Cape Town Marathon Cancelled As Gale-Force Winds Force Organisers To Call Off Race

The highly anticipated Cape Town Marathon, scheduled for Sunday morning, was cancelled at the last minute due to extreme weather conditions.

Organisers called off the event just after 5 a.m. following reports of gale-force winds that toppled temporary structures along the route, raising major safety concerns for both runners and spectators.

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More than 24,000 participants had registered for the race, with many already gathered at the starting point when the cancellation was announced.

The decision marks a major setback for organisers, who had planned this year’s marathon as phase two of their bid to achieve Abbott World Marathon Major status, joining the ranks of global events like those held in New York, London, Tokyo, and Sydney.

Runners Express Deep Disappointment

The sudden cancellation left thousands of athletes frustrated, particularly those who had travelled long distances to participate.

“I can’t express my disappointment. This was going to be my first Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. When I saw the information, I initially thought it’s fake news. I’ve travelled more than 1500km from Polokwane in Limpopo and I can’t run.

“I spent a lot of money to prepare for the marathon, such as booking for accommodation, flight from Polokwane to Cape Town, and other running needs. I also took leave from my work, I was disappointed to hear this news,” said one runner.

Many participants took to social media to share their frustration, with several calling the decision devastating but understandable under the circumstances.

City Officials Support Safety-First Decision

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis also expressed his disappointment but supported the organisers’ decision, citing the risks posed by the severe weather conditions.

He said, “The race had to be called off due to high winds at the race start and along the route. I’m gutted for the runners but grateful to the event organisers and authorities for taking a decision with runners’ safety in mind.”

Despite the setback, the city and race organisers remain committed to maintaining Cape Town’s reputation as a premier running destination and hope for more favourable conditions in future events.

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