The Joburg Fire Department cross the 42km finish line of the Soweto Marathon in full fire fighter gear, in the heat, running in memory of their fallen heroes in recent city fires.
For three EMS firefighters, the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon is not just a race. They ran in their bunker gear as an emotional tribute to their fallen colleagues, who perished in the fire that recently engulfed the Bank of Lisbon building.
Firefighters Mduduzi Ndlovu, 40, Simphiwe Moropane, 28, and Khathutshelo Muedi, 37, lost their lives while fighting the raging blaze, which also injured eight of their colleagues two months ago in the Johannesburg city centre.
Nhlakanipho Khoza, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Mzolo Nkosi were kitted in full gear when they took on the 42.2km marathon, and the streets were filled with supporters who stood with them while honouring the fallen heroes.
Dubbed the People’s Race, the marathon attracts runners from around the country and from other African states, including Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia and history was made when a record 32 000 runners pounded the streets and back alleys of Soweto on Sunday, 4 November 2018, during the Soweto Marathon.
This represented an increase of 7 000 more athletes from last year’s total of 25 000 runners. And among the runners was the first citizen of the country President Cyril Ramaphosa.
600 athletes from out of town were accommodated at an athletes village in Central Western Jabavu. The local taxi association offered to ferry them to and from the FNB Stadium at no charge. Scores of the City of Joburg’s Emergency Management Service personnel, Joburg Road Agency officials and the Joburg Metro Police Department lined up the 42.2km, 21km and 10km routes to ensure that everything ran according to plan.
The marathon has a total prize purse of R1 million and comprises a 10km run, a 21km half marathon, and the main event, the 42.2km marathon. Athletes who finish in the top 10 are guaranteed to walk away with at least R250 000 each.
To see a full feature on the firefighters, click below:
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