80 days to go as Cape Town Marathon sends strong message of inclusivity and access to all

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon broke new ground at their ‘80 days to go’ launch on Thursday (27 July) with its announcement that they had doubled the number of free entries allocated to runners who could not afford the entry fee.

It is now apparent that 2000 of the anticipated 15 000 starters of Africa’s top marathon will be allocated to runners who find themselves physically fit but financially challenged. “We are on track to reach our target of 15 000 runners for the marathon in two weeks’ time,” said Sanlam Cape Town Marathon (SCTM) CEO, Clark Gardner, at the launch.

Inclusivity and community spirit were powerful themes at the 80 day launch of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. Photo – Stephen Granger

Gardner conceded that economic times have been tough. “Because of this, we announced the provision of one thousand free entries earlier this year,” he explained. “We just asked that runners motivate their entry and explain why  they could not afford the entry.

“We were overwhelmed by the many motivations,” Gardner continued. “So we went to Sanlam and asked them to double the number.  Today we can announce that there will be no fewer than 2000 free entries available.”

One runner who has benefitted is 62-year-old Glenville Kinnes, who has many years of marathons in his legs but has fallen on hard times. He is delighted at the opportunity to rediscover his passion for road running.

Kinnes spent his early years living with his granny in Silvertown, near Athlone. He returned home at the age of seven to live with his mother in Mannenberg. Throughout his life, he faced various challenges, but one constant remained – his love for running.

Glenville Kinnes now and then – a free entry to SCTM has rekindled his passion for life and running. Photo – courtesy Sanlam

During Kinnes’ school days he competed in 800-metre races on the track, chasing short-distance PBs and challenging his friends. After graduating, his passion for running matured and evolved into a love for long-endurance races. This led him to join the Stragglers Running Club in 1996.

The turning point in Kinnes’ running career came in the same year when he ran his first marathon, the Durbanville Marathon, after which he completed a number of marathons and ultra-marathons, including the Two Oceans and Comrades Ultra-marathons.

He conquered the Foot of African Marathon in Bredasdorp in 1999 and achieved his personal best in the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in 2001, finishing in an impressive 3 hours and 20 minutes. 

Kinnes worked for the City of Cape Town in various capacities but has been unemployed since 2018 and currently resides at the Green Point Shelter. But receiving an entry into the SCTM has, re-ignited his passion for running marathons and, despite his circumstances, has given him new hope as he prepares for the big race in October.

 Karl Socikwa – confirming Sanlam’s support for inclusivity and access for all at SCTM. Photo – Stephen Granger

1999 other runners will share Kinnes’ joy in being able to take part in the SCTM this year, but Karl Socikwa, Sanlam’s Chief Executive: Market Development and Sustainability, says they would like to do even more.

“We want to provide access to our race to as wide a section of people as possible,” said Socikwa. “We recognise that entry fees and travel costs are a problem for many, so we have taken it upon ourselves to provide free entries for this year’s race. And we challenge other corporates to also contribute. This is just a start, and we hope to do more in the future.”

Sanlam’s commitment to Cape Town Marathon goes beyond providing much needed financial resources for the event. It’s also about promoting healthy lifestyles within their own company, said Socikwa.

“Last year we were proud that 1500 runners from Sanlam took part in the Cape Town Marathon. This year we are targeting 2000 of our staff from thirty countries in Africa to participate.”

SCTM CEO Clark Gardner – strong support for runners of the future. Photo – Stephen Granger

While SCTM’s support for current runners is gratifying, Gardner emphasized the importance of also supporting future runners. “We see this as an important element in our planning,” said Gardner. “We are supporting Good Hope Seminary Junior School with their facilities, their teachers and their food garden and we are building towards developing better runners and a stronger future South Africa.”

Charity outreach under the event’s ‘Run for Good’ programme is another area of SCTM which has grown each year. “London Marathon is a charity event on steroids,” Sicikwa reflected of his visit to the event in April. “They have raised over a billion pounds sterling since the inception of the race. We witnessed several charity activations along route and felt inspired to redouble our charity work in Cape Town.”

Four primary charities are supported by SCTM, with nutrition, health and the development of running being the most important themes.

Endurocad’s Nolene Conrad – completed her debut marathon at Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. Endurocad is one of four beneficiaries of the SCTM Run for Good programme. Photo – Stephen Granger

The Peninsula School Feeding Association, which provides over 27 000 learners with daily meals, the Cancer Association of South Africa, which provides education, care and support to those affected by cancer, Endurocad, which supports athletes at all levels through education, expert guidance and optimal training environments and Western Province Athletics in its quest to develop athletes from grassroots to the highest levels of excellence.