The 2023 Soweto Marathon race which was scheduled for November 2023 has been canceled due to the ongoing TV broadcast rights. SABC Sport reported on Tuesday that the disputes date back to last year when the race was put into jeopardy. But ultimately went ahead.

The Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) have since removed the Soweto Marathon from its race calendar. This has left the organizers with no alternative but to cancel this year’s event.

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The Soweto Marathon Trust confirmed this development through an official statement. They stated that 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 the trust. 

“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.

SOWETO MARATHON CANCELED 

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

There was a commitment to resolving the television dispute that arose last year.

“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,” they added. “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. As such, without the funds, the Soweto Marathon Trust will be unable to stage the 2023 People’s Race.”