Cape Town Marathon Cancelled: Organisers Speak Out on Refunds
- The 2025 Cape Town Marathon was cancelled at short notice, disappointing thousands of participants ready to run
- Organisers confirmed that entry fees will not be refunded, and registrations cannot be carried over to next year’s race
- The decision sparked concern and frustration, while authorities emphasised that safety and logistics guided the outcome
The 2025 Cape Town Marathon was abruptly cancelled on Sunday morning, leaving over 24,000 registered participants, including wheelchair athletes, disappointed. Organisers have confirmed that no refunds will be issued following the cancellation.
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Runners, who had gathered for the 06:10 start, were informed at 05:00 that the event would not proceed due to safety concerns. Severe winds overnight caused significant damage at the Green Point race venue, with tents destroyed and branding torn from fences and scaffolding.
The decision to cancel was made collectively by the Joint Operations Committee (JOC), which included representatives from the City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management, Safety and Security departments, medical services, and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Colonel Christo Engelbrecht of SAPS emphasised the dangers:
“The route is unsafe, with strong gusts in Woodstock and compromised infrastructure at both the start and finish areas. The decision prioritises the safety of runners and pedestrians alike.”
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Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis echoed the sentiment:
“While this is a disappointing outcome for runners, the organisers acted responsibly. Safety must come first, even if it means making difficult decisions.”
No refunds or entry transfers
Participants were also informed that entry fees will not be refunded and cannot be carried over to the 2026 race, in line with the official terms and conditions.
Runners, including South Africa’s ultra-distance star Gerda Steyn, who had already assembled, improvised their own runs through the city streetpreparing
Next year’s Cape Town Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 24 May, moving from its usual date in October. The cancellation comes as a setback for organisers who had hoped for the event to be included in the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a prestigious series featuring marathons in London, Berlin, Chicago, Tokyo, New York, Boston, and Sydney.
Clark Gardner, CEO of the Cape Town Marathon, expressed regret:
“Cancelling such a major event is never easy. We have planned for every scenario, but ultimately, safety is paramount. We thank our participants, sponsors, and stakeholders for their understanding.”
Source: Getty Images
Runners react with disappointment
Two runners who were meant to take part in the race, Mpho Nkadimeng and Azukile Nzuzo, expressed their disappointment when speaking to Newzroom Afrika.
Comrades Marathon winner and Olympics runner Gerda Steyn and runner Tumi Sole expressed their frustration in an interview with ENCA.
Mpumalanga marathon winner yet to receive prize money
Briefly News previously reported that the 2024 Mpumalanga Marathon, one of South Africa’s richest road races, was at the centre of controversy after the men’s winner, Lesotho’s Jobo Khatoane, was yet to receive his prize money.
The race offered more than any other marathon in the country, surpassing even the Comrades Marathon payout won by Gerda Steyn, who received R870,000 in May 202
Source: Briefly News
