Why The Cape Town Marathon’s Cancellation Was The Right Call, Say Organisers

Safety Over Spectacle

In a decision that left thousands of runners heartbroken, organisers of the 2025 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon say calling off Sunday’s race was unavoidable. Group CEO of Faces, Clark Gardner, said gale-force winds that ripped through the Mother City in the early hours of Saturday caused extensive damage to the race village and route infrastructure.

“From just after midnight, everything from fencing to road furniture had been blown over,” Gardner explained. “There was simply no way to guarantee the safety of our runners, volunteers, or staff.”

The cancellation came just hours before the race was set to begin and just as the event was poised to join the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors, alongside legendary races like London, New York, and Tokyo.

A Blow To The City, But Not Its Spirit

For many Capetonians, the marathon has become more than just a race it’s a showcase of the city’s beauty, resilience, and community spirit. The decision to pull the plug, though painful, has been widely understood once images of the damage began circulating online.

Videos shared by disappointed runners on social media showed barriers flattened, tents torn apart, and debris scattered across the route. “I was gutted, but seeing the destruction made it clear there was no way it could go ahead,” one local runner posted on X (formerly Twitter).

City officials, including Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith, said they shared in the disappointment but backed the organisers’ prioritisation of public safety.

Major Dreams Still Alive

The cancellation raised questions about whether the Cape Town Marathon’s ambition to join the World Marathon Majors would be affected. Gardner confirmed that assessors from the Majors were on-site and observed how organisers handled the crisis.

“They were next to us from just after 5AM, assessing our crisis management and communications,” he said. “They could see first-hand the professionalism and care that went into our decision-making.”

Sanlam has announced that all 2025 entrants will receive free entry into either the 2026 or 2027 event a gesture that’s been well received by the running community.

A Medal Still Within Reach

While the race didn’t go ahead, Gardner hinted at a silver lining. A special campaign, set to be announced this week, may still allow runners to earn their Cape Town Marathon medals in a creative way keeping the spirit of the race alive despite the storm.

As one runner put it online, “We didn’t get to run through Cape Town this weekend, but we saw its heart. That’s what makes this marathon special.”

{Source:EWN}

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