CAPE TOWN – Last month’s Sanlam Cape Town Marathon exceeded its intended target of raising funds for charities both locally and nationally, as the race earned over R1.3 million.
Since it’s relaunch in 2014, the Cape Town Marathon has grown in stature every year.
Awarded Gold Label Status in 2017 – Africa’s only IAAF Gold Label Marathon has seen some of the fastest times recorded in South Africa, with this year proving no exception.
Men’s champion Stephen Mokoka produced a superb record time of 2:08.31, which was 10 seconds faster than the previous record of Ethiopian Asefa Negewu.
Women’s winner Helalia Johannes of Namibia also set a new race mark of 2:29.28. “This has exceeded our wildest expectations,” said race director Janet Welham.
“In 2017, we raised R1.3 million and are confident we have exceeded last year’s amount this year.
“The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, as Africa’s only IAAF Gold Label Marathon, attracts some of the world’s best athletes, and we are immensely proud of that. But it is not only about those who set records.
“It is about all 22 800-plus runners who took part in this year’s event, many of whom made use of this event to help and uplift society in so many areas.
“To have raised so much is something of which we are enormously grateful for and thrilled that through this race, we can make a difference in people’s lives.”