OPINION: Greed, selfishness and corruption has caused the collapse of the Soweto Marathon

The Soweto Marathon, once a popular road running event, may be poised for its final chapter due to a combination of greed, selfishness, and corruption within its governing bodies. Allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement have plagued the Soweto Marathon Trust, which has been the race's driving force for most of its existence.

In a bid to rectify the situation, a newly established non-profit company, the Soweto Marathon NPC, was formed to take over event organization last year. However, the new organizers have struggled to gain traction, with elite athletes still owed outstanding prize money nearly a year after the 2025 event. Central Gauteng Athletics, a key stakeholder in the race, has refused to recognize either the Trust or the NPC as legitimate organizers, citing unresolved financial faults and ongoing conflict as the primary obstacles.

The cancellation of the annual 42km race, traditionally held in November, is a direct consequence of these contentious issues. Furthermore, the prospects of attracting corporate sponsors to support the event are dim, given the tarnished reputation of the marathon. Founded with the noble intention of sharing proceeds among Soweto clubs to promote athletics development, the Soweto Marathon has now become a cautionary tale of how greed, selfishness, and incompetence can lead to the demise of a beloved sporting event.