Blumberg, who took over the role of race director for “The People’s Race” this year, rolled up his sleeves and got working on an event that he believes has the potential to become “the premium marathon in the country”.

A major change in 2016 will see the race’s start and finish being hosted at FNB Stadium.
“We would like this to be the ‘Boston’ or ‘New York’ marathon of South Africa, and having the start and finish at the iconic stadium will most certainly assist with this,” Blumberg says.
For his first year in the job Blumberg has signalled that he will be concentrating on the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon being “operationally sound” and working with sponsors to enhance their offerings and initiatives.

The organisers of the marathon invite athletes to “Be Part of The People’s Race: A Movement Greater Than Yourself”. It encourages South Africans to learn more about Soweto and exposes international runners to one of the most vibrant parts of the country.

The route honours Soweto’s rich history and runners will pass six significant heritage sites on the marathon route. They are:

* Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, the third largest hospital in the world with 3,400  beds and 6,760 staff members;
*    Walter Sisulu Square, the birthplace in 1955 of The Freedom Charter which outlined the vision of a non-racial South Africa based on liberty and civil rights;
*    The Regina Mundi Catholic Church, which became famous for its role in the anti-apartheid struggle and where Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu presided over the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings;
*    Morris Isaacson High School, where learners played a central role in the Soweto Uprising of 1976;
*    Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world to have had two Nobel Prize winners as residents. They were former South African President Nelson Mandela and Tutu.
*     The Hector Pieterson Memorial, named in honour of the 13-year-old who was one of the first fatal victims of police action during the Soweto Uprising.

Old Mutual’s Head of Brand Karen Thomas said: “We are proud to once again be involved with the Soweto Marathon. The route and surrounding areas are steeped in South African history and the marathon is itself a tribute to that legacy.”

A total of 25 000 runners are expected to take part in the three races staged on November 6. The standard marathon (42.2km) will start at 6am, the half marathon (21.1km) at 6.30am and the 10km run at 7am.

Race registration can be done online at www.sowetomarathon.com, with entries closing at midnight on September 5 or once each distance has reached its capacity (9000 participants for the 42.2km, 8000 for the 21.1km run and 8000 for the 10km run).

For more information visit  www.sowetomarathon.com or contact info@sowetomarathon.com or call centre numbers 0619171001 and 0619181002. The call centre operating hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.