The stakes just got higher for South Africa’s fastest 5K specialists. When theBoxer Super Run Joburg hits Marks Park Sports Club on Sunday, 9 November 2025, athletes will be chasing more than just personal bests, they’ll be racing for a slice of a R147 200 prize purse.
Both the elite men’s and women’s champions will earn R20 000 each, while payouts extend to the top eight finishers in both races. Age-group podiums in the Open Wave will also share in the spoils, rewarding standout performances from Juniors to 70+ runners.
“Our goal is to elevate the profile of short-distance road running by rewarding top performances,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports.
“The 5K may be short, but it demands both raw speed and tactical precision. With strong incentives on the line, we’re expecting world-class racing.”
The Joburg edition marks the first time the Boxer Super Run series lands in Gauteng, following successful events across South Africa that have drawn large, social fields alongside elite competition.
Known as the most social 5K in the country, the event blends festival atmosphere with serious racing at the sharp end.
“By offering R147 200 in prize money, we’re celebrating the dedication of South Africa’s elite athletes,” addsLee-Ann Pillay, Head of Marketing at Boxer Superstores.
“We want to inspire every runner, from elites to social participants, to give their best on race day.”
The event schedule will see the Open Wave start at 07:00, followed by Super Social Waves from 08:00 to 09:30, before the spotlight shifts to the Elite Women at 09:45 and Elite Men at 10:00. A 1km Kids’ Race rounds off the day at 10:30.
ELITE WOMEN’S WAVE Boxer Super Run by Tobias Ginsberg
With its blend of high stakes, fast racing, and festival spirit, the Boxer Super Run Joburg is set to deliver an explosive debut where seconds matter and every stride could mean silverware and lucrative prizemoney.
Boxer Super Run Joburg – Key Details
Date: Sunday, 9 November 2025 Venue: Marks Park Sports Club, Johannesburg Distance: 5km Prize Purse: R147 200 (R20 000 to each elite winner) Start Times:
07:00 – Open Wave
08:00–09:30 – Super Social Wave
09:45 – Elite Women
10:00 – Elite Men
10:30 – Kids 1km Race
Follow: Facebook: Boxer Superstores / Boxer Super Run 5K Instagram: @boxer_superstores / @boxer_superrun5k
The 2025 race’s cancellation meant that the city’s second evaluation could not be completed, but AbbottWMM has thrown its full support behind organisers and sponsors for prioritising safety.
SCTM by Diwan Krige
“We fully support the decision to cancel the 2025 event in the interests of runners, volunteers and staff,”AbbottWMM said, also applauding title sponsor Sanlam for offering to fund entries for all 2025 participants in 2026 or 2027.
AbbottWMM CEO Dawna Stone praised the local team:
“I’d like to thank race director Clark Gardner and his team for their brave actions under pressure. We look forward to being back in Cape Town next May to see both the runners and the race cross that finish line.”
Race organiser Clark Gardner called the development a milestone moment:
“We’re ecstatic that, should we pass stage 2 in 2026, all finishers will receive an Abbott World Marathon Majors star. It’s a huge step toward becoming Africa’s first Major, and we can’t wait to celebrate it with our incredible running community.”
SCTM by Diwan Krige
The 2026 race, taking place on May 24, will also host the AbbottWMM Marathon Tours & Travel Age Group World Championships, whose finishers will likewise receive provisional stars.
Ballot entries open on November 6, setting the stage for what could be a historic year for Cape Town, and for African marathon running.
Zachary Porthen will wade straight into the Test rugby surf this weekend and there’s no lifeguard on duty.
The 21-year-old former Junior Springbok captain is set to become the youngest prop of the professional era to debut for South Africa when theSpringboksface Japan at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Coach Rassie Erasmus has named a largely settled side for the November International opener, sticking with 16 players from the team that edged Argentina 29–27 to clinch the Rugby Championship title.
Zach Porthen is set for his Springbok debut this weekend and Rassie is keen to see how he performs.
🗣️ "He'll be nervous but I think physically he'll be up for it and we'll help him to be mentally ready."#SSRugbypic.twitter.com/NqtzIUai83
“He proved at Vodacom URC level and with the Junior Springboks what he can do,” said Erasmus.
“We’re looking forward to seeing what he offers in his first Test. At this level, you have to sink or swim.”
Porthen joins Ox Nche and Malcolm Marx in a heavyweight front row, with Lood de Jager and RG Snyman locking the scrum. Siya Kolisi leads a loose trio alongside Franco Mostert and Jasper Wiese.
Kurt-Lee Arendse, De Jager, and Mostert return after time out, while Gerhard Steenekamp and Johan Grobbelaar bolster the bench.
The backline sees Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback, Arendse and Ethan Hooker on the wings, and Cheslin Kolbe shifting to fullback.
Erasmus highlighted the value of experience within the squad:
“It’s great to have players back. You can feel their hunger. This is the best team we could field against a quality Japan outfit who’ll want to make a strong statement.”
With six Japan-based Boks in the mix, Erasmus expects a tactical arm wrestle.
“Their experience in that league helps, but Japan will also know them well,” he said.
“They’re well-coached by Eddie Jones and won’t hold back.”
For Porthen, it’s a baptism in Bok green, a plunge into the roaring scrum where the brave either sinks or rise like foam.
Springbok assistant coach Jerry Flannery says the Boks are bracing for a fired-up Japanese side eager to repeat history when the teams clash at Wembley on Saturday, the opening Test of South Africa’s gruelling five-week European tour.
Japan beat South Africa 34–32 in their first match of pool play at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in Brighton in England. At the time it was described as the “greatest Rugby World Cup shock ever”.
@EddieJonesRugby has declared his current squad “better than the 2015 side” that stunned the rugby world in the ‘Miracle of Brighton’, when Japan famously toppled the Boks at the World Cup.https://t.co/AlSUYliIBo via @RugbyWorldCup
With stops in Paris, Turin, Dublin, and Cardiff to follow, the Boks are kicking off what Flannery likened to a “mini–World Cup”, facing fresh opposition each week.
“Japan showed resilience in the first half despite picking up yellow cards, and they showed how well they can defend against one of the best attacking teams,” said Flannery.
“Australia scored six tries against us in the first game in the Rugby Championship, so we are aware that Japan are not just a good attacking side; they can defend well too, and in the last quarter, they came back into the game. They would be disappointed that they didn’t win.”
Japan, smarting from a 19-15 defeat to the Wallabies, will arrive in London hungry and dangerous, and Flannery knows it.
“I’m expecting that Eddie [Jones] will be building up his team all week and they’ll believe that they can win and rewrite history by beating the Boks at Wembley,” he said.
“We need to ensure that we are as well prepared as we can be.”
The vastly experienced Jones, now 65-years old, has already turned up the heat, boldly declaring his current squad “better than the 2015 side” that stunned the rugby world in the ‘Miracle of Brighton’, when Japan famously toppled the Boks at the World Cup.
Flannery, the Bok defence guru, believes that controlling the team’s rhythm after the Rugby Championship remains a key priority, keeping the game plan tight and composed rather than loose and frantic.
And while the road ahead is long, the Irishman sees opportunity in the challenge.
“It’s a great challenge for us,” Flannery said.
“For this tour, we have five different opponents from week to week. That’s how the World Cup will work as well, with a short turnaround between matches, so your ability to stay mentally fresh and keep bringing energy all the time will be good for us.”
As the Boks prepare to charge out under the Wembley lights, they know the Brave Blossoms won’t be mere spectators.
The men from the Land of the Rising Sun are champing at the bit, ready to test South Africa’s mettle in a match that promises sparks, steel, and perhaps another chapter in rugby folklore.
Springbokcoach Rassie Erasmus jetted off to London on Sunday, bracing for a five-week European tour that promises to test every sinew and synapse of the world champions.
The full squad will regroup in the UK on Monday morning, ready to tackle a sequence of five Test matches that reads like a gauntlet of rugby heavyweights.
The Bokskick off their campaign against Japan at Wembley Stadium on 1 November, before locking horns with France in Paris, Italy in Turin, Ireland in Dublin, and Wales in Cardiff. Each encounter will present a fresh challenge in vastly different conditions.
Erasmus, ever the strategist, knows that touring Europe in November is no spring picnic. It’s more like a muddy, cold-weather arm wrestle, where slick southern flair must survive in the trenches.
“We are excited about the tour and to measure ourselves against some of the best teams in the world,” he said before departure.
“A lot of hard work has been put in behind the scenes since the Rugby Championship, and hopefully this will set us in good standing to build on our season so far.”
The Bok mentor is acutely aware of the curveballs awaiting his squad. This includes the heavy air, damp pitches, and bruising opposition. But he believes his players are well-prepared for the north’s wintry grind.
“The conditions are vastly different in the UK and Europe to South Africa this time of the year,” Erasmus noted.
“But fortunately, most of the players have been exposed to those conditions either during their United Rugby Championship tours or by playing for overseas clubs.
“The time zone is also very similar to South Africa, which means we can slot back into full Test mode immediately from our first training session on Monday.”
If the schedule looks daunting on paper, Erasmus embraces it like a seasoned flanker facing down a charging number eight.
He knows the mental battle will be just as fierce as the physical one. It’s been 10 years since Japan caused one of the biggests upsets in the rugby world when the Brave Blossoms beat the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup in Brighton in England in 2015.
Coaches, Eddie Jones (Japan) and Rassie Erasmus (South Africa), will be going head-to-head at Wembley Stadium. Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
“Japan have been improving steadily over the last few years, and they defeated us a few years ago, so we have no doubt they will come out guns blazing next Saturday and throw everything at us,” he said.
France and Ireland, both top-four sides, loom as potential tour-defining tests.
“The last time we faced France in Paris was in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final, and that result will psyche them up going into the match against them,” said Erasmus.
“They are also ranked fourth in the world currently, and Ireland third, and we all know how tough matches at the Aviva Stadium are against them.”
He also expects spirited resistance from Italy and Wales. These two teams have plenty to prove on home turf.
“Italy put up a brave fight against us in Pretoria, and that will give them confidence going into our match in Turin. Wales will also be up for the challenge after recovering from a tough few years earlier this season, so we need to be ready mentally and physically each week to get the desired results.”
“It won’t be easy,” he concluded, “but we have a quality group of players, and we know what they are capable of doing when we stick to our structures and play to our potential on the day.”
Adriaan Wildschutt has done it again. The South African road running sensation added another national record to his growing collection on Sunday, turning heads in Spain with a breathtaking run at the Valencia Half Marathon.
In his first-ever outing over 21 kilometres, the 27-year-old from Ceres clocked 59 minutes and 13 seconds, slicing 23 seconds off Stephen Mokoka’s previous South African record of 59:36, set in 2020.
Wildschutt’s performance placed him fifth overall in a fiercely competitive race won by Ethiopian star Yomif Kejelcha in 58:02.
Adriaan Wildschutt trains hard on the track Photo: Facebook
His record run comes just weeks after Maxime Chaumeton (26:55)broke Wildschutt’s SA 10km record (27:28) set earlier this year at theAbsa RUN YOUR CITY Gqeberha 10K, marking a golden period for South African distance running.
The Olympic finalist, who represented South Africa in the Paris 2024 Games in the 10 000m, said he thrives on setting ambitious goals and putting them in plain sight.
“So many people have been asking me why I put my goals out there for everyone to see and potentially criticize,” Wildschutt explained in a post on social media.
“My response is simple … I like challenging myself, and I’m not scared to fail. I feel like I thrive under pressure, even if it’s pressure I put on myself. In the end, I’m doing this for myself and no one else.”
Wildschutt represents Western Province Athletics (WPA) when he competes in South Africa. He is however based in the USA.
Adriaan Wildschutt in action in the colours of Western Province Athletics (WPA) Photo: Supplied
After completing his collegiate career and earning his MBA from Florida State, Wildschutt moved to Arizona and joined the HOKA NAZ Elite professional running squad.
Running in the HOKA Northern Arizona Elite colours, Wildschutt battled gusty winds over the final stretch but refused to ease up.
“It was quite windy the last 8k, and I know I can go even faster,” he said.
“For now, I’m very grateful to God and everyone who’s always supporting me.”
The Valencia performance marks Wildschutt’s fourth South African record, cementing his reputation as one of the country’s most versatile and consistent distance runners. He already owns national bests over 3 000m (7:32.99), 5 000m (12:55.02), and 10 000m (26:50.64). These achievements speak to years of relentless training and discipline.
WPA President Farouk Meyer praised the athlete’s record-breaking form, noting that his path to road-running success was forged on the track.
“Adriaan once again proved that if elite athletes want to perform on the road, they need to build their speed on the track,” said Meyer.
“He’s a perfect example of this philosophy. WPA is extremely proud of him.”
From Ceres to the world stage, Wildschutt continues to show that South African distance running is alive and kicking. And, in his case, sprinting into fresh territory with every stride.
Johannesburg, it’s time to hit the pavement! The Boxer Super Run lands at Marks Park Sports Club on Sunday, 9 November 2025, turning the city streets into a 5K playground for every kind of runner, from speed demons to tutu-clad fun-seekers.
Four waves, one epic morning: Open Wave, Super Social Wave, Elite Women, and Elite Men. Pick your vibe, lace up your sneakers, and let the good times roll.
Boxer Super Run Elite Men by Tobias Ginsberg
“Our goal is simple and that is to welcome every kind of runner to the event,” says Lee-Ann Pillay, Head of Marketing atBoxer Superstores.
“The beauty of the 5km distance lies in its inclusivity: it’s accessible for first-timers, fun for social joggers, and still delivers an exhilarating test for seasoned athletes chasing fast times.”
Early birds, get ready, the Open Wave bursts off at 07:00. Perfect for competitive runners, school teams, and anyone hungry to chase a PB.
From 08:00 to 09:30, it’s the Super Social Wave’s time to shine. Think funky costumes, squads of friends, laughter echoing down the streets. This wave is all about fun, flair, and epic selfies.
Boxer Super Run Social Wave by Tobias Ginsberg
“We encourage runners to get creative, dress up, and bring the energy. It’s a chance to make memories, not just mileage,” Pillay adds.
And then the heavy hitters arrive: Elite Women (09:45) and Elite Men (10:00). South Africa’s fastest will duel for the crown of King and Queen of the Boxer Super Run. This is a showdown that’ll have you cheering till your voice gives out.
Every runner gets a performance T-shirt, goodie bag, timing chip, and a finisher’s medal. Plus, the unbeatable buzz of running through a city that’s buzzing with energy.
Need-to-know: Venue: Marks Park Sports Club Date: Sunday, 9 November 2025 Distance: 5km Start Waves:
07:00 — Open Wave (competitive, early risers)
08:00–09:30 — Super Social Wave (fun, costumes, squads)
09:45 — Elite Women
10:00 — Elite Men Extras: T-shirt, goodie bag, medal, timing chip, and endless smiles
Boxer Super Run Elite Women by Tobias Ginsberg
Follow the hype on Facebook (Boxer Superstores / Boxer Super Run 5K) and Instagram (@boxer_superstores / @boxer_superun5k).
Whether you’re chasing PBs, rocking a tutu, or just out for laughs, the Boxer Super Run proves one thing: in Jozi, 5K isn’t just a race, it’s a party on the move!
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA), in partnership with the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS), hosted its annual Spirit of Comrades Awards Gala in Durban on Friday, 24 October 2025.
This prestigious celebration pays tribute to the heart and soul of The Ultimate Human Race, recognising the selflessness, courage, perseverance, and Ubuntu that define the Comrades Marathon.
A cherished tradition since 1996, the GEMS Spirit of Comrades Awards honour three extraordinary individuals each year, not only for their running achievements but for exemplifying the true spirit of humanity that makes the world’s oldest and largest ultramarathon legendary.
Each recipient receives a one-ounce pure gold medallion, symbolising their golden contribution to the Comrades legacy.
Louis Massyn has run his way into history books and hearts alike. On his 75th birthday, the Comrades Marathon veteran received the first-ever Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) Lifetime Achievement Award, marking an unprecedented milestone: 50 Comrades Marathons completed.
It’s a record as rare as a blue moon over Polly Shorts, forged through decades of sweat, resolve, and an unbreakable bond with The Ultimate Human Race.
“I was hooked,” Massyn recalls of his first Comrades back in 1973, and hooked he remained for the next half-century.
Year after year, while others came and went, Massyn laced up and showed up. He clocked 47 consecutive finishes from 1973 to 2019, then, after the pandemic hiatus, added three more from 2023 to 2025 to reach that golden tally — at the age of 74. His lifetime commitment to the Comrades is a masterclass in resilience, grit, and grace.
CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo described his achievement as “beyond extraordinary,” adding: “This award honours an athlete who has delivered exceptional performances over an extended period of time, or broken a significant milestone or barrier associated with the Comrades Marathon. Louis has done both.”
The 2025 GEMS Spirit of Comrades Awards Gala, hosted in Durban in partnership with the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS), once again celebrated runners and volunteers who embody the race’s soul, selflessness, perseverance and Ubuntu.
“GEMS is proud to partner with the Comrades Marathon Association in celebrating the Spirit of Comrades,” said Dr Vuyo Gqola, GEMS Chief Operations Officer.
“This partnership aligns with our mission to promote health and wellness and embodies our commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can pursue their dreams.”
This year, the CMA received 368 nominations, recognising stories that remind the world why Comrades is called The Ultimate Human Race. Alongside Massyn, several other heroes of heart and humanity took centre stage.
Celebrating the Spirit of Humanity
Sphamandla “Spha” Maduna, who has cerebral palsy, turned heads and touched hearts when he completed his first Comrades in 10:52:46, proving that “disability does not mean inability.”
Prince Nemutanzhela, a novice from Irene Athletic Club, ran the race just weeks after surviving a violent home invasion that claimed his friend’s life and left his wife injured. Finishing in 11:48:41, he became a living symbol of courage over tragedy.
Pogiso Maroku, a soldier from the Pretoria Military Marathon Club, embodied the Comrades creed of camaraderie when he sacrificed his own race time to help an older fellow soldier across the line, despite running injured himself.
The three recipients of GEMS Spirit of Comrades Awards in 2025 are (from left) Prince Nemutanzhela, Sphamandla Maduna and Pogiso Maroku. Images courtesy Comrades Marathon Association.
The night also honoured those who continue to uplift the Comrades community beyond the road. Bob Norris, long-time Daily Dispatch journalist and veteran of the press tent, was named CMA Journalist of the Year for decades of storytelling that kept the Comrades flame alive.
Philanthropist runner Mahesh Ratanjee earned Top Charity Fundraiser of the Year after raising over R320,000 for the Community Chest, continuing his mission to support children’s development in memory of his late daughter.
The newly introduced Top Club to Raise Funds for Charity Award went to Run Zone Athletics Club, whose members collectively raised R176,267 through the Race4Charity initiative.
Portuguese ultrarunner Tiago Dionisio was crowned Top International Ambassador, recognised for his global promotion of the Comrades brand and his epic fundraising rides from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg.
From Texas, Steven Maliszewski received the inaugural Hermes Award for his tireless advocacy for the Ethembeni School, having raised over R1.5 million since 2012.
The CMA Chairperson’s Award went to Pie-Pacifique Kabalira-Uwase, a Rwandan genocide survivor who rose from car guard to banker and, this year, a Comrades finisher in 11:58:45, symbolising the indomitable human spirit.
Finally, Long Service Awards honoured Lauretta Dunn (45 years of volunteer service), and long-time partners Biddulphs International and Form-scaff, for their decades of logistical and structural support that keep the race running like clockwork.
As Ngcobo summed up, “The incredible stories shared tonight reflect the very soul of the Comrades, ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”
And at the centre of it all stood Louis Massyn, the man who has run fifty Comrades and outpaced time itself. On his 75th birthday, with the road behind him and a nation cheering him on, he showed the world that endurance isn’t about distance, it’s about heart.
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has announced that entries for the2026 Comrades Marathonwill open at 12:00 on Monday, 27 October 2025, with the first week reserved exclusively for Green Number Clubrunners andCMA Members.
Entries for all other athletes will open on Monday, 3 November at 10:00, and close on 28 November, or earlier if the entry cap of 22,000 is reached. The CMA confirmed that this will be the only entry window for the 2026 race.
“This early entry window is a token of appreciation to all Green Number Club athletes and CMA Members for their many years of loyalty and dedication to The Ultimate Human Race,” said CMA General Manager Alain Dalais.
“We are incredibly proud of our Green Number Club members and inspired by their commitment. Similarly, we value and appreciate our CMA Members, who take a greater interest in everything to do with the event.”
Only CMA members who signed up or renewed by 23 October 2025 will qualify for early entry.
Recognising Loyalty
The Green Number Club includes runners who have completed the Comrades Marathon 10 times, earned five gold medals, or won the race three times. The early entry opportunity was introduced in 2025 and extended this year to include CMA Members.
“This offer honours the dedication and perseverance of athletes who have achieved permanent Green Number status and those who support the race as CMA Members,” said Dalais.
Entry Fees Unchanged
Entries can be completed online at www.comrades.com or via the official Comrades Marathon app. The CMA confirmed that entry fees remain unchanged for the third consecutive year.
“In our continuing effort to make the race accessible to as many runners as we can, we have kept the entry fees the same since 2023,” said Dalais.
“Also, as a further reward for exceptional commitment, the entry fee is waived for runners who have earned 25 or more Comrades medals.”
Entry fees for 2026:
South Africa: R1200
Rest of Africa: R2000
International: R4500
Runners may pay the full amount immediately or in two instalments, with the balance due by end-February 2026. Up to 1,500 disadvantaged athletes will be able to apply for reduced fees of up to 50% through the Comrades Runners’ Relief Fund.
Qualification and Substitutions
The qualification period for the 2026 Comrades Marathon runs from 9 June 2025 to 4 May 2026. To qualify, runners must complete an officially timed 42.2km marathon in under five hours.
The deadline for submitting qualifying details, club information and seeding upgrades is 4 May 2026.
The withdrawal window will run from 16 to 30 March 2026, followed by the substitution window from 1 to 15 April 2026.
“The athlete substituting in will pay the full 2026 entry fee to the CMA,” said Dalais. “The withdrawing athlete will be charged a 15% administrative fee and refunded 85% of their entry fee. No money or vouchers will be exchanged between athletes.”
The 2026 Up Run
The 99th edition of the Comrades Marathon will also mark the 50th Up Run, from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, on Sunday, 14 June 2026. The race will start at 5:30am outside Durban City Hall and finish 12 hours later at Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse, covering approximately 87km.
The official race campaign, “Ska Fela Moya” is Setswana for Don’t Give Up. It embodies the determination and resilience that have defined the Comrades spirit for nearly a century.
In a cruel twist of fate that left thousands adrift, the 2025 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon was called off before dawn on Sunday, sunk not by human error, but by gale-force winds that tore through the city overnight like a rogue wave smashing a fragile pier.
Adnaan Mohamed – Interview with eNCA after shock cancellation of Sanlam Cape Town Marathon
At 4:45am, race organisers pulled the plug on the 42.2km spectacle after hurricane-strength gusts ripped through Green Point, toppling scaffolding, mangling tents, and whipping banners into what looked like seaweed tossed by a storm tide
By 5am, runners’ phones buzzed with the devastating message: “Race cancelled.”
For the 24,000 athletes who had trained for months with some already limbering up at the start line, it felt like being swept under by an unexpected breaker just metres from shore.
“A Bigger Force Had the Final Say”
Clark Gardner Photo: Tobias Ginsberg
“The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is devastated at the cancellation of our very special event,” said Clark Gardner, CEO of the marathon.
“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.”
Safety First Amid the Storm
As winds howled across the city, the Joint Operations Committee (JOC) including theCity’s Disaster Risk Management, SAPS, medical teams, and safety officials convened emergency meetings. The consensus was as clear as still water: the race could not go on.
“The route is unsafe, as the wind is constantly gusting in Woodstock, and the infrastructure at the start and finish venue has been compromised,” said Colonel Christo Engelbrecht of SAPS.
“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.”
Even elite runners took the blow with grace. Gerda Steyn, South Africa’s marathon queen, believes it’s important that runners respect the decision of the race organisers.
“There is not a lot that we can do about this. It’s unfortunate that it has happened and of course it’s a disappointment, but we as SA runners are resilient and are built in a way that we can process this in a positive way.
“People can still celebrate the fact that we are still healthy and can still enjoy the day. I believe now is the time just to look at the positives and not dwell too much on the what ifs”
Runners Left High and Dry
Not everyone, however, was ready to float quietly away. Long-time participant Garlen Fredericks, who has run the race for a decade, vented online:
“This smells like sabotage. This is like getting the bride to church on time and then you cancel the wedding. We are deeply disappointed as runners.”
“Wind, what wind? My first reaction was that it’s fake news. People want to run. We are in utter shock and disbelief. Don’t tell me it’s God.
“How is Cape Town supposed to get World Abbott Marathon Major Status as a race? We live with danger every day. Surely all the mitigations were in place?”
A City Weathering the Blow
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, himself a champion of the marathon’s World Marathon Major ambitions, acknowledged the heartbreak but defended the call:
“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 making difficult calls like this one.”
Refunds and Carryovers
SCTM initially confirmed the race’s no-refund policyremains in effect.
However, on Sunday afternoon,title sponsor Sanlam announced that it will be offering every 2025 marathon entrant a sponsored entry for either May 2026 or 2027.
This offer will be extended to all 2025 marathon entrants, regardless of whether the race succeeds in its bid to become Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Majors event.
A Dream Blown Off Course
SCTM wind damage on the route Photo: Supplied
What was meant to be a celebration of endurance and unity turned into a storm-tossed shipwreck of emotion, organisers standing firm at the helm, and runners left stranded, their medals and milestones swept away by a force no one could tame.
For now, Cape Town’s dream of World Marathon Major status remains afloat but battered. This is a sober reminder that even the best-laid race plans are at the mercy of the elements.
The next edition of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is planned for May 2026, when organisers and runners alike will hope for calmer seas.
