Africa’s GOLD, as Africa’s only IAAF Gold Label status marathon, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon

Cape Town, 3 September 2019 – In little under two weeks’ time, on Sunday 15 September, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon will take place in the Mother City, with more than 26 000 local and international runners taking part in an event that’s fast becoming known as Africa’s “must-run” city marathon.

Olympic long-distance runner Elana van Zyl-Meyer, ambassador for the marathon, knows from personal experience what goes into preparation for an undertaking of this kind, and how important spectators are on the big day. “A marathon is a long personal journey. For some of us it takes sheer will and guts, while for others it’s a relative breeze. But either way, there’s nothing more energising and comforting than when you see a group of supporters cheer you on from the sidelines – it’s pure joy.”

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is Africa’s only IAAF Gold Label-status city marathon, meaning that the International Association of Athletics Federations designates it as one of the leading road races in the world. This year the organisers are pulling out all the stops to make sidelines magic, which is not only a prerequisite for the event to better its IAAF classification to Platinum, but also a reason for locals to come out and cheer on the athletes in Cape Town’s stunning springtime weather. Spectator zones have been set up along the 42.2km marathon route, giving supporters frontline views of the course action as well as an opportunity to enjoy live music and dance, and suppo. Some of the zones are co-hosted by local charities involved with this year’s event.

The zones can be found at Sea Point Swimming Pool (4km mark); City Hall and the Grand Parade (13.8km); Victoria Road in Woodstock (16.5km); Pick n Pay Centre in Main Road, Observatory (18.7km); Rondebosch Main Road (20.8km); at the entrance to Groote Schuur on Newlands Main Road (21.1km); Newlands swimming pool arena (22.4km); opposite Newlands Cricket Grounds (23.4km); Campground Road/Sandown Road (25.7km); Rondebosch Common at Park Road (28.5km); Rondebosch Common opposite the Red Cross Children’s Hospital (29.7km); Rondebosch Common near Rustenburg Girls’ High School (30.8km); Liesbeek Parkway at Durban Road (32.6km); Liesbeek Parkway opposite Hartleyvale Stadium (33.7km); Salt River Circle and the Biscuit Mill (36km); the Good Hope Centre on Strand Street (38.7km); the Prestwich Museum area on Bree Street (40km); the Fan Walk on Somerset Road (41km); and Vlei Road in Green Point (finish).

“Typically of big-city marathons around the world, some supporters get dressed up in crazy outfits to spur on family members or friends who’re running. Catching attention is the aim, and it works!” says Van Zyl-Meyer.

This year Sanlam has upped the prize values of its highly popular Gees Competition, which debuted at last year’s event. With a chance to win a share of R250 000, individual supporters, club members and charities are challenged to take part by dressing up, downloading an official fan bib from the marathon page on Sanlam’s website and wearing it as a bib on race day, then taking a selfie and sharing it to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using #SCTMgees and tagging @ctmarathon. Winners are chosen at the end of the marathon weekend, with clubs and charities in line for cash prizes ranging from R5 000 to R50 000, and 20 spot prizes of R2 000 each for individuals.

The marathon is fast becoming a platform to bring attention to various social issues affecting communities in and around Cape Town. This year, over 50 charities will be represented and involved in the event, with many runners dressed in outfits appropriate for shining a light on a cause and charity about which they’re deeply passionate. For example, the five-runner sausage-dog suit will once again be featured for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA; sports academy Endurocad will feature runners dressed as comic-book superheroes; and participants with sapling trees strapped to their backs will be bringing attention to the Township Farmers’ #runninggreen campaign.

“Cumulatively, we hope to raise in excess of R3 million for charities across the Western Cape,” says Van Zyl-Meyer. “We’re a nation of doers and supporters, and I absolutely believe we can do it.”

The event will be televised live on SABC2 from 06h30 and will be live-streamed on the marathon website www.capetownmarathon.com

Africa is my home, this is my race. It’s Cape Town, must run it!

#Run4Change
#ChallengeYourself; #ChallengeYourFriend; #CaptainsChallenge

#ctmarathon2019

For media enquiries, please contact:

CRAIG DUMMETT

PR for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon

021-418-2466

082-072-4103

craig@transformmarketing.co.za

ABOUT THE SANLAM CAPE TOWN MARATHON

Africa’s GOLD, as Africa’s only IAAF Gold Label status marathon, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is an exhilarating festival of running that brings together runners, elite athletes, social joggers and surrounding communities to enjoy a spring weekend of running through Africa’s spectacularly beautiful Mother City.

The classic Olympian 42.2km marathon takes centre stage on the Sunday, which follows a 10km Peace Run in the morning, and two Peace Trail Runs (12km and 22km) and a 5km Peace Run/ Walk on the Saturday.

As Africa’s “must run” iconic city marathon, it aims to facilitate and leverage change at a national level through its Run4Change Legacy Programme, comprising five pillars:

• To focus on HEALTH and WELLNESS
• To become one of the biggest FUNDRAISING sporting events in South Africa
• To promote PEACE and SPORT
• To be a SUSTAINABLE event
• To DEVELOP and EMPOWER South African Athletes

Managed by a joint partnership through Western Province Athletics (WPA), ASEM Running and the City of Cape Town, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, to be held in September, is endorsed by Elana Van Zyl-Meyer and Francois Pienaar.

It offers a competitive yet beautiful route, providing runners with a unique experience that highlights the city’s natural splendor and top cultural attractions. The field is inclusive of the world’s elite athletes, club and non-club runners, casual joggers, social runners and walkers. Athletes and spectators can enjoy Cape Town’s unique festive atmosphere at safe, fun supporter zones along the route, and at the finish in Green Point.

Twitter and Instagram:  @CTMarathon and ctmarathon

#ctmarathon2019

#CaptainsChallenge

#run4change

#citymarathon

ABOUT SANLAM GROUP

 Sanlam is a pan-African financial services group listed on the Johannesburg, Namibian and A2X stock exchanges. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Personal Finance, Sanlam Pan Africa, Sanlam Investments, Sanlam Corporate and Santam – the Group provides comprehensive and bespoke financial solutions to institutional clients and consumers across all market segments. Sanlam’s areas of expertise include insurance (life and general), financial planning, retirement, investments and wealth. Established in 1918 as a life insurance company, Sanlam has become the largest non-banking financial services group in Africa, through its diversification strategy. Headquartered in South Africa, Sanlam has a direct stake in financial services entities in Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Mauritius, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria. It also owns SAHAM Finances Group, thereby having a footprint of insurance operations in Morocco, Angola, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, Niger, Mali, Senegal, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Cote D’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Burundi, and Lesotho, making it the largest non-banking financial services group in Africa. Sanlam also has exposure to insurance businesses in India, Malaysia and the United Kingdom and has business interests in the USA, Australia, the Philippines, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. For further information, visit www.sanlam.com or follow us @sanlam.