The race will pass Archbishop Desmond Tutu's Soweto house

RELATED LINKS: Agony and ecstasy for Soweto Marathon winner THE Soweto Marathon lived up to its billing as one of Gauteng's top road races on Sunday, but there was agony as well as ecstasy for the winner. Read more Soweto marathon takes historic route THE Old Mutual Soweto Marathon, the richest standard marathon in the country, will take a more historic route on Sunday to celebrate South Africa's 10 years of democracy. Read more Sport and recreation WHETHER we take part in sport ourselves or are supporters of soccer, rugby and cricket teams, sport is as central to the lives of South Africans as entertainment and relaxation. Johannesburg's many recreation centres, swimming pools and other sporting facilities make an important contribution to the wellbeing of residents. Read more

Runners in one of the previous marathons

People's Race draws near SOUTH Africa's richest standard marathon is just around the corner, and athletes are advised to enter and get training. October 10, 2005 By Lucky Sindane PUT on those running shoes and start training for South Africa's richest standard marathon, the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon - more popularly known as the People's Race. The annual 42km standard marathon is to take place on Sunday, 6 November, starting and ending at Nasrec. "We are very excited about this year's event and are expecting a record field," said Athletics South Africa's chief executive, Linda Ferns. Prize money of R420 000 has been set aside, for events that include the standard 42km marathon, a 10km race and a 20km walk. The first male and female to cross the finish line will each win R50 000, while male and female first place finishers in the 10km race will each receive R5 000. The annual race is the richest standard marathon in the country. "We expect a 10 percent increase in participants from last year's event," said Athletics South Africa's manager of events, marketing and communication, Phiwe Tsholetsane. "We get more entries on the [day before] the race." Sponsors include Old Mutual, City of Johannesburg, Johannesburg Water, ABI, Kaya fm, Coca-Cola, PowerAde, Adidas, Total Sports and Clinix. "Johannesburg Water has come on board and we are going to have lots of water at our refreshment stations," Tsholetsane said. The marathon starts at Nasrec Road, and the route is the same as last year. It follows Vilakazi Street, past Archbishop Desmond Tutu's house and Nelson Mandela's first house, then turns right at Maseko Street and on to Khumalo Street from the Hector Pietersen Memorial, before rejoining Vilakazi Street. After turning left at Butshingi Street, the route joins Mtipa Street. The 10km race and the 20km walk start outside Gate 2 at the Nasrec Expo centre. Entrance fees are R55 for the marathon, R30 for the walk and R25 for the 10km race. Entry forms can be collected from the Athletics South Africa offices in Houghton or from Total Sports stores at Westgate, Southgate, Eastgate, East Rand Mall, Cresta Shopping Centre and Menlyn Park in Pretoria. Runners can also enter online, on the SA Active website. Postal entries close on Friday, 22 October. Other entries close a day before the race, on 5 November. No entries will be taken on the day of the race. For more information contact Athletics South Africa on 011 880 5800. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za