Staff Reporter.
The Soweto Marathon podium finishers in the men’s 42km race are winner Daba Ifa Debele, centre, second-placed Gadisa Bekele Gutama, right, and Tsepo Ramashamole at the finish at FNB Stadium, November 6 2022. Picture: Soweto Marathon Twitter Page.
This year’s edition of the 42km Soweto Marathon proved that the race is still one of the most unique sporting events in the SA sporting calendar.
The politics of the broadcasting rights that dominated the talks leading up to the race on Sunday did not deter road running enthusiasts from all over the country.
Over 20,000 runners took part in this year’s edition of the People’s Race.
Ethiopia’s Daba Ifa Debele finished the 42km race first in 2:18:58 followed by fellow countryman Gadisa Bekele Gutama – who finished second in 2:19:27, while Lesothos’ Tsepo Ramashamole grabbed the third spot in 2:20:21.
Great finish by Ethiopian athlete Daba Ifa Debele, who delivers a late kick to win the men’s 42km race in 2:18:58 #SowetoMarathon pic.twitter.com/uUTiw9FTh9
— Soweto Marathon (@SowetoMarathon) November 6, 2022
In the women’s marathon, Ethiopia’s Chaltu Bedo Negashu led the race with a 2:40:56, finish followed by fellow compatriots Amelework Fikadu Bosho (2:43:14) and Tinebebe Nebiyu Ali (2:44:32) who were second and third respectively.
Runners from Lesotho, Kenya and Ethiopia have dominated the township race for years, with 2011 being the last time the Soweto Marathon was won by a South African male athlete – Michael Mazibuko, who crossed the finish line in 2:19:04.