Soweto Marathon 2024

Nedbank Running Club Soweto will host all Nedbank Running Club Athletes at the Soweto Marathon on Sunday 3 November 2024 at their Nedbank Running Club Hospitality Gazebos.

Come and join us afterwards for a well deserved water, as well as a refreshing drink.
There will be to replenish your energy stores, and more refreshments

Look out for the Nedbank Running Club hospitality area and Nedbank Running Club and partners branding.

Your "entry Fee" to the Hospitality area will be your Official Nedbank Running Club Kit and Soweto Marathon race number (no black shorts or other colours)

Hope to see you all there.

Nedbank running club looking to dominate Soweto Marathon

The first weekend of November each year symbolizes the gathering of over 25 000 runners around Nasrec for what is the annual pilgrimage of the Soweto Marathon, known as the peoples race. Run over a tough course at altitude, the event also attracts a very strong elite field and the Nedbank running club has assembled one of their strongest teams to date for the event.

Leading the charge in the colours of Nedbank running club will be Ethiopia’s Daba Ifa Debele, winner of the 2022 Soweto Marathon who narrowly missed out on defending his title last year when he lost his lead over the final 2km to finish 40 seconds behind the winner in 2nd. Alongside him, fellow countryman Gadisa Bekele Gutama will also be eyeing out the top step of the podium. In 2022, it was Gutama who made an early break, only to be passed right outside the stadium to finish 2nd behind Debele. The Ethiopian duo know the course well and are looking for a top performance.

“All of our athletes who have been training in Addis Ababa for Soweto are looking very good for the race,” said Belay Hagos, manager and coach to a host of Nedbank running club Ethiopian athletes.

Skipping the Cape Town Marathon this year where previously they recorded marathon pb’s of 2:13 at, former Comrades winners Edward Mothibi and Tete Dijana are looking to keep the title of Soweto Marathon champion on South African soil. Both have been training in camp and are looking forward to race day, with Dijana taking his first serious shot at the Soweto Marathon and Mothibi a multiple former top 10 finisher.

Nedbank running club Zimbabwe’s Isaac Mpofu may just be the dangerman that quietly sneaks in for an upset. The Zimbabwe national record holder in the marathon with a 2:06:48 best is a formidable international athlete who finished 6th at this years Boston Marathon and 19th at the Paris Olympic Games Marathon.

This years Two Oceans Marathon winner Onalenna Khonkobe also makes the trip to Soweto in search of capping off a very successful 2024. Lesotho 10km national record holder Namakoe Nkhasi is starting to move up to the marathon distance with a more concentrated effort and can also easily spring a surprise.

In the women’s race, all eyes will be on Nedbank running club’s Tadu Nare. With a 2:17 marathon personal best which ranks her as one of the fastest female marathon runners in history, Nare will be very tough to beat, coming off her recent R1 million win at the Mpumalanga Marathon in what was essentially a long run for her. She will be joined by fellow countrywomen Worke Degu Amena and Belainesh Yami Gurmu. Leading the South African charge will be the training duo of Slindile Chili and Galaletsang Mekgoe.

“We have assembled one of our strongest ever Nedbank running club green dream teams for the Soweto Marathon this year,” said Nick Bester, National team manager of the Nedbank running club. “Besides having the fastest ranked male and female athletes in the field on paper by a long way, we also have a very strong team that also consists of former winners and countless podium finishers.”

The Soweto Marathon takes place on Sunday, 3 November 2024 at Nasrec show grounds and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Celebrating the Spirit of Comrades at the Annual Awards Gala

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) proudly hosted the annual Spirit of Comrades Awards Gala, in partnership with the Government Employee Medical Scheme (GEMS) on Friday, 18 October 2024. This prestigious event, held in Durban, celebrated the exceptional qualities of selflessness, dedication, perseverance, and Ubuntu that define the spirit of the world’s biggest, oldest and most famous ultramarathon, the Comrades Marathon.

The GEMS Spirit of Comrades Awards Gala, a tradition since 1996, honours three remarkable individuals each year. These individuals are recognised not only for their achievements in the race but also for the embodiment of their noble values associated with The Ultimate Human Race.

Reflecting on the values of selflessness, dedication, courage, perseverance, and Ubuntu, the spirit of humanity, the awards honour those who inspire others and contribute to their communities. Dr Vuyo Gqola, Chief Operations Officer at GEMS, expressed the Scheme’s commitment, saying, "GEMS is proud to partner with the Comrades Marathon Association in celebrating the Spirit of Comrades. This partnership aligns with our mission to promote health and wellness; and embodies our commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can pursue their dreams."

The three GEMS Spirit of Comrades recipients were awarded a one-ounce, 24 carat pure gold medallion. More than that, the award is a very notable recognition of someone who embodies the Comrades spirit and inspires others to be selfless and showcase the inherent values of goodness in humanity.

The selection process for these awards is rigorous, with scores of nominations received from Comrades Marathon participants, supporters and the general public. The CMA’s Heritage & Traditions Committee carefully adjudicated these nominations, emphasizing acts of service, sacrifice, courage, and perseverance. The final recommendations were then approved by the CMA Board.

Honouring the 2024 GEMS Spirit of Comrades recipients: Click here for list of recipients

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