October 25, 2007
By George Matlala
EXECUTIVE Mayor Amos Masondo has thrown his weight behind the People's Race, saying that it draws attention to the initiatives the City is taking to develop the southern part of Joburg.
About 20 000 runners are expected to take part in the Nedbank Soweto Marathon, to be run on Sunday, 4 November. Supported by the City, the race is run under the auspices of Athletics South Africa (ASA), and is now in its 16th year.
The 42km marathon starts from and ends at Elkah Stadium in Moroka, Soweto; this year's theme is Championing change.
Endorsing the race on Wednesday, 24 October, Masondo said that it united people and built the nation. "Sports provides a uniquely effective medium for inculcating national pride and patriotism."
Linda Fernse general manager of Athletic South Africa, Executive Mayor, Amos Masondo and City Manager Mavela Dlamini at the media briefing
(Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)
The race would show people that Soweto had changed, and would dispel stereotypes and perceptions about the place. "We will provide a picture and image of a Soweto that is different from the stereotypes and myths that have been projected in the past."
Calling on participants to spend the night before the race in the township, Masondo noted that it would boost Soweto's tourism industry. He urged runners and others to visit places like the Hector Pieterson Memorial in Orlando, and Vilakazi Street, where Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela have homes.
Investment in Soweto
Some R485-million had been invested in
tarring 314 kilometres of road in Soweto – dirt roads are now a thing of the past in the area.
"We note with interest that participants in this year's Soweto Marathon will be able to run this showpiece on properly tarred roads," Masondo pointed out.
In addition, the City, supported by the private sector, was pouring millions of rands into Soweto. The Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication, the Kliptown housing project and the Jabulani and Maponya shopping malls, were some of the projects he spoke about.
Joburg would also use the pressure of the 2010 Fifa World Cup™ to build legacy projects that would benefit its residents long after the final whistle had blown. However, the government needed support from all communities to make the football spectacle a success.
"We know that the 2010 Fifa World Cup™ is not only about what the government should do, but is a matter that requires involvement of civil society and all our communities."
Linda Ferns, the general manager of ASA, said entries for the marathon closed on Wednesday, 24 October. "We are no longer taking entries on the morning of the race," she said, calling on participants to respect the deadline.
Traffic
To avoid being caught in traffic on the morning of the race, Ferns called on participants to look for accommodation in Soweto. "We are encouraging runners to [book into] B&Bs to save themselves the trouble of getting stuck in traffic."
There are four categories - the 42,2km race, which starts at 6am, is reserved for athletes of 20 years and older, as is the 20km walk, which starts at 7.30am; there is also a 10km wheelchair race, reserved for athletes of 15 and over; and a 5km fun run for participants of nine and older.
The total prize purse is R806 700. The male and female winners of the 42,2km race will each pocket R100 000; second and third placed in this race will pocket R80 000 and R60 000, respectively.
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