Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo hailed the event as a "major success".
He said he was excited by the growth of the marathon and that one day it would do better than the Comrades' Marathon.
"Aside from the obvious competition between athletes, this event is also a way for us to promote healthier lifestyles, but more especially tourism around our biggest township," he said.
"The design of our route brings visitors around Walter Sisulu Square, the iconic Catholic Church and Vilakazi Street, where our two Nobel Prize laureates [former president Nelson Mandela and retired archbishop Desmond Tutu] both lived."
The people of Soweto came out in huge numbers to cheer runners passing their homes.
Some residents gave water to the athletes and hosed down the runners as they battled overcast but humid conditions.
Musician Kabelo "Bouga Luv" Mabalane, of the group TKZee, was particularly well received when he made his way into the Johannesburg Expo Centre where the race ended.
Runner Tshidiso Bosiu won the men's race and Rene Kalmer clinched the women's title.
After much criticism in previous years that the race was not well organised, Athletics SA general manager Molatelo Malehopo said he was pleased with yesterday's meet.
"Everything has gone tremendously well and . what we're most pleased about is that nothing untoward has been reported by any athlete. So we are very satisfied," Malehopo said.
In the past, athletes complained about disorganised parking, and lack of refreshments and marshals along the 42km route.
Some threatened to hold a protest before yesterday's race, but decided against it at the last minute.
"We heard about it [the protest] but . the truth is the athletes chose to vote with their feet and the message was clear that athletes do not have interest in joining silly agendas," Malehopo said.
"We've improved a bit more every year, and this year's event has already shown that."
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Billy Hill