Publications
Partners
Cape Town - The 2015 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon will be held over the weekend of September 19-20, 2015. Entries will open from Sunday, March 1, 2015.
The organisers made the announcement at a media conference on Tuesday given by the organisers and headline sponsor, Sanlam. The media briefing also announced that the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has been awarded the coveted Silver Label status by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) - the first marathon on the continent to be awarded this classification.
The IAAF made the decision to award the Silver Label status just six months after financial services group Sanlam became the official headline sponsor, in partnership with Western Province Athletics (WPA), ASEM Running and the City of Cape Town.
“The bar has certainly been raised quite high and as we launch this year’s event, the organisers have set yet another challenge – the IAAF’s Gold Label status for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. We are confident that this will also be achieved in no time,” said Carl Roothman, Chief Executive: Retail, Sanlam Investments speaking at the media briefing.
A significant milestone has already been reached towards the achievement of the Gold Label status. The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is one of the first sporting events in South Africa to be declared carbon neutral. Sanlam has played a pivotal role in this process through the purchase of carbon credits traded on a JSE platform using existing commercial and financial infrastructure. The platform and the carbon offset trading were showcased for market readiness at the JSE in January.
Additionally, Africa’s largest vitamins and nutritional supplements brand, Vital Health Foods has been appointed developmental partner for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon to help assist with the development of the sport in South Africa. Technical partner Asics, along with Sanlam, will sponsor a trip for two people to take part in the 2016 Paris Marathon, as a prized reward for a lucky entrant wanting to experience what the essence of a world-class Gold Label status marathon is.
Marathon brand ambassador Elana Meyer, added: “The Silver Label status puts the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on the race calendar for the top tier international runners in 2015. We are excited to be planning a spectator orientated event over the Heritage Day weekend.”
Last year’s event in September drew over 12 500 athletes, 5 000 more runners than the previous year. It was won by Kenyan Willy Kibor Koitile in a time of 2:10:45.
“Sanlam is pleased to sponsor an event that places Cape Town on the global stage alongside cities such as Boston, New York and London. As a diversified financial services player with an extensive footprint into Africa, we take pride in creating an opportunity for African athletes to compete in a global event on the continent,” said Yegs Ramiah, Chief Executive: Sanlam Brand in a statement.
Ramiah concluded: “We believe the sport of running is easily accessible and within everyone’s means and by its very nature requires determination, dedication and the belief that a lot can come from very little.
“Just like wealth creation, a craft that we as a company are more familiar with, the sport of running is a journey without an end, the joy and value of which are unqualified. We truly believe that an event such as this will have a real and positive influence by enabling people to live their best possible lives,” she said.
Information about the route:
Sanlam Cape Town Marathon brings together a range of runners, from social joggers to elite athletes in a festival of running through the streets of the Mother City. Last year’s event attracted more than 12 500 runners from 53 countries, including 29 elite runners. Organisers are hoping that this year’s event will draw over 20 000 entries across all events.
The classic 42.2km marathon takes centre-stage during an action-packed spring weekend that also includes a 10km Peace Run, a 4.2 km Community Fun Run, and a 22km and 11km Peace Trail run.
The marathon route has been designed to offer runners a view of the city’s natural and cultural attractions from the course.
The route takes runners past some of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, including the pristine Liesbeek River, the Rondebosch Common, the Newlands Cricket Grounds, Groote Schuur, the University of Cape Town, District Six, the Castle of Good Hope, the Cape Town City Hall, the Houses of Parliament, the City Gardens, St. Georges Cathedral, Greenmarket Square and the Nederduitse Kerk to mention but a few. The seven hour marathon cut-off time has been designed to accommodate slower runners.
The route reflects the diversity and heritage of Cape Town and is perfect for serious athletes and for first-timers who want to finish their inaugural marathon in the beautiful city environment of Cape Town.
The 42.2km Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is an official qualifying race for Old Mutual Two Oceans and Comrades Ultra-Marathons.
Race information and cut off times:
11km Peace Trail Run:
Start: 07:45, September 19, 2015
Route starts on Somerset Road and finishes at Green Point A Track
Cut-off time: 12:00
Entries limited to 500 runners
22km Peace Trail Run:
Start: 07:00, September 19, 2015
Route starts on Somerset Road and finishes at Green Point A Track
Cut off time: 12:00
Entries limited to 500 runners
4.2km Community Fun Run
Start: 10:00, September 19, 2015
Route starts and finishes at Green Point A Track
Cut off time: One hour
10km Peace Run
Start: 06:50, September 20, 2015
Route starts and finishes at Green Point A Track
Cut off time: Two hours
42.2km Sanlam Cape Town Marathon
Start: 07:00, September 20, 2015
Route starts and finishes at Green Point A track
Cut off time: Duration is seven hours
Entry closing date: September 5, 2015 or when the maximum entry limit has been reached. No late entries accepted.
Left to right: Francois Pienaar, Marathon brand ambassador; George
Grieve, CEO of Vital Health Foods & The Vital Foundation; Elana
Meyer, Marathon brand ambassador; Carl Roothman, Chief
Executive: Retail, Sanlam Investments (Supplied)
