Just weeks ago, over 24,000 runners were set to conquer the 2025 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon — until a sudden alert stopped them in their tracks. The race was canceled moments before the start due to safety concerns, leaving months of preparation undone. While organizers faced backlash for the abrupt call, they stood firm on one priority: athlete safety. Now, they’re looking to make amends with those who took the disappointment in stride. So, what’s their plan to win runners back? Let’s find out.

Before its cancellation, the Cape Town Marathon was on the brink of completing its second consecutive AbbottWMM evaluation, a key step toward joining the prestigious World Marathon Majors series. However, the unexpected cancellation brought that progress to a halt. In a remarkable show of support, title sponsor Sanlam has pledged to cover entries for 2026 and 2027 for all 2025 participants, while AbbottWMM has announced that all 2026 finishers will receive provisional stars.

Talking to the media, the CEO of AbbotWMM, Dawna Stone, explained, “I would like to thank race director Clark Gardner and his team for their swift and brave actions under extreme pressure. I am also grateful to their sponsor, Sanlam, for standing by their runners. We look forward to being back in Cape Town in May next year to see both the runners and the race, get over that finish line.”

You might be wondering what the AbbottWMM medal is all about. Well, the Abbott World Marathon Majors is a prestigious championship series that brings together six of the world’s most iconic marathons. It’s where the planet’s best distance runners, including wheelchair athletes, go head-to-head for ultimate glory. Each race earns them crucial points, and over two years, only the top scorers rise to claim the coveted title of AbbottWMM Champion.

CEO of Faces, the organizers behind the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, Clark Gardner, stepped forward to shed light on the decision, emphasizing the bigger picture.

He stated, “It’s a significant step toward becoming Africa’s first Major, and we can’t wait to celebrate that collective victory with our incredible running community who’ve backed us every step of the way. Ballot entries open on November 6 for the 2026 race on May 24, and we look forward to welcoming runners back to Cape Town for what promises to be a historic occasion for the African continent.”

Clark Gardner, CEO of Faces, called it “a significant step toward becoming Africa’s first Major,” referring to the Cape Town Marathon’s ongoing Abbott World Marathon Majors evaluation, which began in 2022 and continues despite the 2025 cancellation. Supported by title sponsor Sanlam and the global running community, the event is determined to move forward. The 2026 edition, set for May 24, is expected to be a decisive moment in Africa’s bid to join the elite circle of world marathons.

If Cape Town clears its final evaluation, it will officially become part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors — making history as the first African race to achieve that milestone. In that case, the provisional stars awarded to 2026 finishers will turn into officially recognized honors. Despite the disappointment of 2025, organizers and sponsors are channeling their efforts into ensuring the 2026 race delivers a triumphant comeback.

Disappointment over Cape Town Marathon’s no-refund policy

Heartbroken by the sudden cancellation of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, organizers have remained tight-lipped about the financial fallout from the 11th-hour decision. “We are not thinking of money right now. Our team is devastated,” said media manager Renata Bossi on Sunday morning, just hours after the event was called off.

Despite the emotional toll, the marathon’s no-refund policy remains in place, meaning runners will not receive entry fee refunds or compensation for travel and accommodation expenses. “As per the entry conditions on the entry form and website, we regret that our no-refunds policy stands following the cancellation of the event, and unfortunately, 2025 entries will not be carried over to 2026,” said the authorities.

The decision has sparked disappointment and frustration among participants. Athlone runner Rowan Abrahams, who was set for his second marathon, voiced his dismay. “It is very disappointing. One would have thought the least they could have done was a refund, or at least allow this entry to go to 2026. I heard they are moving the race to April, so it feels unfair that they won’t even allow this.” Abrahams joined fellow runners along the Southern Suburbs route, saying, “It wasn’t even that windy.” Many others shared his confusion and frustration over the no-refund stance.

To put this backlash into perspective, similar controversies have unfolded on the world stage. When the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainty around refunds left millions of ticket holders in limbo, echoing the frustration of Cape Town’s runners. As reported by Newsweek, ticket holders were unsure whether their purchases would remain valid or be refunded. In the U.S., buyers who went through CoSport were told they would not be reimbursed for the 20% handling fee, sparking public criticism.

The Tokyo case also raised legal questions around athlete qualification, participation rights, and refund obligations. Financially, the IOC faced skyrocketing cancellation insurance costs, highlighting how even the world’s most organized sporting bodies struggle to balance safety, fairness, and financial realities when events are disrupted.

For Cape Town’s runners, the situation feels no different. Many had invested months of training and significant travel expenses, only to be left without recourse. Yet despite the backlash, organizers remain resolute in their stance. The 2025 race may have ended in disappointment, but for thousands of runners, the debate over accountability and fairness is far from over. What are your thoughts on this? Share them in the comments below.