Runners heartbroken after Cape Town Marathon cancelled at the last minute

Marathon runners have expressed their disappointment at the cancellation of the Cape Town Marathon.

Organisers of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon cancelled today’s event due to safety concerns.

Luvuyo Siwundla from Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape is among thousands of athletes who travelled from afar to participate in the main race.

They had already gathered in the city centre when the news broke.

The event organisers said the race will return next year.

Siwundla said it was heartbreaking to find out about the cancellation at the last minute.

“This is so heartbreaking, man, to be told on the hour that the race is cancelled. I mean, besides the training and being disappointed, we’ve travelled. I’ve travelled from PE, and that’s money we’ve paid. We’ve paid for accommodation and now are they going to refund us for the accommodation and flight bookings?”

Marathon hopeful Ben Bridges, who flew to Cape Town with his wife to participate, said they were very sad about the turn of events.

“Dream over before it started. We are standing here at our hotel, and we just got a WhatsApp notification saying that the Cape Town Marathon is cancelled.”

Another runner, Estelle, said she was at a loss for what to do this morning.

“We are so sad. And now the wind has dropped… should we hang around here, or should we all go back to our places?”

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