Welcome
RENEE JORDAAN Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Race Director
After a challenging 20 months , it is our privilege to welcome you to the 2021 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon !
It feels fantastic to be able to stage a marathon in its traditional format in Cape Town once again , and it is a great honour to be the first mass participation road running event to be able to do so .
Our COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Plan formed the backbone of our ability to return to the road , and I would like to thank Athletics South Africa and the Department of Sport , Arts and Culture for supporting our efforts .
This journey would not have been possible without the dedication of the extended organising team , the generous support of our sponsors and partners , or the confidence of our stakeholders who embraced our COVID plans , trusted us , and shared our belief that we are ready to host a safe and responsible event in the current climate .
While the event may look a little different this year - with a reduced marathon field and virtual Peace Runs - you will still feel the same spirit and passion during the course of Race Week and on Race Day , and our refreshment point crews are ready to cheer you on with ample supporting energy and gees from start to finish .
Whether you will be enjoying the Virtual Peace Runs , heading to the mountain on our Trail Runs , or soaking up the sights and sounds of Cape Town in the Marathon , I wish you the best of luck for this coming weekend .
LIONEL KLASSEN Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Chairman
Hosting a mass-participation sporting event in a normal year is already a significant challenge . Staging one in an ongoing pandemic with fluctuating Alert levels and much uncertainty is an interesting experience indeed .
That is why I am grateful for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon ’ s organising team . They are resilient , resourceful , always innovative , and unafraid to sail into uncharted waters .
It is their foresight that saw the creation of the COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Plan that enabled us to stage the 2021 event . And it is their ongoing passion and professionalism that saw us earn one of the greatest feathers in our cap : Being confirmed as an Abbott World Marathon Majors candidate event , with the hope to become a Marathon Major in 2025 .
If teamwork , fearlessness , enthusiasm , innovation , and the knowledge that we serve the running community at large are the essential ingredients for a great event , I believe we have a winning recipe .
My best wishes go to every single participant - in Cape Town and virtually - this coming weekend . And my sincere thanks go to all our sponsors , partners and stakeholders .
I am grateful that you are a part of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon family .
Let ’ s celebrate the return of running to the Mother City , together !
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