Mokoka’s quest for fourth Sanlam Cape Town Marathon title will have to wait a little longer

RENOWNED road runner Stephen Mokoka’s quest for his fourth Sanlam Cape Town Marathon title will have to wait a little longer after Sunday’s race was cancelled due to windy weather conditions.  

The South African running legend was out to extend his record wins at the popular race, which is bidding to become the seventh race on the Abbott World Marathon Majors, following his victories in 2018, 2021, and 2022.

As he was preparing to go to the start, Mokoka received a WhatsApp message from the organisers informing him—and the other 24,000 runners who were excitedly looking forward to the event —that the 42.195km race was cancelled.

“I am still digesting this individually. But all I can say is that it is still a shock,” the multiple Olympian told the Independent Media. 

“I’ve not really dealt with it. It was the city that took the decision. I am sure it was not easy for the race directors and the volunteers, but if disaster management feels that it is not safe for us to be on the road, we cannot question that. So all I can say for now is that it is a shock. It is a decision that affects not just myself but everyone involved—from the JOC, the directors, volunteers, and even us runners, the people who have sacrificed so much to get to today. It is not easy.”

Mokoka’s teammate at Hollywood Athletics Club, local road running darling Gerda Steyn, had been looking forward to returning to the race for the first time since 2021.

“Of course I am really disappointed with the news of our favourite South African marathon being cancelled; it’s the last thing myself and the other 24,000 runners expected when we set our alarms for 2:30am to wake up and make our way to the start line,” she told Independent Media. 

“As runners, we have to accept and respect the decision by the organisers even though we feel disappointed.”

Thousands of the runners who received the cancellation message, already en route to the start line, still converged there and, typical of South Africans, voiced their frustrations through song, dance, and a bit of a jog.

Steyn herself went out for a run too.

“I went out for a run, and the atmosphere was lively. Everyone was running in their race numbers—and so did I—cheering each other on and sharing positive vibes. The cancellation of the race won’t kill our spirit, and it won’t make us lose focus. We will get ready for the next start line.”

Rise Mzansi MP Magashule Gana said he was looking forward to earning his Comrades qualifiers prior to the end of the year as he always does, but was disappointed that he now has to find yet another race.

“I was on my way to the start when the message came in, and at first I did not believe it and kept going. But then I met other runners who confirmed that indeed the race was cancelled. It is a bit of a blow, but there’s nothing we can do—we just have to find another qualifier.”

Title sponsor Sanlam announced that it will offer every 2025 marathon entrant a sponsored entry for either May 2026 or 2027. This offer will be extended to all 2025 marathon entrants, regardless of whether the race succeeds in its bid to become Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Majors event.

Sanlam Group CEO, Paul Hanratty, said: “We remain confident that the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is on course to become an Abbott World Marathon Majors race. Following the disappointment felt by the marathon runners today, we feel that we need to support all of those who were not able to take part in the race.”

Sanlam Cape Town Marathon chief executive Clark Gardner, said: "We once again apologise to all the disappointed entrants of today’s marathon, and will be making contact with all of them soon with more information about the sponsored entries for the 2026 or 2027 editions of the marathon.”

Cape Times