Worldwide scramble as the deadline for Cape Town’s virtual marathon looms.

A last-minute scramble to secure entries for the Sanlam Cape Town Virtual Marathon next Sunday (October 18) was underway as the deadline approached, according to organisers on Thursday (October 8).

Runners still wanting to ensure a unique “Cape” running experience anywhere in the world had less than 80 hours to enter, with online entries scheduled to be cut off at midnight on Sunday (October 11).

Thousands of athletes around the world will be running the race, guided and entertained by the unique Sanlam Cape Town Virtual Marathon App, specially designed for the event.  Runners choose their own route, whether 5km, 10km, 21 km or the full marathon, and the App will keep them attuned to the sounds and ambience of the “Mother City” as they run.

Runners will be seen all over the world sporting their unique Cape Town Marathon race numbers as they enjoy the benefits of running an international Gold Label event without the travel-induced stress which is usually associated with such events.

“I’m so proud of our organisers,” said Mariska Oosthuizen, Brand Manager for Sanlam, at the ten-days-to-go virtual media launch today. “They have moved mountains to turn a spectacular live event into a spectacular virtual one.  It will be a fully immersive experience, from the lighting of the Peace Torch and singing of the anthem at the start to the blue carpet at the finish.

“It’s easy to be a good partner in the good times, but we are also here for when the going gets tough. We’re here for the long haul.

“And more than ever before, this year provides the perfect chance to run for something – to run to make an impact. We have been proud to partner again with the Cancer Association of South Africa – CANSA – as our key beneficiary, but each runner will have his or her own cause for which they are running.

“Two thousand of our staff will be taking part in the marathon throughout the continent,” Oosthuizen continued. ”Our Exco have an important strategic break-away on the weekend, but they will all be running on the Sunday morning with their partners.”

Alderman JP Smith, the City of Cape Town’s Mayco Member for Safety and Security, emphasised the importance of the big events to the City. “We are very proud of our ‘Big Eight’ major events,” Ald Smith commented.

“They are worth R8 billion to the economy and provide 20 000 jobs.  COVID has hit them badly, but I am super happy that Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has found a way around COVID and a way to get Cape Town to the world.

“For myself, I will likely stick to paragliding and the role of a cheering spectator next Sunday and wish every participant a top experience and run.”

Celebrities have signed up in droves.  Ntando Mahlangu, South Africa’s silver medallist at the Rio Para Olympics in the 200m, and winner of the world 200m T61 title at the World Para-Athletics Championships in Dubai last year, has challenged all elite sportsmen and women to match him in the 5 km Run Run.

Running celebrities Mo Farah and Gerda Steyn are both racing the Peace 10km, with multiple Olympic gold medallist, Farah, inviting friends and rivals to join him virtually as he races in England, while Two Oceans and Comrades champion, Steyn, will be running her virtual 10 km over a fast course in Dubai, aiming for a competitive time just a week after running her best ever marathon in London.

A group of enthusiasts under the banner “MAD to Run” will be running in relay formation from Johannesburg to Cape Town, leaving this Saturday (10 October) and ending by running the virtual half marathon next Sunday.

Another group of athletes who came together in India and Nepal two years ago to run 100 miles in the Himalayas are uniting again, virtually, from all corners of the planet to run the Cape Town Marathon.

As with last week’s London Marathon, the Cape Town Marathon will include a competitive elite race with many of South Africa’s top road athletes in action on lap courses in one of three cities – Cape Town, Johannesburg and Potchefstroom – with live television coverage from the national broadcaster bringing the action together as one race.