THE inaugural Maponya Half-Marathon scheduled for Soweto on Sunday is generating massive interest in the Greater Johannesburg and surrounding areas.
"We are finalising the logistics, but the local organising committee is battling with floods of entries," said Tshisima Sports boss Junior Ramovha.
Tshisima Sports is organising the three-in-one event with athletics clubs Malcolm X from Ekurhuleni and Makoya from Jozi in a move to revive road running in Soweto.
Besides the 21,1km half-marathon, which is expected to attract more than 1000 runners, there will also be a 10km road race and a 5km fun run.
"In the past, we used to have road races taking place in various Soweto townships almost every weekend where the attendance was awesome," Ramovha said.
"We are disappointed that road running is gradually dying in Soweto. We are doing our best to help the development of the sport.
"Soweto is a big township known throughout the world. Our argument is that it deserves more established road races if we are to succeed in the development of the sport.
"Out of 100 foreigners who visit South Africa in a week, 80 of them won't go back to their respective homes without coming to Soweto.
"We need to work together as Soweto residents to raise the bar in terms of athletics development," said Ramovha, who is also involved in boxing promotion.
The winner of the half- marathon will receive R21000, with those crossing the finish line first in the 10km and 5km events getting R10000 and R5000 respectively.
Some of the top runners set to take part in the race include the popular Phalula twins Lebo and Lebohang, Tshamano Setone, Poppy Mlambo and Stephen Mokoka. Ramovha said the half-marathon will be launched today.
Runners fancy Maponya race
THE inaugural Maponya Half-Marathon scheduled for Soweto on Sunday is generating massive interest in the Greater Johannesburg and surrounding areas.
"We are finalising the logistics, but the local organising committee is battling with floods of entries," said Tshisima Sports boss Junior Ramovha.
Tshisima Sports is organising the three-in-one event with athletics clubs Malcolm X from Ekurhuleni and Makoya from Jozi in a move to revive road running in Soweto.
Besides the 21,1km half-marathon, which is expected to attract more than 1000 runners, there will also be a 10km road race and a 5km fun run.
"In the past, we used to have road races taking place in various Soweto townships almost every weekend where the attendance was awesome," Ramovha said.
"We are disappointed that road running is gradually dying in Soweto. We are doing our best to help the development of the sport.
"Soweto is a big township known throughout the world. Our argument is that it deserves more established road races if we are to succeed in the development of the sport.
"Out of 100 foreigners who visit South Africa in a week, 80 of them won't go back to their respective homes without coming to Soweto.
"We need to work together as Soweto residents to raise the bar in terms of athletics development," said Ramovha, who is also involved in boxing promotion.
The winner of the half- marathon will receive R21000, with those crossing the finish line first in the 10km and 5km events getting R10000 and R5000 respectively.
Some of the top runners set to take part in the race include the popular Phalula twins Lebo and Lebohang, Tshamano Setone, Poppy Mlambo and Stephen Mokoka. Ramovha said the half-marathon will be launched today.
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