Cape Town cancels

Organisers of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, scheduled for 18 October, have confirmed cancellation of the event. The road and trail Peace Runs have also been cancelled.

Athletics South Africa President Aleck Skhosana said, “Cancelling this year’s edition of the Cape Town Marathon was a difficult decision to make because it is an influential nation-builder with a massive economic impact.” Sydney Mbhele, Chief Executive of Brand at Sanlam, the race’s headline sponsor, commended the organising team saying: “At Sanlam we fully support this decision, and are working alongside our partners to ensure that we are still able to generate as much economic activity as possible from the virtual race.”

The inaugural Sanlam Cape Town Virtual Marathon is set for 18 October with the introduction of a Virtual Marathon, Half Marathon and 5km or 10km Peace Run/Walk options.

Through combining cutting-edge technology, advanced tracking features, and pre-recorded audio and video within the Virtual Marathon App, participants get to enjoy the full Sanlam Cape Town Marathon race experience, no matter where they are in the world – from the start line ceremony, the lighting of the Peace Torch and the promenade sounds of seagulls and crashing ocean waves, to the local crowds and Cape minstrels cheering them on.

Runners’ race experience will be further enhanced by real-time tracking of their own run, while they are also informed of their virtual progress along the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon route.