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Soweto Marathon: all you need to know

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Event details Date: 5 November 2017
Venue (start and finish): Stadium Avenue, FNB Stadium, Nasrec, JHB
Start times: The standard marathon (42.2km): 06h00; the half marathon (21.1km): 06.30; 10km run: 07h00.

Landmarks

The route honours Soweto’s rich history and runners pass eight significant heritage sites on the marathon route namely the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Walter Sisulu Square, The Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Credo Mutwa Cultural Village, Morris Isaacson High School & June 16 Memorial Acre, Vilakazi Street and The Hector Pieterson Memorial. 

The organisers and sponsors of the race, Soweto Marathon Trust and Old Mutual respectively, once again promise runners and all participants a fantastic, fun-filled experience.

Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, the third largest hospital in the world with 3 400 beds and 6 760 staff members.

Walter Sisulu Square, the birthplace in 1955 of The Freedom Charter, which outlined the vision of a non-racial South Africa based on liberty and civil rights.

The Regina Mundi Catholic Church, which became famous for its role in the anti-apartheid struggle and where Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu presided over the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings.

* Credo Mutwa Cultural Village, a museum-cum-outdoor exhibition of astounding sculptures and buildings created by African artist and traditional healer Credo Mutwa.

Morris Isaacson High School, where learners played a central role in the Soweto Uprising of 1976.

* June 16 Memorial Acre, the memorial has been designed to form the start of the so-called “June 16 Trail”, which includes other key sites of that most tumultuous time, such as Vilakazi Street and the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum.

Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world to have had two Nobel Prize winners as residents. They were former South African President Nelson Mandela and Tutu.

The Hector Pieterson Memorial, named in honour of the 13-year-old who was one of the first fatal victims of police action during the Soweto Uprising.

Read more: 5 ways to stay hydrated during a long run

Waterpoints for the marathon

Waterpoints will be stations approximately every 3km namely:

Point 1 – Ben Naude Street, Point 2 – Chris Hani Road, Point 3 – Modjaji Street, Point 4 – Klipspruit Valley Road, Point 5 – Klipspruit Valley Road, Point 6 – Koma Street, Point 7 – Bolani Street (by Soweto Theatre), Point 8 – Mzilikatse Street (Mofolo Park), Point 9 – Vilakazi Street, Point 10 – Orlando Stadium, Point 11- New Canada Road, Point 12 – News Canada Road, Point 13 – New Canada Road, Point 14 – Main Reed Road, Point 15 – Colorado Street, Point 16 – Nasrec Road, and Point 17 – Finish at FNB Stadium.

Read more: 6 common race-day fuelling mistakes

What to bring on race day

1. Race numbers

Race numbers must be worn throughout the race on the front of your upper garment/vest and the 2017 provincial license number must be worn on the front and back of your upper body garment or issued temporary licence number must be worn on the back of your upper body garment.

Registered athlete(s) must be a member of a club affiliated with ASA and must wear their club colours along with their 2017 license number, which are to be worn on the back and front together with the issued race number.

The official race number must not cover the ASA sponsor on the provincial licence.

2. Timing device

Please remember to wear your ChampionChip timing device on Race Day, which must be attached to your running shoe. Timing mats will be placed at various points on route. Timing is mat to mat.

Expo

The Old Mutual Soweto Marathon expo is set to take place at the FNB Stadium basement on 2 and 3 November from 10:00 to19:00, and 4 November from 08:30 to 16:00.

Various exhibitors will be at the expo, so runners will collect their race packs, complimentary race T-shirts and are invited to visit all the stores on offer.

Read more: 7 tips for fuelling your first marathon

Maps of the routes

10km

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21.1km

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Marathon (42.2km)

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This article was originally published on www.runnersworld.co.za 

Image credits: iStock and supplied 

 

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