Breaking: Soweto Marathon Trust cancels 2023 race over TV broadcast dispute

These disputes date back to last year when the race was put into jeopardy, but ultimately went ahead.

However, Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) have now removed the Soweto Marathon from its race calendar, leaving the organizers with no alternative but to cancel this year's event.

The Soweto Marathon Trust confirmed this development through an official statement obtained by SABC Sport, stating the race will not be held in November as initially scheduled.

"The ongoing dispute between Athletics South Africa (ASA) and the Soweto Marathon Trust regarding the broadcast rights remains unresolved," said Khunou in the statement.

"Furthermore, ASA, through the Central Athletics South Africa (CGA), informed the Soweto Marathon Trust that the Soweto Marathon race has been removed from CGA’s calendar of races for the year 2023.

"It is thereby, unfortunately and with reluctance, that Soweto Marathon Trust announces the cancelation of the 2023 edition."

Khunou had previously made a strong commitment to resolving the television dispute that arose last year between SM Trust and ASA, but has now relinquished the battle with athletes bearing the brunt of the ongoing politics.

"In 2022, ASA committed the Soweto Marathon to a four-year deal it concluded with SuperSport to broadcast the race without consulting the trustees of the Soweto Marathon Trust," he added in the statement seen by the public broadcaster's sports desk. 

"And it is unclear how ASA planned to utilize the funds derived from the sale of the broadcast rights. 

"Historically, Soweto Marathon Trust negotiated the sale of the broadcast rights as well as other promotional and sponsorship rights, and the funds derived from the sales were used to organize the race. 

"As such, without the funds, the Soweto Marathon Trust will be unable to stage the 2023 edition of the People’s Race."

In 2022, over 20 000 runners entered the race held at FNB Stadium, competing in distances across 10km, 21km, and 42.2km, in which the winning male and female runners were awarded a generous sum of R250 000. 

However, there was a requirement for the Trust to adhere to the regulations of the province, specifically CGA – an organization that operates under the supervision of the overarching body ASA, and which the Trust was not affiliated to.

"ASA’s actions have the potential to destroy the sport of athletics in Soweto, since these actions adversely impact the Soweto Clubs that are beneficiaries of the Trust in carrying out the development of the sport in Soweto. 

"We request the powers that be in the sporting and legal spaces to immediately intervene in breaking the current impasse,” concluded Khunou.