The 2025 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon was cancelled early on Sunday.
Weather
The 2025 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon was cancelled early Sunday due to strong winds that damaged tents and fencing at the Green Point venue. About 24,000 runners were affected.
The 2025 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon was cancelled early on Sunday because of strong winds and unsafe conditions.
Organisers said the decision was made around 4:45am, with messages sent to runners shortly after through WhatsApp, social media, and radio stations.
According to organisers, overnight winds damaged tents, fences, and scaffolding at the Green Point venue.
The marathon’s organising team said they consulted with the Joint Operations Committee (JOC) which includes the City of Cape Town, police, and emergency services before deciding to cancel.
About 24,000 runners were expected to start the race at 6:15am, and many were already on their way when the announcement was made.
Colonel Christo Engelbrecht from the SAPS said the route was unsafe due to strong winds, especially in Woodstock, and that the infrastructure at the start and finish had been damaged.
Marathon CEO Clark Gardner said cancelling the event was difficult.
"We are devastated but safety had to come first. We thank our runners, sponsors, and partners for their understanding," he said.
