The African Bank Soweto Marathon — the People’s Race — returns on Sunday 29 November 2026, sending thousands of runners on a circular route that starts and ends at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec and winds past the township’s most storied landmarks. A half marathon and 10 km run on the same morning, making it a festival of running for every level.
No other marathon in South Africa carries the emotional weight of the African Bank Soweto Marathon. The route threads past Vilakazi Street — home to both Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu — the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Orlando Stadium, turning 42.2 km into a moving tour of the country’s struggle history, cheered on by some of the warmest crowds in world running.
Why run the African Bank Soweto Marathon
Runners call it the People’s Race for a reason: whole neighbourhoods turn out with music, food and encouragement, and the support carries you through the tough late kilometres. For many South African runners it is a rite of passage, and international visitors increasingly build running holidays around it.
The early 06:00 start beats the November heat, and the Highveld’s altitude adds a badge-of-honour challenge. Finishing in the Expo Centre precinct, medal in hand, with Soweto’s landmarks behind you is a running memory few races anywhere can match.
Event details
- Event: African Bank Soweto Marathon 2026 — the People’s Race
- Date: Sunday 29 November 2026, from 06:00
- Start/Finish: Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, Soweto
- Distances: Marathon (42.2 km), half marathon and 10 km
- Route highlights: Vilakazi Street, Hector Pieterson Memorial, Orlando Stadium
- Entries: Via official registration; fees published at registration
Entries and tips
African Bank Soweto Marathon entries are snapped up quickly once registration opens — the marathon field in particular has a cap, so enter early. Entry fees for each distance are published at registration, and charity and club entries are usually available.
Train for heat and altitude, get to Nasrec early on race morning for parking and bag drop, and carry sunscreen — November in Gauteng is high summer. Supporters can move between Vilakazi Street and Orlando to catch runners twice before heading to the finish festival.
African Bank Soweto Marathon FAQs
When is the race? Sunday 29 November 2026, starting from 06:00 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec. Each distance has its own start time, confirmed with race packs.
Which distance should I choose? The full marathon is the iconic challenge, but the half marathon covers many of the famous landmarks, and the 10 km is perfect for first-timers who want the atmosphere without the mileage.
Is it beginner friendly? The 10 km absolutely is, and the crowd support across all distances is legendary. Whatever you run, you will understand by the finish why this is called the People’s Race.
Make a weekend of it: explore Soweto’s restaurants and museums the day before, browse more events in Gauteng, or wind down with our favourite things to do in Johannesburg after race day. The African Bank Soweto Marathon 2026 is more than a run — it is South African history at street level, one stride at a time.
Since its first running in the early 1990s, the Soweto Marathon has grown into one of the country’s most loved road races, and the African Bank era has brought record fields and a festival-scale race village. Elite athletes chase one of the most competitive titles on the local calendar, while thousands of everyday runners chase something more personal — a finish line that means a little more here than anywhere else.
Whether you are racing the clock or walking the 10 km with friends, pack your South African flag, charge your phone for the Vilakazi Street photos, and prepare for goosebumps at the start-line rendition of Shosholoza. Race day in Soweto is an experience every runner should have at least once — and 29 November 2026 is your next chance.
