With most of the world's marathons going down the virtual road, there is fierce competition to be the biggest, best, and/or the most innovative. Sanlam Cape Town Virtual Marathon, on Sunday 18 October 2020, is right up there on all fronts.

As soon as the traditional race was cancelled due to COVID-19, detailed planning commenced and while participants may miss out on the excitement, spectacle and celebration normally offered by the event, the virtual race promises to take the iconic elements of Cape Town’s marathon to its global participant base through the race’s custom-built, feature-packed app.   

Sanlam Cape Town Marathon race director, Renee Jordaan said: “This year, runners from across the globe can experience the magic of Sanlam Cape Town Marathon without having to travel, while the dynamic surround sound feature within the app will allow participants to listen to the unique sounds of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon route while treading the familiar ground of their chosen race route.”

One unique feature for South African athletes is the provision of 15 fully stocked and strategically placed 'water tables' – including food, sweets, and energy bars – at selected Woolworths stores across the country. This is the same much-loved brand that originated in Australia – famous for its Pick 'n Mix sweet stalls – which closed all of its 807 stores in 2009 in the UK.

Sanlam Cape Town Marathon chairman, Francois Pienaar, added the news that Sir Mo Farah will be supporting the event: “I am thrilled to confirm that world champ, multiple Olympian, gold medallist and world record holder, Sir Mo Farah, will race in the 10K Virtual Peace Run in the UK. His participation is a huge boost for the virtual race and shows that anyone can run the Sanlam Cape Town Virtual Marathon, no matter where you are.”

Cape Town Virtual Marathon also includes virtual options at 5K, 10K and half marathon, so there’s a race for every fitness level and no reason not to get off the couch, join Mo Farah and participate.    

“This is gearing up to be an exciting international virtual event,” added Jordaan. “Runners around the world are desperate to rekindle that deep sense of community and solidarity that a running race provides. We, therefore, encourage everyone to challenge themselves, their families and friends to be a part of the Sanlam Cape Town Virtual Marathon – no matter where they are in the world – to restore those lost connections, run for something, and be a part of a race like no other.” 

Sanlam Cape Town Virtual Marathon entries are now open and available here 

Promotional image courtesy Sanlam Cape Town Marathon website