Disappointment over 2025 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon's enforcement of no-refund policy

Shattered Sanlam Cape Town organisers said they had no comment on costs lost with the 11th hour cancellation of the marathon.

"We are not thinking of money right now. Our team is devastated," media manager Renata Bossi said this morning hours after the marathon was cancelled..

The marathon, however, has has a 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).

"Äs per the entry conditions on the entry form and website, we regret that our no refunds policy stands following te cancellation of the event and unfortunatley 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. 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".

He says other runners were confused by the no-refund policy. "Lots of people spent a lot of money to be here."

There were tears and a lot of sadness this morning from both participants and organisers, when the organisers made the call to cancel the event due to strong winds. "Our team is devastated but the safety of our runners and the entire team working on the event comes first," said Bossi.

But it was the South Africa gees that shocked them the most.

"We are amazed by the support and understanding of particpants," said Bossi.

It is hard to have to disappoint over 24 000 runners from across the globe who came for the  2025 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon - a 42.195km route around the city.

But the vibe was amazing across the city as people started running and singing and chanting.

Disappointed but not broken, is how one runner described it.

Independent Newspaper's Armand Hough said participants who arrived at the Cape Town Stadium were met not with the usual pre-race buzz but with disbelief and tears.

“Some runners sang struggle songs, while others embraced in silence. One woman drove past me, crying behind her steering wheel."

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.

"Cape Town is committed to hosting events of the highest global standards, and that includes sometimes managing difficult calls like this," said Hill-Lewis.

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."

Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport in the Western Cape Government, Ricardo Mackenzie said: "We are deeply disappointed that the 2025 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has been cancelled due to severe weather conditions.

"This decision was not taken lightly and follows careful consideration with safety authorities and organises the safety... volunteer spectator must always come first as someone was preparing to run this year, I (understand) the sadness that many are feeling but the spirit of this marathon has never been just about one day.

"It's about the journey the training the community and the shared commitment to healthier more active lives. I want to encourage all athletes supporters and residence across the Western Cape to keep that spirit alive keep moving. Keep training, joining your local clubs, take part in community runs and stay active."