Cape Town Marathon 2011

This year’s Cape Town Marathon on Sunday 25 September will be used by some of the country’s top runners as one of the official qualifiers for the Olympics in London in 2012.

The marathon’s fast, flat route is expected to attract a quality field of runners from all over South African, but also offers other distances to suit both runners and walkers.  Entries are open and participants can either enter online or pick up an entry form from the Western Province Athletics (WPA) office or most sports stores in and around Cape Town.

This year will see the event finish in the Green Point Park and all participants will get a chance to experience this is stunning new facility just outside Cape Town Stadium.

The marathon is also a qualifier for the 2012 Comrades and Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon and offers participants a scenic route starting in Cape Town’s city centre and taking runners out to Rondebosch before looping back to the Green Point Park via Salt River, the Foreshore and the Sea Point Promenade.

The route provides the elite athletes with a chance to post a fast marathon time, while the generous eight hour cut-off allows first timers and walkers the chance to complete the distance with no pressure.  It also showcases the mountain, sea and all the major attractions Cape Town has to offer.

Said James Evans, president for WPA:  “We are delighted that the marathon has been selected by the IAAF as an Olympic qualifier as it raises the status of the event and attracts a quality field of runners.  Local runners will get the chance to run with some of our top stars and spectators will also be able to watch them in action.”

The marathon starts in Adderley Street at 06h30 and there is also a 10km starting at the same time, with a two hour cut-off, so walkers are also welcome as they have ample time to complete the event and earn their medal.

A 4.2km mini marathon will start at 07h45 and will be run on the last section of the marathon route.  It is aimed at athletes between the ages of 14 to 19 years and is not an open event as runners are required to qualify via several different methods, including their positions in the mini marathon league, at cross country races and various qualifying races.

The event also offers a 5km fun run the day before on Saturday 24 September starting at 16h30 at the Green Point Park.  A new addition to the event is the 5 x 4.2km relay event aimed at clubs, companies and schools.  This will also start and finish in the Park at 14h30.