Press Release: 80 Days to Go Until the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon

Cape Town, South Africa – Friday, 2nd August 2024 – The countdown has begun. With only 80 days remaining until the 2024 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, anticipation is mounting as organizers provide a comprehensive update on their strides towards becoming Africa’s first sporting Major.

Achievement of 80% Participant Target

Interest in this year’s marathon has been unprecedented, with entry numbers surging. We have secured 16,000 marathon entries, moving steadily towards our goal of 20,000. This milestone has been achieved largely due to the overwhelming support of our #YouDoCount campaign, which has seen the local running community rally behind our quest to attain Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM) status.

Progress Towards AWMM Assessment

Our ongoing efforts to meet the stringent criteria for AWMM status remain on track for assessment in 2024. The event has felt the unwavering support of the City of Cape Town, with Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis sharing, “The City of Cape Town has been part of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon’s journey to become an Abbott World Marathon Majors for the last three years, providing as much support as possible for the marathon to achieve this goal. For the 2024 race, we stand 100% behind the marathon because we recognise what the prestigious status of Africa’s first World Major Marathon could mean for Cape Town in terms of benefits to our economy and promoting our city to a global audience.”

In addition to local support, we have received substantial global backing. Race directors from other Major marathons, including those from London, Boston, and New York, as well as CEOs of Berlin, Chicago, and AWMM, will join us this year. 

Enhanced Parking Restrictions and Elite Field

A new and improved parking restriction plan will be implemented for 2024, ensuring no parked cars obstruct the marathon route. “While the event’s 2023 parking plan was robust, there were execution inconsistencies. The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is committed to addressing these issues in 2024 as we strive to meet AWMM criteria,” noted Barry van Blerk, Race Director of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.

We are pleased to announce a bolstered elite field meeting the AWMM criteria of a field containing at least 5 World Athletics (WA) Gold Label athletes of each gender. . Substantial financial investment from CPT Marathon (Pty) Ltd and our sponsors has enabled us to secure top athletes, including both the 2023 male and female marathon winners – Adane Kebede Gebre (2:11:29) and Tsige Haileslase Abreha (2:24:17) – who will be returning to defend their titles. The elite field will be the best marathon field ever to participate on African soil and includes a healthy balance of previous AWMM winners, South African champions and exciting debutants. The final elite field will be announced at our 40 days to go event.

2000 Free Entries and Uniting African Champions

For the second consecutive year, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has awarded over 2000 free marathon entries to those unable to afford them, reinforcing our commitment to unity and inclusivity in the running community. By offering these free entries, we aim to eliminate barriers that may prevent dedicated athletes from participating.

Karl Socikwa, Group Executive: Market Development and Sustainability at Sanlam, remarked, “This race perfectly encapsulates Sanlam’s north star to empower all Africans to live a life of confidence while uniting African Champions. In line with our deep commitment to serve the communities we serve, we are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with CANSA, which spans a period of 46 years. Our campaign which encourages runners to run for a worthy cause while also highlight the importance of cancer awareness and education, will launch in October, coinciding with Breast Cancer Awareness Month”

“In addition, our partnership with FlySafair offers runners from across the country a chance to win free flights and entries to this world-class marathon, encouraging participation in this historic event that celebrates the beauty and diversity of Cape Town. We want to give as many Africans as possible the opportunity to experience the continent’s first Abbott World Marathon Majors Candidate Race, and to create meaningful impact and foster inclusivity” adds Socikwa.

Run for Africa and Cape Town Marathon Adizero Boston 12

Kate Woods, Senior Brand Director at adidas South Africa, commented, “At adidas, we are thrilled to be part of the journey to make the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon a World Marathon Major. Our commitment is reflected in various initiatives designed to enhance the experience for all participants and support the growth of this iconic event. Last month, we launched the African-inspired exclusive Cape Town Marathon Adizero Boston 12 running shoe. Boston 12, our leading distance running shoe, is lightweight and fast with ENERGYRODS to propel runners forward. This special Cape Town Marathon edition will undoubtedly inspire and celebrate all runners competing in the event.

Our ‘Run For Africa’ campaign returns this year, rewarding runners who complete the 42.2km Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in adidas shoes with a R2000 adidas shopping voucher. Additionally, the recent launch of the adidas Runners Road to Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 12-week training plan is designed to help runners of all levels prepare and achieve their personal bests. Together, we are paving the way for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon to join the ranks of the world’s most prestigious marathons.”

New Partners for 2024: Delta, KLM, and NAMEDSPORT

We proudly welcome two new Airline Partners, Delta and KLM, who will assist in reducing costs associated with bringing our elite field to Cape Town. NAMEDSPORT has joined as the event’s Nutrition Partner, providing runners with pre-event nutrition in their Goodie Bags, on-route support, and finish line recovery. The support of these new partners will enhance the marathon experience for all participants, and elevate the event to new heights.

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is more than just a race; it is a celebration of athleticism, community, and global connection. With 80 days to go, we invite everyone to join us on this journey, whether as participants, spectators, or supporters. #YouDoCount towards bringing Africa her first Major!

For more information, please visit the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon website.

Media Contact: Renata Bossi, Head of Marketing – re****@***es.africa