Edward Mothibi rules out Soweto Marathon amid hosting row

By Charles Baloyi
9th October 2025

Former Comrades Marathon champion Edward Mothibi has confirmed that he will not be participating in this year’s Soweto Marathon due to the ongoing dispute over the race’s organisation.

The 41-year-old athlete, who finished fourth at the 2025 Comrades in 5:31:41, told SABC Sport that the uncertainty surrounding the event has forced him to look for an alternative marathon before the end of the year.

The Soweto Marathon Trust (SMT) and the Non-Profit Company (NPC) are currently embroiled in a bitter battle over the right to host the “People’s Race.”

While the NPC has announced that the event will go ahead on 29 November at Nasrec, the SMT has threatened to disrupt proceedings by forming a “human shield” on the streets of Soweto.

The ongoing conflict has left elite athletes like Mothibi frustrated and unwilling to commit to a race clouded by administrative chaos.

“With everything that’s happening around Soweto, I’m no longer sure about that race,” said Mothibi.

“My coach and I had to choose between Soweto and another marathon in Kimberley, but with all these fights, I prefer going where there’s certainty.

“Hopefully, I’ll find a marathon in late November or December.”

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Despite reassurances from Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) and the NPC that the race will proceed, Mothibi says the situation remains confusing for athletes.

“Soweto is not the race I want to go for anymore. If the Kimberley marathon happens, I’ll do that instead because I can plan properly around it,” he added.

Mothibi, who recently took part in the Absa Run Your City and Hollywoodbets Joburg 10km races, says his focus will soon shift to preparing for next year’s Comrades Marathon up run.

“I’ll start building up from December. I’m well-rested and working on regaining my speed. It won’t be difficult to transition into marathon training since I’ve been doing longer runs in between.”