Cape Town, South Africa — October 19, 2025
By news editor stuff
The 2025 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon — one of Africa’s most anticipated running events — was abruptly cancelled in the early hours of Sunday morning due to extreme weather conditions that posed serious safety risks to runners, staff, and spectators.
The difficult decision was made shortly before dawn, after gale-force winds ripped through the Green Point race venue, tearing down tents, destroying signage, and damaging race infrastructure. The announcement was sent to roughly 24,000 registered runners around 5am, just over an hour before the marathon’s official start time of 6:15am.
According to race organisers, the decision came after an emergency meeting of the Joint Operations Committee (JOC) — a team comprising the City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management, Safety and Security departments, medical services, and the South African Police Service (SAPS). Together, they concluded that the weather conditions made it unsafe to proceed.
“The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is devastated at the cancellation of our very special event,” said Clark Gardner, CEO of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. “We’ve spent months preparing for every possible scenario, but ultimately, a bigger force had the final say. We thank our runners, sponsors, and supporters for their understanding and patience.”
The race, which has become one of South Africa’s most prominent sporting occasions, attracts elite athletes, amateur runners, and tourists from across the globe. Many had already arrived at the venue or were making their way into the city when the cancellation message was circulated via WhatsApp, social media, and radio stations.
Winds Too Dangerous to Ignore
Officials on site described scenes of chaos as the winds intensified overnight. Marquees were torn from the ground, metal scaffolding rattled dangerously, and temporary signage was shredded. Col Christo Engelbrecht of the SAPS, speaking on behalf of the JOC, said the gusts made it impossible to guarantee public safety.
“It’s unsafe for runners and pedestrians in that whole area,” Engelbrecht explained. “The wind was gusting heavily through Woodstock and along the route, and the start and finish infrastructure had been compromised. It was a collective decision — one that prioritised lives over logistics.”
The Cape Town Marathon had been preparing to host thousands of participants across multiple race categories, including a full marathon, half marathon, and 10km peace run. The event has also been a qualifying race for international marathons, further amplifying the disappointment among runners who had trained for months.
Global Reaction and Support
Messages of empathy and support poured in from the international running community. Dawna Stone, CEO of Abbott World Marathon Majors, said the decision, though heartbreaking, was the right one.
“Our heart goes out to the Sanlam Cape Town team. They’re devastated, but the safety of runners, volunteers, and everyone involved must always come first,” Stone said. “I know we were looking forward to a fantastic race day, but we’ll be back in May — and we hope everyone joins us again.”
The City of Cape Town, known for its scenic but sometimes unpredictable weather, frequently deals with strong coastal winds during this time of year. Meteorologists had forecasted gusts exceeding 60 km/h overnight, conditions severe enough to threaten lightweight structures and create debris hazards along the route.
Economic and Emotional Impact
The sudden cancellation dealt a blow not only to athletes but also to vendors, sponsors, and tourism operators who depend on marathon weekend for economic activity. Local businesses — from hotels and restaurants to shuttle services — had seen an influx of visitors in the days leading up to the event.
Still, organisers and city officials emphasised that the decision, while costly, upheld the marathon’s long-standing commitment to safety. Insurance partners and sponsors have been notified, and discussions are underway to support participants affected by travel disruptions.
Looking Ahead: Resilience and Renewal
Despite the setback, both organisers and sponsors expressed optimism that the Cape Town Marathon will return stronger in 2026. The marathon has consistently showcased Cape Town as a world-class running destination, with its coastal route and Table Mountain backdrop earning praise from international sports bodies.
“We’ve built a world-class event here in Cape Town,” Gardner reiterated. “This is a momentary setback — not a failure. The spirit of the marathon is about resilience, and that same spirit will carry us forward.”
As dawn broke over a windy and unsettled city, volunteers and staff worked quickly to dismantle unstable structures, secure loose materials, and guide disappointed runners safely away from the start area.
For many, it was a sobering reminder that nature — not even the best logistics — ultimately sets the terms.
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Source references: TimesLIVE, City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management, World Marathon Majors
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