Latest news with #SowetoMarathonTrust
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: Have no fear runners, Soweto and Two Oceans races will go ahead
Claims that two of SA's biggest road races will be cancelled amount to little more than fear mongering. If you're a road runner planning to participate in the next editions of the Soweto Marathon or the Two Oceans ultra-marathon, you might be concerned that these events will be cancelled. You have nothing to worry about. The reports and social media posts suggesting they might be scratched are based on fear mongering by disgruntled individuals. In the case of Two Oceans, the situation is simple. This year, the organisers allowed too many runners to participate, which landed them in hot water with the City of Cape Town for defying safety restrictions. And while the municipality did state it would withdraw its support of the race, there was never a claim by the city that it would be cancelled. There is almost zero chance of this happening. The Two Oceans ultra-marathon brings more than R1.5 billion into the city, and if the race is scratched, the people who stand to be hurt the most are the people of Cape Town. What the city has done is told the race organisers it wants a turnaround strategy implemented, and it makes sense that the municipality would want assurances that this year's blunder doesn't happen again. Working together with the organisers to fix issues around the race is an obvious way to move forward without affecting runners or the people of Cape Town. Nobody stands to benefit if the race is cancelled, and it would be a senseless decision which will only occur if the organisers don't apply the assurances and changes the city is requesting. Soweto Marathon will also go ahead In the case of the Soweto Marathon, things are far more complicated, but claims that the race will be cancelled are nefarious. Due to alleged misappropriation of funds and the suspension of some trustees by Athletics South Africa around a broadcast rights controversy, the Soweto Marathon Trust (SMT) was temporarily frozen. Instead, the race is now being organised by a non-profit company (formed by the same Soweto clubs which are beneficiaries of the SMT) as a vehicle to ensure the race will go ahead. This is a temporary measure while issues around the SMT are being resolved, and though the organisers have had to work hard to ensure their partners are not chased away by the poor publicity created by claims that the race could be cancelled, they are ploughing ahead. The race is going to be pushed back a few weeks from its usual date in early November due to a clash with the G20 Summit to be held in Johannesburg, but there is no reason to believe it will be called off. If you're hoping to run the Soweto Marathon later this year, or the Two Oceans ultra-marathon next year, your entry fee will not be wasted and your efforts in preparation will not be futile. Unless there are major changes behind the scenes which derail processes, both these races will go ahead as planned.
The Herald
07-08-2025
- Business
- The Herald
Soweto Marathon shifts to late November under new organisation
The 30th edition of the Soweto Marathon is shifting to late November, a spokesperson for the event said on Thursday, contradicting claims by Soweto Marathon Trust (SMT) representatives that the country's biggest one-day road race had been cancelled. Jabu Mbuli said nine of 11 Soweto running clubs had agreed to administer the race through an NPO. This came after allegations against the previous two bodies that staged the race — the SMT and then a private company that stepped in to organise the past two races in 2023 and 2024. 'We believe this [NPO] option will assist in ensuring good and proper governance and sound financial accountability,' Mbuli said. 'The appointed non-executive board of directors will comprise largely of qualified professionals and will include chartered accountants and attorneys. The athletics clubs of Soweto own this race and they will focus on the race organising committee to run this race by the people, for the people.' SMT representatives recently claimed there would be no race this year, but Mbuli said the 2025 race would be launched this month and would take place at the end of November.
TimesLIVE
07-08-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Soweto Marathon shifts to late November under new organisation
The 30th edition of the Soweto Marathon is shifting to late November, a spokesperson for event said on Thursday, contradicting claims by Soweto Marathon Trust (SMT) representatives that the country's biggest one-day road race had been cancelled. Jabu Mbuli said nine out of 11 Soweto running clubs had agreed to administer the race through a nonprofit company. This move came after allegations against the previous two bodies that staged the race — the SMT and then a private company that stepped in to organise the past two races in 2023 and 2024. 'We believe that this [nonprofit company] option will assist in ensuring good and proper governance and sound financial accountability,' Mbuli said in the statement. 'The appointed non-executive board of directors will comprise largely of qualified professionals, who will include in the number chartered accountants and attorneys. The Athletics Clubs of Soweto own this race and they will focus on the race organising committee to run this race by the people, for the people.' SMT representatives recently claimed there would be no race this year, but Mbuli said the 2025 race would be launched this month and would take place at the end of November.
