Sunday’s Cape Town Marathon was sensationally cancelled by race organisers just over an hour prior to the starting gun having been fired.
Over 24 000 runners from all corners of the world had been due to tackle the 42.195km route around the Mother City.
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Organisers cancelled the race due to “safety concerns”.
The news 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.
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‘No food wasted’
Many wondered what would happen to all the food that was distributed to the aid station at the halfway mark – and at the finish – by official food sponsors, Woolworths.
The South African retail giants took to social media on Monday to confirm that no food went to waste.
‘As official food sponsor of the 2025 Cape Town Marathon, we had prepared to feed 24 000 marathon runners at the halfway mark and at the finish line.
‘When the cancellation of the Cape Town Marathon was announced at 04:45 on Sunday, our team sprang into action to ensure the fresh produce didn’t go to waste. By 10:00, all available food had been collected by 18 charities to be distributed to those who needed it most.
‘Woolworths had organised 26 000 bananas, 20 000 Clemengolds, 280kg of potatoes, 10kg of dried fruit, 5 000 apples, 4 800 dates, 1 800 sandwiches and 600 hot cross buns to be given to runners on the day.
‘Because the event was cancelled, instead of runners being fuelled by top quality fresh produce, charities in Cape Town were able to feed communities in need – and no food went to waste!’
Official statement by race organisers
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.”
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.”
Next year’s Cape Town Marathon will move from its usual October date to Sunday, 24 May.
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