'The course is challenging' - The Diepkloof Half Marathon: essential training for the Soweto Marathon

Billed as the perfect preparation for the Soweto Marathon, the Diepkloof Half Marathon is one of the oldest township races in South Africa. Run in one of Soweto’s most well-known neighbourhoods since 1995, the race is notoriously challenging taking in some of the big hills that runners will tackle during the Soweto Marathon a fortnight later.

"The course is just as challenging as the original race as it gives runners the twists and turns through the streets of Diepkloof and takes them through the breathtaking loops in phase 3 before runners make a sprint back to the finish where the race also starts," explains Diepkloof Athletic Club (DAC) deputy chairperson Matsebe Maila. "It still gives runners an opportunity for final checks before attempting the mother of all Soweto races," he laughs.

Runners being taken through their paces by celebrated Bus Driver Sibusiso Mlangeni during the 2019 edition of the Diepkloof Half Marathon. Photo Credit: Peteni Khuzwayo.

This year's race which takes place at the Diepkloof Mitlupurpose Centre is scheduled for Sunday 20 October, exactly two weeks before the African Bank Soweto Marathon is hosted just a stone's throw away at the Nasrec Expo Centre. Former Gauteng Marathon champion and runner-up at the 2017 Soweto Marathon Mapaseka Makhanya, who now runs in the colours of DAC, has been known to take part in the half marathon in the past, along with a host of other top runners including the Phalula Twins whose successful athletic careers started on the streets of Diepkloof, Soweto.

"Yes, the Phalula have been part of the race many times before. We are awaiting confirmation from some of the elites who will be taking part in our race this year," he said playing his cards close to his chest.

But it's not just about those hoping to use the 21km race as their last hard training run before the 42km race on 3 November, it is also a family event where walkers are also welcome to try one of the shorter distances.

"We have a 21km and 10km races which start at 06:00 as well as a 5km fun run which gets underway at 06:30. Our headline sponsor, Renault, will be running a competition on race day in which a lucky participant stands a chance to win use of a Renault Captur for six months, while this year’s post-race entertainment will feature the king of squats who will take the runners through a delectable session of aerobics but as usual it turns into a jamboree. Entries are available at the race venue until the early hours of Sunday and will close 45 minutes before the gun" said Maila.