The African Bank Soweto Marathon is a 42 kilometres (26 mi) marathon long-distance run held annually in Soweto, South Africa. Nicknamed The People's Race, its distances include a marathon, 21K half marathon, and 10K run starting at Nasrec Expo Centre and finishing at FNB Stadium.
Winners
Men Key: Year Winner Time Country 2025 Khoarahlane Seutloali 2:20:10 2024 Onalenna Khonkhobe 2:18:36 https://joburg.org.za/media_/Newsroom/Pages/2024%20News%20Article/November/Onalenna-Khonkhobe-wins-2024-Soweto-Marathon-on-debut.aspx 2023 Ntsindiso Mphakathi 2:19:13 2022 Daba Ifa Debele 2:18:58 cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic2019 Debeko Dakamo Dasa 2:18:35 2018 Sintayehu Legese Yinesu (4) 2:19:10 2017 Tsepo Mathibele 2:19:41 2016 Sintayehu Legese Yinesu (3) 2:20:44 2015 Sintayehu Legese Yinesu (2) 2:23:20 2014 Sintayehu Legese Yinesu 2:17:55 cancelled in 20132012 Shadrack Kipchirchir 2:16:28 2011 Michael Mazibuko 2:19:04 2010 Lebenya Nkoko 2:19:44 2009 Tsidiso Bosiu 2:18:10 2008 Moses Mosuhli 2:19:34 2007 Teboho Sello 2:18:51 2006 Mabuthile Lebopo (2) 2:19:10 2005 Simon Tsotang 2:20:15 2004 Mabuthile Lebopo 2:18:05 2003 Elijah Mutandiro (2) 2:17:19 2002 Elijah Mutandiro 2:19:43 2001 Mluleki Nobanda 2:19:17 2000 Honest Mutsakani 2:18:28 1999 Joshua Peterson (2) 2:18:18 1998 Joshua Peterson 2:19:17 1997 Abel Mokibe (2) 2:18:42 1996 Abel Mokibe 2:19:58 1995 Zithulele Sinqe 2:18:03 1994 Jan Tau 2:19:12 1993 Matthews Temane 2:22:01 not held1991 Jerry Modiga -
Women Key:
Year Winner Time Country 2025 Margaret Jepchumba 2:34:33 2024 Neheng Khatala 2:43:07 2023 Irvette van Zyl (4) 2:34:16 https://gsport.co.za/no-race-like-it-says-4-time-soweto-marathon-champ-irvette-van-zyl/ 2022 Chaltu Bedo 2:40:56 cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic2019 Irvette van Zyl (3) 2:34:01 2018 Irvette van Zyl (2) 2:33:43 2017 Irvette van Zyl 2:4106 2016 Selam Abere 2:42:32 2015 Harriet Chebore 2:49:52 2014 Meseret Mengistu 2:36:02 cancelled in 20132012 Mamorallo Tjoka (7) 2:45:20 2011 Mamorallo Tjoka (6) 2:43:40 2010 Mamorallo Tjoka (5) 2:48:36 2009 Rene Kalmer 2:44:06 2008 Mamorallo Tjoka (4) 2:53:48 2007 Mamorallo Tjoka (3) 2:47:57 2006 Mamorallo Tjoka (2) 2:47:00 2005 Mamorallo Tjoka 2:49:45 2004 Charne Rademeyer (2) 2:48:32 2003 Charne Rademeyer 2:44:53 2002 Farwah Mentoor 2:50:33 2001 Gwen van Lingen 2:45:37 2000 Sarah Mahlangu (4) 2:56:47 1999 Sarah Mahlangu (3) 2:49:49 1998 Angelina Sephooa 2:49:55 1997 Sarah Mahlangu (2) 2:45:48 1996 Sarah Mahlangu 2:56:53 1995 Jowaine Parrott 2:50:17 1994 Helen Joubert (2) 2:53:14 1993 Helen Joubert 2:57:28
Sponsorship The marathon is sponsored by African Bank.
Financial mismanagement As of May 2026, athletes had not received any prize money for the November 2025 marathon. Sports minister Gayton McKenzie stated that the department would be opening a criminal case against the organisers.
References