Soweto Marathon

Soweto Marathon
Date	November
Location	Soweto, South Africa
Event type	Road
Distance	Marathon (42 km)
Primary sponsor	African Bank
Established	1991;34 years ago (1991)
Course records	Men: 2:16:28 (2012)    Shadrack Kipchirchir  Women: 2:33:43 (2018)    Irvette van Zyl
Official site	sowetomarathon.com

The African Bank Soweto Marathon is a 42 kilometres (26 mi) marathon and 32 kilometres (20 mi) long distance run held annually in Soweto, South Africa. Nicknamed The People's Race, its distances include a marathon, a 32K, 21K half marathon, and 10K run starting at Nasrec Expo Centre and finishing at FNB Stadium. ^[1]

Winners

Men Key:  Current course record Year Winner Time Country 2024 Onalenna Khonkhobe 2:18:36   South Africa [2] 2023 Ntsindiso Mphakathi 2:19:13   South Africa 2022 Daba Ifa Debele 2:18:58   Ethiopia — cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic 2019 Debeko Dakamo Dasa 2:18:35   Ethiopia 2018 Sintayehu Legese Yinesu (4) 2:19:10   Ethiopia 2017 Tsepo Mathibele 2:19:41   Lesotho 2016 Sintayehu Legese Yinesu (3) 2:20:44   Ethiopia 2015 Sintayehu Legese Yinesu (2) 2:23:20   Ethiopia 2014 Sintayehu Legese Yinesu 2:17:55   Ethiopia — cancelled in 2013 2012 Shadrack Kipchirchir 2:16:28   Kenya 2011 Michael Mazibuko 2:19:04   South Africa 2010 Lebenya Nkoko 2:19:44   Lesotho 2009 Tsidiso Bosiu 2:18:10   South Africa 2008 Moses Mosuhli 2:19:34   Lesotho 2007 Teboho Sello 2:18:51   Lesotho 2006 Mabuthile Lebopo (2) 2:19:10   Lesotho 2005 Simon Tsotang 2:20:15   Lesotho 2004 Mabuthile Lebopo 2:18:05   Lesotho 2003 Elijah Mutandiro (2) 2:17:19   Zimbabwe 2002 Elijah Mutandiro 2:19:43   Zimbabwe 2001 Mluleki Nobanda 2:19:17   South Africa 2000 Honest Mutsakani 2:18:28   Zimbabwe 1999 Joshua Peterson (2) 2:18:18   South Africa 1998 Joshua Peterson 2:19:17   South Africa 1997 Abel Mokibe (2) 2:18:42   South Africa 1996 Abel Mokibe 2:19:58   South Africa 1995 Zithulele Sinqe 2:18:03   South Africa 1994 Jan Tau 2:19:12   South Africa 1993 Matthews Temane 2:22:01 South Africa — not held 1991 Jerry Modiga - South Africa

Women Key:  Current course record Year Winner Time Country 2024 Neheng Khatala 2:43:07   Lesotho 2023 Irvette van Zyl (4) 2:34:16   South Africa [3] 2022 Chaltu Bedo 2:40:56   Ethiopia — cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic 2019 Irvette van Zyl (3) 2:34:01   South Africa 2018 Irvette van Zyl (2) 2:33:43   South Africa 2017 Irvette van Zyl 2:4106   South Africa 2016 Selam Abere 2:42:32   Ethiopia 2015 Harriet Chebore 2:49:52   Kenya 2014 Meseret Mengistu 2:36:02   Ethiopia — cancelled in 2013 2012 Mamorallo Tjoka (7) 2:45:20   Lesotho 2011 Mamorallo Tjoka (6) 2:43:40   Lesotho 2010 Mamorallo Tjoka (5) 2:48:36   Lesotho 2009 Rene Kalmer 2:44:06   South Africa 2008 Mamorallo Tjoka (4) 2:53:48   Lesotho 2007 Mamorallo Tjoka (3) 2:47:57   Lesotho 2006 Mamorallo Tjoka (2) 2:47:00   Lesotho 2005 Mamorallo Tjoka 2:49:45   Lesotho 2004 Charne Rademeyer (2) 2:48:32   South Africa 2003 Charne Rademeyer 2:44:53   South Africa 2002 Farwah Mentoor 2:50:33   South Africa 2001 Gwen van Lingen 2:45:37   South Africa 2000 Sarah Mahlangu (4) 2:56:47   South Africa 1999 Sarah Mahlangu (3) 2:49:49   South Africa 1998 Angelina Sephooa 2:49:55   Lesotho 1997 Sarah Mahlangu (2) 2:45:48   South Africa 1996 Sarah Mahlangu 2:56:53   South Africa 1995 Jowaine Parrott 2:50:17   South Africa 1994 Helen Joubert (2) 2:53:14   South Africa 1993 Helen Joubert 2:57:28 South Africa

Sponsorship

The marathon is sponsored by African Bank. ^[4]

References

1. Nkonki, Anita. "Record participation at the 2024 African Bank Soweto Marathon". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
2. https://joburg.org.za/media_/Newsroom/Pages/2024%20News%20Article/November/Onalenna-Khonkhobe-wins-2024-Soweto-Marathon-on-debut.aspx
3. https://gsport.co.za/no-race-like-it-says-4-time-soweto-marathon-champ-irvette-van-zyl/
4. Content, Print (2023-07-18). "The Soweto Marathon welcomes new sponsor". Soweto Urban. Retrieved 2025-04-07.