The 2025 Cape Town Marathon was cancelled in the early hours of Sunday morning, just moments before thousands of runners were due to begin the 42.2km race through the Mother City.
The announcement came as a shock to participants and spectators who had travelled from across South Africa and abroad for what was expected to be the marathon’s biggest edition yet.
According to a statement from organisers:
“Due to safety reasons, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has been cancelled. Please DO NOT report to the start. The event will NOT go ahead. Further updates will be communicated.”
The notice was issued less than an hour before the scheduled start time, with no further details given on the nature of the safety concerns.
The cancellation came after a three-day marathon expo that drew thousands of visitors to Cape Town’s Green Point precinct, where runners collected race packs and sponsors showcased products.
Many athletes had already made their way to the start area when news of the cancellation spread. Despite the official notice, videos posted on social media showed large groups of runners deciding to complete the route unofficially, jogging through the city streets as crowds cheered them on.
The weather conditions on Sunday morning appeared clear and calm. Temperatures in the city started at 9°C and were expected to rise to 24°C by midday, with clear skies and light wind.
Some runners expressed confusion over the decision, questioning whether the “safety reasons” mentioned in the announcement were weather-related or due to other logistical factors.
The marathon’s cancellation follows months of buildup. As reported by News24 before the event, this year’s race was expected to attract a record 24,000 runners in its fourth and final year as a candidate for inclusion in the Abbott World Marathon Majors — a series that includes iconic races in Boston, London, New York, Tokyo, Chicago, and Berlin.
Organisers had hoped that a successful 2025 event would secure Cape Town’s bid to become Africa’s first World Marathon Major.
Cape Town Marathon CEO Clark Gardner had earlier described the weekend as “crucial,” saying the race represented the culmination of years of planning and evaluation by international assessors.
“We’re now one step away from becoming an Abbott World Marathon Majors event, so this weekend is crucial. The evaluation places significant focus on our elite field and race operations, and I believe we are in a very strong position,” Gardner told News24 prior to the cancellation.
However, Sunday’s abrupt decision has left many participants disappointed and uncertain about what will happen next.
Some athletes who had trained for months said they were devastated by the lack of communication from organisers. Others took to social media to express frustration, calling for transparency about the safety issues cited.
The organisers have not yet provided additional updates or clarified whether the marathon will be rescheduled. Refund procedures and future event plans are expected to be communicated in the coming days.
