The professional outfit revealed on Thursday it had entered 55 elite athletes as part of its ‘Green Team’ for the annual race through the historic township. These included athletes competing over the 42km, 21km and 10km distances.
Fellow Ethiopian Meseret Biru, who went on to win the prestigious Paris Marathon earlier this year after securing victory in Soweto last season, would not be back to defend her crown.
In the absence of Biru, however, the club remained confident of its chances in the women’s 42km race.
“There is no doubt that in particular the women’s side of the race will be dominated by the light green colours of the Nedbank Running Club,” the club said in a statement.
Local favourite Mapaseka Makhanya, who won the half-marathon last year, would compete over the full distance in Soweto for the first time after recovering from an Achilles injury.
