Clark Gardner, Chief Executive Officer of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon (SCTM), says he tried to push back and challenge the decision to cancel race, but it was out of his hands.
Just 90 minutes before the start the race was called off due to strong overnight winds, leaving 24,000 disappointed runners.
What made matters worse was that by 06:15 – the official start time – the wind had subsided significantly. This prompted runners to think the drastic decision to call off the race, was made prematurely.
In an interview with The Athlete correspondent Ayanda Frances Felem shortly after the controversial call was made, Gardner revealed that if it were up to him, the race would have gone ahead.
Clark Gardner, Chief Executive Officer of the @CTMarathon, says he tried to push back and challenge the decision to cancel today's race. pic.twitter.com/KVNT8aIIC4
— Ayanda Frances Felem (@AyandaFelemZA) October 19, 2025
“I want to emphasise if this was our decision alone, it would be easy, but this isn’t our decision. Law Enforcement, Disaster Risk Management, they make the decision, we only take instructions,” said Gardner.
Felem, who would have run his eighth consecutive SCTM, questioned Gardner about why the race start could not have been delayed.
“I would have loved it. I pushed back, I challenged. What happened is that the road furniture in Woodstock was still blowing over and you wouldn’t have have had a contraflow on the traffic,” explained Gardner
“We couldn’t guarantee the safety of the marshalls putting up the water tables with all the furniture flying. That was up until 8:15,” he added.
Cancellation Timeline: How the Race Fell Apart
Below is a summary of the official SCTM press release giving a blow-by-blow sprint through the decisions, destruction, and heartbreak that led to the cancellation.
00h15 – First Headwinds
The first reports of trouble drifted in with strong gusts buffeting the Race Village at Green Point, rattling both start lines and the finish gantry.
02h00 – The Storm Gains Speed
Winds intensified. Infrastructure began collapsing. By 02h15, fences and gazebos lay twisted on the tarmac.
Gusts hit 48 km/h strong enough to knock over barriers and shred banners like paper bibs.
02h30 – Race Village Shutdown
Officials declared the Race Village unsafe. Volunteers, vendors, and media were evacuated. Access was blocked, equipment trapped inside.03h00 – Route Reports Roll In
Feedback from the route confirmed chaos:
- Sea Point: Start fencing blown into the road.
- Woodstock: Signage toppled, cones scattered.
- Observatory & Rondebosch: Gusts over 48 km/h tearing through residential sections.
04h40 – No Safety Certification
The structural engineer reported that key installations from start towers to medical tents could not be certified as safe.
04h45 – The Unthinkable Call
The Joint Operations Committee (JOC) – including City Disaster Management, SAPS, and medical services – voted unanimously to cancel the race.
05h00 – Word Goes Out
Messages went out via WhatsApp, social media, and radio, urging runners not to travel to the start lines.
05h15 – Public Alerts
Electronic message boards across the city warned motorists of the cancellation.
“The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon was managed in accordance with the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act (SASREA),” said Safety Officer Phil Prinsloo.
“The decision to cancel was unanimous and entirely about the safety and security of participants.
“Neither the marathon’s Majors ambitions nor any other influence played a role.”
Sanlam not part of cancellation decision
Sanlam Turns Setback into Support for Cape Town Marathon Runners
- Title sponsor Sanlam, confirmed they were not part of the organisation team or cancellation decision
- Sanlam will sponsor free entries for all 2025 marathon entrants to either the May 2026 or 2027 race.
- Details on how to claim this offer will be announced later.
- A special campaign will allow 2025 entrants to earn their 2025 medals despite the cancellation.
- No update yet on how the cancellation affects the Abbott World Marathon Majors candidacy.
- Organisers remain hopeful of achieving Major status soon and plan to bounce back strongly in May 2026.
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Runners Disappointed after Shock Cancellation of Sanlam Cape Town Marathon
