Soweto Marathon

Location: Soweto

Country:  South Africa
Website:  https://sowetomarathon.com/
2025 Marathon Date:  29/11/2025
2026 Marathon Date:  TBC
Winning Time 2025: 2:20:09

% Sub-3s:  2-5%
# Sub-3s:  50-99
Total Runners: 1-3k

The Soweto Marathon, known across South Africa as “The People’s Race,” offers one of the most culturally significant and historically resonant marathon experiences in the world. First held in 1994, the year of South Africa’s democratic transition, the race was conceived as a celebration of freedom, resilience and unity. After early editions in 1994 and 1996, the event later re-established itself and has grown into a major annual fixture, attracting thousands of runners from across the country and beyond. Its defining feature is a route that runs through the heart of Soweto, a township central to the struggle against apartheid, making the marathon both a physical test and an act of remembrance.

The event begins at the Nasrec Expo Centre and finishes inside the imposing FNB Stadium, providing a grand stage for runners as they conclude the 42.195 km challenge. The course is defined by undulating terrain, with a succession of climbs and descents — particularly in the second half — that make the marathon a demanding effort even for seasoned athletes. The total elevation gain is roughly 300 metres, and the predominantly paved surface, exposure to the sun and limited shade add to the difficulty. Yet these challenges are balanced by the richness of the environment and the powerful sense of purpose embedded in the route.

The course passes a series of historic landmarks that shaped South Africa’s path to democracy. Runners move past Walter Sisulu Square, where the Freedom Charter was adopted; Regina Mundi Church, a refuge during the anti-apartheid struggle; Morris Isaacson High School and the June 16 Memorial Acre, central to the 1976 student uprisings; and the Hector Pieterson Memorial, honouring one of the defining tragedies of that day. A highlight is Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world where two Nobel Peace Prize laureates — Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu — once lived. Other significant sites include Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Credo Mutwa Cultural Village and Orlando Stadium.

The Soweto Marathon is more than a race. It is a tribute to collective memory, a showcase of Soweto’s enduring pride, and a unifying event that reflects the township’s heritage, spirit and identity. With its challenging profile and profound historical layers, it offers an experience unlike any other marathon in South Africa.