Mo Farah confirmed to race Cape Town Marathon 10km Virtual Peace Run

Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Chairman, Francois Pienaar made this announcement yesterday 9 July 2020, “I am thrilled to confirm that World Champ, Multiple Olympian and Gold Medallist, Sir Mo Farah, will race in the 10km 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.”

Africa Marathons, Cape Town Marathon race organisers and running enthusiasts are getting ready for a race with a difference, as the 100-day countdown to the Sanlam Cape Town Virtual Marathon commences today 10 July 2020.

Run the Cape Marathon Virtual Race from wherever you are

Much has happened since the launch of the virtual event and subsequent cancellation of the traditional race due to COVID-19. And while Sanlam Cape Town Marathon participants may miss out on the spectacle and celebration offered by the road event, the virtual race promises to take all the iconic elements of Cape Town’s favourite marathon to its global participant base through the race’s custom-built and feature-packed app.

“The challenges of 2020 became the catalyst for  innovation, and we are 100 days away from hosting a virtual race the world hasn’t seen before,” says Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Race Director, Renee Jordaan.

You can still experience the magic of Cape Town and the marathon vibe

Jordaan added, “This year, runners from across the globe can experience the magic of the 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.”

Francois Pienaar – Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Chairman

Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Chairman, Francois Pienaar, adds that it is a privilege to host the first virtual race of its kind in the world.  “We are already in the spotlight as the only race on the African continent to enjoy the prestigious World Athletics Gold Label Status, so I am really proud that the world’s first truly immersive virtual marathon comes from South Africa and Africa.”

Sanlam – The Cape Town Marathon headline sponsor

Sydney Mbhele, Chief Executive of Brand at Sanlam, says, “We are extremely proud to be sponsoring a first-of-its-kind virtual marathon that encourages people everywhere to ‘Run for Something’. This desire to stand for something, do good and make a tangible difference is part of Sanlam’s DNA. As a pan-African business, it’s encapsulated by our mission to invest in potential and foster positive financial futures across Africa for generations to come. To launch our Run for Something campaign, we’re donating R100,000 to CANSA and we’re rallying 5,000 Sanlam staff to run for CANSA on race day, globally. We urge others to join us. Let’s try and raise as much as possible for this vital NPO. Together, we can have a massive impact.

Cape Town Virtual Marathon – 18 October 2020

The Sanlam Cape Town Virtual Marathon, which also includes the 5km and 10km Peace Runs and newly-added half marathon, takes place on 18 October 2020. 

South African participants will be in for a treat on Race Day with the addition of 15 fully stocked water tables – including food, sweets and energy bars – at selected Woolworths stores across the country. The exact locations and safety protocols of these water tables will be released in the coming weeks to assist runners with their virtual race route planning.

Top runners also expected

Meanwhile, talks are also underway to have some of South Africa’s top male and female runners participate in the virtual marathon. This lineup will be confirmed shortly.

“This is gearing up to be an exciting international virtual event,” notes 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.”

How will the Cape Town Marathon Virtual Race & App work?

The Sanlam Cape Town Virtual Marathon enables athletes from across the globe to be a part of the iconic city marathon on 18 October 2020, by running their choice of the 42.2km marathon, 21.1km half marathon or the 5km / 10km Peace Run.

Through combining cutting-edge technology, advanced GPS tracking features, and dynamic 3D surround sound within the Virtual Marathon App, participants get to enjoy the full Sanlam Cape Town Marathon race experience, no matter where they are in the world – from the start line ceremony, the lighting of the Peace Torch and the promenade sounds of seagulls and crashing ocean waves, to the local crowds and Cape minstrels cheering them on. 

Runners’ race experience will be further enhanced by real-time tracking of their own run, while they are also informed of their virtual progress along the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon route. And as the race will be run in athletes’ local time zone, participants will be able to challenge their mates elsewhere in the world while they wait for their own race to start.

This is the new face of virtual racing – a world first, coming from the heart of the Mother City and African Continent.

Join Team Africa Marathons on the 18^th of October 2020 as we run this epic virtual event all over the world together.