RUNNERS' WIND UIT

CAPE Town Marathon runners had their wind uitgeslaan with a double blow on Sunday, after the race was cancelled at short notice and were told they would get no refund for the entry fee. 

Over 24 000 runners from across the globe descended on the Mother City for the 2025 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon - a 42.195km route around the city.

But severe winds damaged infrastructure, forcing the organiser to call off the even.t

Some runners who were set to participate in the cancelled Sanlam Cape Town Marathon have expressed their disappointment with the race's enforcement of its no-refund policy.

Over 24 000 runners from across the globe descended on the Mother City for the 2025 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon - a 42.195km route around the city.

The message was sent out at 4am on Sunday morning, ahead of the 6.15am start.

In a statement JP Smith mayoral committee member for safety and security said: "The Venue Operations Centre, in consultation with event organisers, made the difficult decision to call off the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon this morning.

"The decision was made with safety as the top priority.

"High winds caused significant damage to event infrastructure at the start, finish, and along several sections of the route, making conditions unsafe for runners, officials, and spectators."

Cape Town's mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis said despite the disappointment he was grateful that the organisers took a decision with runners' safety in mind.

He added: "Cape Town is committed to hosting events of the highest global standards, and that includes sometimes managing difficult calls like this.”

On top of their weeks-long training going to waste, they were devastated by the marathon’s no-refund policy - which means none of the runners will get the money they paid to participate back, not to mention air flights, accommodation and other costs.

The website terms and conditions states: "As per the entry conditions on the entry form and website, we regret that our no refunds policy stands following the cancellation of the event and unfortunately 2025 entries will not be carried over to 2026."

Rowan Abrahams, a runner from Athlone who was to have run his second marathon, said "it is very disappointing. 

He said: “One would have thought the least they could have done is a refund, or at least allowed this entry to go 2026. I heard they are moving the race to April, so it feels unfair that they won't even allow this."

Abrahams ran the course in the Southern Suburbs with a community of runners who came out today, "and it wasnt even that windy".

Organisers said they had no comment on costs lost with the 11th hour cancellation of the marathon - with tickets ranging from R620 to R2 800.

Media manager Renata Bossi said: "We are not thinking of money right now. Our team is devastated.”