Race Rules

These rules and regulations set out what entrants need to do to enter the Soweto Marathon. They also provide information regarding restrictions on entrants when participating in the race, what the prizes are and how they can be won. It is very important for you to understand these rules.

  • 1 DEFINITIONS

    1.1 Entrant means any person who successfully enters the Soweto Marathon.
    1.2 Soweto Marathon means the 42.2km, 21.1km and 10km race brought to you by the Soweto Marathon Trust in association with Old Mutual and held in Soweto, Johannesburg on 3 November 2019, and any and all related events or functions, regardless of whether they are held before, during or after the race itself.
    1.3 Organisers mean, the Soweto Marathon Trust and any of its Appointed Officials, Employees or Agencies.

  • 2 ENTRY TO SOWETO MARATHON AND PRIZE MONEY

    2.1 All Entrants must submit fully and correctly completed entry forms and proof of payment at www.sowetomarathon.com or any of the designated registration sites. Incomplete entry forms will result in the entrant’s race registration being unsuccessful.
    2.2 The Organisers will not be responsible for any disputes, loss or damage arising from incomplete entry details. This means that the entrant cannot hold the Organisers responsible for any disputes, loss or damage as a result of mistakes by entrants in completing an entry form.
    2.3 For safety and capacity-constraint reasons we are limiting the events to 40 000 participants. Therefore entrance to the Soweto Marathon will be closed once all of the slots have been allocated (15 000 participants for the 42.2km, 15 000 participants for the 21.1km run and 10 000 participants for the 10km run). The slots will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis. Closing date for registrations is Midnight 31st July 2019 or once each distance has reached its capacity (whichever comes first).
    2.4 The Soweto Marathon 2019 will not allow anyone under the age of 20 years to compete in the full marathon. No one under the age of 16 years is allowed to compete in the half marathon and no one under the age of 15 years is allowed to compete in the 10km run. This is in line with international athletics standards. Entrants within the ages of 15 and 18 years will be required to provide an Indemnity signed by their Parents or Legal Guardian. Please print the Indemnity Form (Click here to download the form) and bring to race pack collection.
    2.5 The Organisers reserve the right to limit or refuse entries and are not obliged to give reasons for doing so. The Organisers do, however, warrant that no limitation or refusal of entries will constitute discriminatory marketing as contemplated in the Consumer Protection Act, 2008.
    2.6 Entrants are able to enter into the following categories, with the following prizes:
    10 km Men & Women# OPEN JUNIORS 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+1st R5000 R1000 R1000 R1000 R1000 R10002nd R3000 R750 R750 R750 R750 R7503rd R2000 R500 R500 R500 R500 R5004th R1500 R300 5th R100 R200  21.1 km Men & Women# OPEN 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+1ST R10000 R1500 R1000 R1000 R10002ND R5000 R1000 R750 R750 R7503RD R3000 R750 R500 R500 R5004TH R1500 5TH R1000  42.2 km Men & Women# OPEN 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+1st R250000 R5000 R4000 R3000 R20002nd R120000 R3000 R2000 R1,000 R750 3RD R90000 R1000 R750 R500 R4004TH R45000 5TH R35000 6TH R25000 7TH R15000 8TH R10000 9TH R5000 10TH R3000 

  • 3 ENTRY FEES

    3.1 The entry fee for the:
    42.2km = R300 (Student/Grand Masters discounted fee R250)21.1km = R220 (Student/Grand Masters discounted fee R180)10km = R180 (Student/Grand Masters discounted fee R150)
    Per entrant and is inclusive of VAT
    3.2 Temporary Licenses can be purchased for the 10km, 21.1km & 42.2km events for those who do not have a Registered License Number.
    Pricing is as follows:
    10km - R30.0021.1km - R35.0042.2km - R100.00
    3.3 If an entrant fails to produce a Student Card (or should they still be in school, a letter from school or ID Document) when entering online or at the designated running shops, the entrant will be asked to settle the difference and pay the full race fee amount for their distance, at the collection venue before the entrant will be given a race pack.
    3.4 Payment of the entry fee can be made in the following ways:
    Online through the secure electronic payment system on the registration platform using your MasterCard, Visa credit card, approved Debit Cards or via EFT;
    By CASH ONLY at the following running stores/sites:
    The Sweat Shop, Dunkeld West Shopping CentreThe Sweat Shop, Fourways CrossingThe Sweat Shop, Bedford Arcade, BedfordviewThe Sweat Shop, Southdowns Shopping Centre, PretoriaRun A Way Store, Freesia Street, Lynwood Ridge, Pretoria (NOT TAKING ENTRIES)Central Gauteng Athletics, Germiston, EkurhuleniSTS Sport, Shop 6, Moses Mabhida StadiumOrlando Community Centre, Soweto
    Manual entries will only be processed in the running stores and community centre listed above
    3.5 Once the entry form has been duly processed, within reason, there will be no refund of entry fees to an entrant who, for whatever reason, cannot participate.
    3.6 Payments – please note that it is the entrants responsibility to ensure that they enter the correct event when entering online or at a store. Entries incorrectly entered will not be amended and NO REFUNDS will be processed. Duplicate payment for the same entry will also NOT BE REFUNDED. Please take special note of the category options available and the age restrictions which apply. Any payments made directly into the Soweto Marathon Trust Account without an entry or after the official closing date, either the 31st of July 2019 or when limits have been reached, will also NOT be refunded.
    3.7 Substitutions will be allowed during the period 1st September to 30th September 2019 only. Substitutions can only be done within a distance, not across a distance.
    3.8 Upgrades / Downgrades between distances will only be allowed during the period of 1st September to 30th September 2019. NO DOWNGRADES are allowed on the standard marathon (42.2km)
    3.9 The substitution, upgrade / downgrade process will be posted closer to the time and all applicable cost will be confirmed.

  • 4 PRIVACY POLICY

    4.1 By continuing to use this website, you agree to the terms and conditions of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not continue to use the website.
    4.2 Incomplete entry forms will result in the entrant’s race registration being unsuccessful.
    4.3 The Soweto Marathon Trust wish to balance its legitimate business interests when collecting and using your personal information and your reasonable expectation of privacy. In this respect, the Soweto Marathon Trust will take reasonable technical and organisational measures to prevent loss of, damage to, or unauthorised destruction of personal information and unlawful access to or processing of personal information.
    4.4 You agree that the Soweto Marathon Trust may collect, collate, process and/or store your personal information provided by you during the registration process and possibly other relevant times for purposes of verifying your identity, providing you with access to the website and conducting research. The Soweto Marathon Trust will not disclose your personal Information without your consent. Should the entrant “Opt In” during the registration process for future communications, the Soweto Marathon Trust will communicate future runs and/or promotions to the Entrant from time to time. Should the Entrant “Opt Out”, all data pertaining to the Entrant will be responsibly destroyed after 30 days of race day.

  • 5 RACE DAY CONDUCT

    5.1 All entrants must bring proof of identification, which can either be a valid Driver’s License, ID or Passport and confirmation of entry to collect their race pack. If entrants are not available to collect their race packs, they must use the attached Letter of Authorisation (Click here to download the form) to allow someone to collect the race packs on their behalf. Please note that race packs can only be collected during the prescribed times, no late collections will be accommodated.
    5.2 Registered athletes must be a member of a Club Affiliated with the ASA and must wear their Club colours along with their 2019 License Number, to be worn on the back and front together with the issued race number. The race number must be worn on the front of the upper garment/vest. Temporary Licensed athletes who are associated with a Club may also wear their Club colours or plain white clothing, with the issued Temporary License Number also on the back, and race number to be worn on the front. No advertising allowed.
    5.3 Entrants will be provided with a commemorative race T-Shirt. Entrants will not be allowed to change the size of the T-Shirt contained in the race pack upon collection of the race pack. Entrants must ensure that they order the correct size T-Shirts to ensure that all sizes ordered by participants will be available. The Organiser has used its best efforts to ensure that all sizes ordered by entrants will be available. However, if because of circumstances beyond the Organiser’s control, the Organiser runs out of a particular size, all attempts will be made to match the T-Shirt sizes as close as possible to the entrant’s requests.
    5.4 There will be photographers and videographers capturing entrants during the event. By entering Soweto Marathon entrants authorise and permit the Soweto Marathon Trust, CGA and their Subsidiaries the right in perpetuity and throughout the world, without any payment, to use the entrant’s photograph, video or film portrayal, image, likeness and voice in any media, including, but not limited to live television cover, catalogues, brochures, displays and any other printed or written material in connection therewith, for the purpose of advertising or promoting the Soweto Marathon and related activities. Commercial photographers will be taking pictures at the event. Participants would need to confirm this service with the commercial photographers. There is no guarantee that your image will be captured and the Soweto Marathon cannot be held responsible for not capturing or identifying an entrant.

  • 6 CONDUCT DURING THE RACE

    6.1 The Race will be run under the rules and regulations of the ASA and the CGA
    6.2 Entrants who elect to walk may only participate in the 10km and stick to the left side of the lane so as to allow the runners to pass by without obstruction
    6.3 Information on complete road closures will be announced closer to race day
    6.4 Unfortunately, no pets or any form of wheel-operated objects that enhance movement will be allowed in the Soweto Marathon as the designated routes are not accessible for pets or wheel-operated objects e.g. no inline skates, prams, skateboards or wheelchairs
    6.5 The Organisers reserve the right to remove any entrant deemed physically incapable of continuing the Soweto Marathon, to prevent them from causing harm or injury to themselves or others

  • 7 RESULTS

    7.1 Each entrants finishing time will be calculated in accordance with their electronic timing chips.
    7.2 The Organisers will then work out the finishing order based on times calculated by the timing chips.
    7.3 If there is a dispute regarding the outcome of the Soweto Marathon the entrant who notes the dispute may appeal the outcome 30 Minutes before or after Prize Giving. However, only appeals in writing submitted to the Organisers will be accepted. A fee of R500.00 will apply to all appeals made which is refundable if the appeal is upheld. The Organisers will take any action they deem appropriate based on their findings. The Organisers decision will be final

  • 8 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

    8.1 Whilst the Organisers will take all reasonable steps to ensure the entrants’ safety during participation in the Soweto Marathon and any events relating to it, participation in the Soweto Marathon will be at the entrants’ own risk. This means that if the entrant agrees to enter the Soweto Marathon and participates in any related events, the entrant will do so on the basis that if they suffer any injury, harm or any loss whilst participating, even if it was caused by the negligence of the Organisers, they will have no claim against the Organisers. The entrant will be responsible to pay for any harm or losses they suffer.
    8.2 The Organisers reserve the right to amend these rules and regulations without giving prior notice or reason for the amendment. The Organisers will, however, give notice of any significant amendments to the rules and regulations on www.sowetomarathon.com as well as on the day of the Soweto Marathon Events.

  • 9 GENERAL

    9.1 Any disputes arising from participation in the Soweto Marathon Events will be referred to arbitration in terms of the rules of the Arbitration Foundation of South Africa to be conducted in Johannesburg.
    9.2 To the extent that it is found that any clause in these rules and regulations is in conflict with Law, that clause will be removed from this document and where practical, feasible and lawful, the remainder of this document will be enforceable against the parties.
    9.3 The Organisers reserve the right to use any photographs, motion pictures, recordings or any other record of this event for any legitimate purpose including commercial advertising.
    9.4 Dope testing will be conducted by South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS).

  • 10 CGA RULES

    10.1 The Race is run in accordance with the rules of the ASA and the CGA. Athletes indemnify the National, Provincial and Regional Bodies, Sponsors and Organisers of the race against any or all actions of whatsoever nature, whatever the same maybe arising out of their participation in the race.
    10.2. Runners must familiarize themselves with and abide by the advertising rules as per the CGA and the ASA rulebooks (IAAF Rule 143 and ASA Rule 13.1 and advertising regulations). These provisions apply for the duration of the race including warming up, all race ceremonies and official press conference. Under no circumstances may a runner display a political slogan [IAAF Rule 2(a)]
    10.3 Registered athletes must be a member of a Club affiliated with the ASA and wear their club colours along with their 2019 License/Temporary License Number back and front. If issued with a race number this must be worn throughout the race, on the front of your upper garment/vest
    10.4 All Licensed athletes competing for category prizes must wear numeric age category tags clearly visible back and front. Athletes are only eligible to claim prize money for the category they have entered. Proof of age for prize winners will be required and to be presented to the referees before prize giving. Prizes will be withheld until confirmed.
    10.5 International Athletes must comply with CGA and ASA rules 142.2 and 4.2. They must also provide a clearance letter from their Country of origin to the Chief Referee, in order to claim a prize.
    10.6 Foreign athletes are not allowed to run with an ASA Provincial License; and are required to purchase a Temporary License otherwise face disqualification (Refer to IAAF rule 4)
    10.7 Foreign athletes are not allowed to run in Club colours unless such Club exists in their Country of origin or they are in possession of a refugee status permit or are naturalised citizens of RSA (Refer to IAAF rule 4)
    10.8 No walkers allowed in the Marathon and the Half Marathon
    10.9 No seconding is allowed.
    10.10 Regret no wheelchair athletes due to the route layout.
    10.11 No blade, cyclist or mechanically operated device allowed in the race.
    10.12 No animals/pets
    10.13 No 2, 3 or 4 wheel carts/prams which are mechanically or manually operated by participants, will be permitted to participate unless special permission has been granted, prams/carts must start at the back of the field.
    10.14 Minimum age: 15yr – 10km 16yr – 21.1km 20yr – 42.2km
    10.15 All traffic Officers and Officials instructions to be obeyed.
    10.16 Participants are not allowed to use Earphones, iPods etc. during the race for safety reasons. Use of these items will lead to disqualification. This excludes hearing aid devices.
    10.17 This event is being timed with the ChampionChip system and therefore you are required to own a ChampionChip to participate in the event.
    10.18 No Chip – No Result – No Prize rule applies
    10.19 Your ChampionChip must be correctly attached to your running shoe and all other timing devices must be removed. No corrections or manual updates will be done due to incorrect use of the ChampionChip or not abiding by the race rules.
    10.20 Athletes may not run with another athlete’s ChampionChip, if found disqualification & disciplinary action will follow.
    10.21 Athletes who participate without buying a race entry will be disqualified and will not be entitled to any benefits associated with the race and will be liable for a double entry charge. Habitual offenders will be called to a CGA disciplinary.