Keabetsoe Matshediso
PARTICIPANTS have until tomorrow to send in entries for this year’s Soweto Marathon, to be held on November 6.
Alternatively, entries will be taken at the Virgin Active gym at Maponya Mall on Saturday and Sunday between 9am and 5pm.
According to Simanga Morgan Matholeni, race director at Athletics South Africa (ASA), the organisers, this year’s marathon will have a twist to it – schools in and around Soweto will be given a chance to challenge one another.
And they will take back to their schools thousands of rand in cash prizes.
According ASA, the difference when it comes to the prize money is that it won’t be about the number, position at the finish line or athletes entering the race, but rather the athletes finishing the race that will make a school eligible to win.
The school with the most runners at the end of the marathon will receive R5 000, while the runners-up will receive R3 000 and R2 000.
“The idea behind schools participating in the marathon is mainly to introduce scholars, particularly primary scholars, into athletics and a healthy lifestyle.
“We also want them to do it as a team and not individually, so it is not just to grow them mentally but socially as well,” said Matholeni.
Races on the day include the 42.2km marathon, a 10km run and walk, a 10km professional walk and a 10km wheelchair race.
The entry fee for the marathon is R110, and R70 for all 10km races. Runners without licences will have to obtain them at a cost of R30 for the marathon and R15 for the 10km races.
The 5km fun run is open to the public at R10 per entry, and runners can register on the day.
The grand prize for the marathon for both men and women is R100 000, the runner-up will receive R50 000, while the third finisher will receive R25 000.
The marathon starts and ends at the Elkah Stadium in Rockville.
Runners will pass the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown, Chris Hani-Baragwanath Academic Hospital, the Hector Pieterson Memorial, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s house and the Jabulani Mall.
“We are just hoping to receive a good field of about 17 000 entries in all the events and great fun for everyone,” said Matholeni.
For more information you can call 011 880 5800.