Cape Town, South Africa — In a decision that sent shockwaves rippling through the running world the 2025 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon (SCTM) was dramatically cancelled before sunrise on Sunday due to ferocious winds battering the Mother City overnight.
The call to abort the 42.2km showpiece came at 4:45am, after gale-force gusts tore through the Green Point race village overnight, shredding tents, toppling scaffolding, and whipping banners into tangled seaweed.
By 5am, runners’ phones buzzed with the grim news: the race was off.
More than 24,000 athletes, some already warming up at the start line , saw their marathon hopes swept away by nature’s fury just an hour before the starting gun was due to fire at 6:15am.
‘A bigger force had the final say’
“The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is devastated at the cancellation of our very special event,” said Clark Gardner, CEO of the marathon.
“We have worked for months on planning for all scenarios and conditions, but ultimately a bigger force had the final say, and we are so sorry for the situation.
“We wish to thank our participants, sponsors and stakeholders for their ongoing support and understanding.”
As the Joint Operations Committee (JOC), including the City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management, Safety and Security, medical teams, and SAPS huddled in emergency meetings, the verdict became inescapable: the conditions were simply too dangerous.
“The route is unsafe, as the wind is constantly gusting in Woodstock, and the infrastructure at the start and finish venue has been compromised,” confirmed Colonel Christo Engelbrecht of SAPS.
“It’s unsafe for runners and pedestrians in that whole area, and that’s why the race has had to be cancelled.
“It was a collective decision made by the whole team in the Joint Operations Committee.”
According to SCTM organisers the wind played havoc with race infrastructure overnight. Photo: Supplied
‘This smells like Sabotage’
However, the drastic decision to cancel the race understandably didn’t go down well with many disappointed runners.
Irate runner Garlen Fredericks who has been running the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon for 10 years said on social media:
“This smells like sabotage. This is like getting the bride to church on time and then you cancel the wedding. We are deeply disappointed as runners.”
“Wind, what wind? he asked.
“My first reaction was, that it’s fake news. People want to run.
“We are in utter shock and disbelief. Don’t tell me it’s God. I mean, I believe in God.
“How is Cape Town supposed to get World Abbott Marathon Major Status as a race?
“We live with danger and risk everyday as Cape Townians. We understand safety. We understand protocols, but certainly you put in all the mitigating structures in for years to come.”
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, himself a vocal supporter of the city’s bid to make the marathon a World Marathon Major, acknowledged that while the decision hurt, safety had to come first.
“All the runners must be disappointed, as are we all,” said Hill-Lewis.
“But I’m grateful to the event organisers for taking a decision with runners’ safety in mind after heavy winds blew down some race infrastructure this morning.
“The City is committed to hosting events of the highest global standards, and that includes sometimes managing difficult calls like this one.”
Sanlam to Sponsor 2026 or 2027 Entries
The SCTM initially confirmed that according to their cancellation policy, no refunds would be issued to runners.
“As per the entry conditions listed on the entry form and website, we regret that our no refunds policy stands, following the cancellation of the event this morning.
“Unfortunately, 2025 entries will not be carried over to 2026.”
However, later on Sunday afternoon title sponsor Sanlam announced that it will be offering every 2025 marathon entrant a sponsored entry for either May 2026 or 2027.
This offer will be extended to all 2025 marathon entrants, regardless of whether the race succeeds in its bid to become Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Majors event.
The specifics of this offer, and the entry process that 2025 entrants need to follow, will be announced in due course.
For now, the city’s marathon dreams to become a World Major have been left high and dry, stranded by winds that refused to play fair. What was meant to be a tide of triumph turned into a tempest of disappointment.
This proof that, even in the most meticulously planned races, Mother Nature always holds the ultimate stopwatch.
The next edition of the SCTM is planned for May next year.
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