment towards a sustainable future through recycling, planting an indigenous tree and conserving our heritage. In addition, the expo also provided a platform for Wildlands to engage and inform runners about the Old Mutual Wild Series events for 2017.
“It’s such a privilege to be part of the ‘People’s race’. The running community continue to show our projects incredible support,” said Wildlands Strategic Marketing Manager, Buyi Makhoba. “Thank you to Old Mutual who continue to be our biggest supporters, enabling us to work side by side to make a huge difference through the endurance space and helps us raise funds towards a sustainable future for all”, she concluded.
“The Old Mutual Soweto Marathon is one of the most iconic events on the South African road running calendar, and we are proud to be associated with a race that commemorates our past while building bridges for the future,” says Karen Thomas, Old Mutual Head of Brand.
WILDTRUST (registered as the Wildlands Conservation Trust - IT No: 4329/1991/PMB)