THOUGH it faces massive financial challenges itself, Athletics South Africa (ASA) has pledged to rescue the Soweto Marathon.

The new organiser, the Soweto Marathon Trust, is struggling to secure funding and the event has been without sponsorship since the departure of Nedbank in 2009.

The trust, which includes former ASA chief executive officer Banele Sindani and Central Gauteng Athletics president James Moloi, needs R5-million for the marathon.

ASA president James Evans said they would not allow the iconic marathon not to go ahead.

"We reached an agreement with the Soweto Marathon Trust that they will organise it on condition that it benefits the people of Soweto. Proceeds must go to Soweto athletics clubs," he said.

"(We at) ASA will do everything in our power to save it, even if it means scaling it down to avoid a repeat of last year where we organised it at a R600000 loss.''

Sindani could not be reached for comment, but trust chairman Sello Khunou blamed the failure to secure funding for the marathon on the strife in athletics.

"The climate. in South African athletics is toxic and it renders the whole athletics environment hostile to potential sponsors,'' Khunou said.

But Evans rejected claims that the Soweto Marathon was affected by the problems in athletics.

"There is no such thing. We have many marathons in the country which are sponsored by various companies.

"The Soweto Marathon is a big brand and should not struggle to get sponsorship, because of its history in the development of athletics."