The Sanlam Cape Town marathon was cancelled due to strong winds in Cape Town, on Sunday morning.
Winds wreaked havoc in the race venue overnight, damaging marquee tents and also ripped off scaffolding and the fence.
About 24,000 athletes are in the mother city to run this year’s historic race, to complete an evaluation process to become Africa’s first World Marathon Major in 2026.
The event would have begun on Sunday, 19 October, with a new dual-start, using two venues in Green Point.
Event organisers said the decision was made at around 4:45am, and runners were informed not to report to the starting line, at around 5am.
Christo Engelbrecht, Colonel of the police (SAPS), said “the route is unsafe, as the wind is constantly gusting in Woodstock and the infrastructure at the start and finish venue, has been compromised. It’s unsafe for runners and pedestrians in that whole area.”
The 2026 event is scheduled for May 24 and will also include the 2026 Abbott World Marathon Majors Marathon Tours & Travel Age Group World Championships.
Picture: Kendra Stewart, Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.