Sports streamer SPNAfrica.com to stream the Sanlam Virtual Cape Town Marathon across Africa

SPNAfrica.com, the sports streaming and video content platform linked to SPNAfrica news, will be streaming the Sanlam Cape Town Virtual Marathon, live, across Africa and around the world, on October 18, 2020. The streaming agreement was reached with the race organisers and host broadcaster, SABC Sport.

Barry Van Blerk, General Manager of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, said live streaming, which makes the event more accessible to race fans around the world, was icing on the cake for race organisers in
the exciting build-up to the race.

“We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved with the roll-out of the app, which ensures the virtual participation of runners around the world. Now, fans will be able to follow the runners, including three groups of elite runners in three cities, as well as those running virtually, as they run. This will be a novel experience for runners and viewers alike. Ensuring that live coverage is streamed around the world is the cherry on top for us.”

Sydney Mbhele, Chief Executive of Sanlam Brand explains that this year things will be done a little differently.

“Sanlam has been the headline sponsor of the marathon for seven years. For the first time ever, we’ll be running virtually in different parts of the world, but together, we can make it count. As Africa’s biggest non-banking financial services company, we believe in the potential of the people of this continent. Like us, SCTM has built a marathon for the people of Africa and having Africa’s top runners on the road on 18 October is testimony to this belief.

“Now, more than ever, we’re all seeking ways to inspire one another. It’s been phenomenal to see how people have pulled together during this pandemic. We invite all Africans to unite and tune in on Sunday to watch this exciting global event. On behalf of Sanlam, we wish all the runners and their supporters the very best on race day,” says Mbhele.

The marathon, which features a unique app sponsored by Sanlam and specially designed to provide a “Cape Town” ambience to runners competing virtually from across the world, is the only World Athletics Gold Standard event on the African continent. The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon was also one of the first marathons to announce it would go virtual after the worldwide coronavirus pandemic struck.

As with the London Marathon, the Cape Town Marathon includes a “real” elite component with South Africa’s leading marathoners racing simultaneously in three cities, Cape Town, Potchefstroom and Pretoria. A science-based altitude factor will be applied to those racing at altitude to ensure a level playing field for all.

The live stream will present action updates from all three centres as well as providing virtual run statistics and timings from South Africa and around the world. The high-quality, over-the-internet video “stream” is optimised for mobile devices as well as larger screens.

Sports Network Africa (SPNAfrica) looks forward to expanding the reach of the Cape Town Marathon and its partners by delivering to sports fans across Africa and around the world an exciting and unique media experience.