Cape Town Marathon organisers have confirmed that there will be NO refunds following the cancellation of this year’s race on Sunday morning.
REACTION | Outcry from runners after Cape Town Marathon cancelled
Over 24 000 runners and wheelchair athletes were due to take to the start line from 06:10, only to be told at 05:00 that the race would not go ahead due to “safety concerns”.
New race date
In addition to the lost entry fees, those who entered this year’s race will not have their entries carried over to the 2026 race – as per the entry conditions listed on the entry form and official website.
A number of runners who had already assembled at the start, took to the streets in hastily-arranged groups in order to get in some kilometres – including South African ultra-distance queen, Gerda Steyn.
Next year’s Cape Town Marathon will move from its usual October date to Sunday, 24 May.
The cancellation comes as a devastating blow to the organisers’ hopes of having the Cape Town Marathon included as one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a series consisting currently of seven of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world – London, Berlin, Chicago, Tokyo, New York, Boston and Sydney.
Official statement
In a statement received by The South African, organisers stated: ‘Due to severe winds overnight that carried on into the early hours of the morning, the 2025 edition of the Cape Town Marathon unfortunately had to be cancelled at short notice this morning.
‘The decision to cancel was made at 04:45, and communications to all runners went out at 05:00 in the form of direct WhatsApp messages to all participants and a dedicated running club captains’ group, as well as statements on social media platforms and statements sent to local radio stations, event media partners and key stakeholders.
‘Around 24 000 runners were due to start the race at 06:15, and many were already at the venue or on their way into the city when the cancellation was announced.
‘The winds overnight wreaked havoc in the race venue in Green Point, with marquee tents damaged and branding being ripped off fences and scaffolding, prompting emergency meetings of the race organising team in conjunction with the Joint Operations Committee (JOC), which consists of representatives from the City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management and Safety and Security portfolios, as well as medical services and the South African Police Services (SAPS).
‘Cancelling such a huge event is not an easy decision to make, and Clark Gardner, Chief Executive Officer of the Cape Town Marathon, says “The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is devastated at the cancellation of our very special event.
‘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.”
‘The route is unsafe’
Speaking on behalf of the JOC shortly after the decision to cancel, Colonel Christo Engelbrecht of the SAPS said, “The route is unsafe, as the wind is constantly gusting in Woodstock, and the infrastructure at the start and finish venue has been compromised.
“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.”
The Mayor of the City of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, echoed the thoughts of the organising team.
“All the runners must be disappointed, as are we all.
“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.”
This developing news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
