Nedbank Running Club concerned over possible Soweto Marathon cancellation

Speaking to SABC Sport, Bester revealed that the club had set aside a substantial budget to send its elite athletes — including three-time Comrades Marathon champion Tete Dijana, former winner Edward Mothibi, and defending Soweto Marathon champion Onalenna Khonkhobe — to compete in the 42.2km race.

“It’s worrying when there are constant rumours about the event being called off,” said Bester. 

“One of our runners pointed out that this tends to happen each year before the Soweto Marathon, and they’re right.

“But if the race is cancelled, it would be a real shame. Our top athletes, including Tete and the Comrades squad, are training specifically for this event. We need clarity and leadership.

Someone has to intervene and preserve this race — it’s a cornerstone of local athletics and means a great deal to both runners and the broader community.”

The current turmoil stems from a standoff between two rival groups — the Soweto Marathon Trust, which held a press briefing claiming ownership of the race, and a newly formed Non-Profit Organization (NPO), which insists it is the rightful organiser.

The Trust has threatened to cancel the marathon if they are not granted hosting rights, while the NPO has taken steps to go ahead with the race, even opening a new bank account to allow sponsor African Bank to fund the event after the original accounts were frozen.

The Trust has responded by vowing to take legal action if the race proceeds under the NPO’s leadership.

Bester, who won the 1991 Comrades Marathon, condemned the politics and administrative power struggle that now threaten the future of one of the country’s most historic road races.

“I wish people would set their egos aside — this race is about the athletes, not administrators,” he said.

“The Soweto Marathon is one of South Africa’s flagship races and must continue. These disputes are distracting and damaging. We’ve been preparing our athletes for this event, and they deserve better.”

Despite the uncertainty, Bester confirmed that Nedbank Running Club has a contingency plan in place.

“We are preparing for the Soweto Marathon, but if it doesn’t happen, we’ll seek out an alternative,” he added. 

“There’s a marathon in Gqeberha around the same time, so we’ll make a plan — but it would be a real pity if Soweto doesn’t go ahead."