Cape Town hosts in-person marathon this weekend
Steyn looks for first win on home soil
The Mother City is preparing to roll out the welcome mat for the second weekend in a row as the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon returns to the streets and mountain trails on Sunday, 17 October.
Organisers have confirmed they are ready to host the country’s first marathon since 2020 in accordance with Covid-19 Risk Mitigation Plan.
An anticipated 9 000 marathon runners and 1 000 trail runners will line up to compete over the weekend.
There are also more than 5 000 local and international participants expected to take on the 5km, 10km and 21km virtual
Peace Runs, which runners can enter until 15 October.
In the elite camp, Stephen Mokaka is aiming to make it two wins from two starts at the Sanlam Cape Town
Marathon, while Gerda Steyn is looking for a victory in her marathon debut on South African soil.
But the two South Africans will face some stiff opposition on race day.
Mokoka can expect challenges from the likes of Ethiopia’s Belachew Amato (2:07.55 – the second fastest in the field behind Mokoka), Kenya’s Daniel Mututi (runner-up in the 2019 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon – 2:09.25) and Emmanuel Oliaulo Ngatuny (2:08.22).
Steyn has some impressive company, facing five athletes who have run faster than 2:29 in similar competitions. Fastest in the field is Kenya’s Lucy Karimi with her 2:24.24 (3rd Geneva Marathon, 2021).
Jam-packed race weekend
Race Week will kick off with the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Registration and Expo at DHL Cape Town Stadium on Friday, 15 and Saturday, 16 October.
Participants will undergo their Covid-19 rapid antigen tests, collect race packs and indulge in some last-minute pre-race shopping.
Trail runners will line up at the start of the 46km and 22km trails on Saturday, with virtual Peace Run competitors participating on the same day. The marathon takes centre stage on Sunday.
A comprehensive Risk Mitigation Plan presented to stakeholders at the highest levels has earned race organisers the green light from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, and the City of Cape Town to host the event this year.
Amendments include a reduced marathon field, compulsory antigen tests prior to registration, and a staggered race start with small groups.
For more information visit www.capetownmarathon.com.
