I signed up for the 2021 edition of Sanlam Cape Town Marathon where the idea of physical events was just a thought. I just gave it a try as In 2019 I enjoyed the same event also 2020 had to settle for the virtual race which was not exciting as the physical race as this means I had to have proper planning including my water stops and emergency personnel which luckily I did my virtual run in close proximity with medical centres.
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Team had signed participants with free training session with coach Parry who advices runners based on the Personal Best they want to achieve on race day and daily gives training plan and a regular Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Training Webinar. The last session I attended was on :Monday, September 6th 2021 @ 8:00PM SAST
A month prior to the race I got communique from Sanlam Cape Town Marathon that I qoute:
“With the full support of Athletics South Africa and the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, we’ll officially be hosting one of 2021’s only mass sporting events, right here in the Mother City. The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, Cape Town Trail Marathon and 22km Trail event will be going ahead as planned. With our COVID-19 protocols in place, weāre confident that our events wonāt just be memorable, but safe too.
Siphiwe Billy, here are the things you need to know:
Entries close on 17 September
Our marathon entries are limited and capped at 10,000. Entries close on 17 September or when sold out. Donāt miss out ā sign up now.
COVID-19 Antigen testing
In order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmissions, all runners and crew will undergo COVID-19 Antigen testing 48 hours prior to the race.
ā¢ Testing will be free of charge, with the option to offer a contribution.
ā¢ Runners will be sent a direct communication to prebook their testing time slot.
ā¢ Testing will be compulsory and will be done at Cape Town Stadium.
ā¢ Runners will need to undergo the testing before entering the expo space and collecting race numbers.
ā¢ COVID-19 Antigen testing results will be available within 15 minutes.
21km Virtual Race Included
In addition to our 5km and 10km virtual races, we are now including a 21km virtual race too! Get your tekkies ready and weāll send you more info on that soon.
Marathon Staggered Start
ā¢ As part of our extensive COVID risk mitigation plans, weāre implementing staggered starts to allow ample space for social distancing.
ā¢ The staggered start will run from 06h15 until 06h50.
ā¢ Runners will be batched into groups of 300 and start one minute apart.
ā¢ Runners will be seeded based on past results, not limited to SCTM.
ā¢ Seeding will be done using FinishTime: the latest in cutting-edge sports timing technology.
ā¢ Results will be calculated mat to mat and not gun to mat.
ā¢ Final cut-off is still six and a half hours and cut-offs along the route will be based on the last group of runners starting.
ā¢ The start has moved from Beach Rd to Fritz Sonnenberg Road, with the Cape Town Stadium Forecourt hosting the staggered start batches.
Marathon Route change
With excellent ocean views and a refreshing sea breeze, the last stretch of the marathon will now take runners past the Sea Point promenade straight to the finish line in Vlei road
We look forward to running with you!
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Team”
One other communique that excited me was about news that ‘We’re en route to becoming the world’s 7th Abbott World Marathon Majors
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has officially been confirmed as an Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) Candidate ā the first marathon in Africa to be nominated as a candidate event’
Ā My personal experience of Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is:The race has it all ā amazing views, energetic volunteers, most beautiful medals with the city features included with the DHL Stadium and table mountain on it, and a relaxing flat grade from start to finish that is perfect for a near end-of-year race! Iāll be back for the 2022 edition!
The scenery is beautiful in this race. Everyone was friendly and encouraging.Great scenic race for beginners or those who like a mostly flat course. The volunteers are numerous and show a lot of enthusiasm. How often does an aid station feature a Woolworth stall with all runnerscan need to revitalize their system?
I had booked the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Covid Test on the 15th of October has been changed to 16-10-2021 15:35 with Beluga medical team On the day I just checked in the hotel straight from Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport to Cape International Airport then to the Hotel. I was scared as I have never done covid19 test before however the staff reassured me that all will be well and advised me on doing breathing exercises before I take the covid19 Test.
I had to produce the covid19 test ticket for registration to start testing and after I produced the ticked the medical personnel scanned it and I went into Testing room where a medical personnel came and did the test placing a test kit in my nose taking a swap that was to be used to further the test . I then was directed to a waiting area where I waited for my results via sis that I was told will take 15minutes after that I received my covid19 negative results that allowed me to go into the expo to collect the goody bag and race number .
As an athlete I believe in proper planning and preparation for any event that I wish to take part in.
The planning and preparation includes training cycles, rest cycles, recovery cycles, nutrition during training and the event as well as hydration. You also need to be familiar with any race or event specific rules
Motivation was that advert from Sanlam Cape Town Marathon https://twitter.com/CTMarathon/status/1450095701514412032?t=NVLepILqU-h6nW6LWG9now&s=19
On race day other 17th October 2021. I got my starting spot and had team members from Eskom Athletics Club we took pictures and updated the social media for my fans :
https://twitter.com/billysigudla/status/1450859860439048198?t=rgn2WAVO13o7u4clgz4ocw&s=19
The race progression started And the National anthem started just before the race start:
https://twitter.com/billysigudla/status/1450859860439048198?t=Xdj2o_KGZP2RmyEBOY06gg&s=19
Sharing moments before the start of the race:
We are about to start with @ctmarathon #CTMarathon2021 #SABC2 will broadcast the @sanlam #CapeTownMarathon this Sunday, 17 October 2021, courtesy of SABC Sport.
Catch the prestigious 42.2km race LIVE from 06:00 – 09:30. @CTMarathon #WeLoveItHere https://t.co/jyBDiT10tN
We are about to start with @ctmarathon #CTMarathon2021. I have a a fuzzy feel āŗ #SABC2 will broadcast the @sanlam #CapeTownMarathon this Sunday, 17 October 2021, courtesy of SABC Sport.
Catch the prestigious 42.2km race LIVE from 06:00 – 09:30. @CTMarathon #WeLoveItHere https://t.co/vs5drypIrR
We are about to start with me from @eskomathleticsc @LurdwicKhomo @ctmarathon #CTMarathon2021 #SABC2 will broadcast the @sanlam #CapeTownMarathon this Sunday, 17 October 2021, courtesy of SABC Sport.
Catch the prestigious 42.2km race LIVE from 06:00 – 09:30. @CTMarathon https://t.co/olKgXzG7vs
https://twitter.com/billysigudla/status/1449589017784340480?t=Id5V_Tudm14jpAQRI-PiLg&s=19
The race was great, I enjoyed even when the weather was not favorable since it was drizzling but the atmosphere made it look good as people by the water spots encouraged us as we run and it was fun all the way up to the end.
After 32km mark :Everyone you meet has something to teach you. 10km to go https://t.co/zyzescxXeM
My results as received from runtime:Siphiwe Billy Sigudla completed the Cape Town Marathon Marathon! Time 04:51:55 (UNOFFICIAL) https://t.co/G9TwmpX4gd #CTMarathon
The experience I got at #CTMarathon @CTMarathon can not be bought. I experience something new. First time I did #covid19test and First time I attend such a well organized event ļ ļ everything was perfect ļ„°. I can’t wait for next year for #SanlamCapeTownMarathon2022 ļæļ¦#sports https://t.co/eZWOp9Ff6W
https://twitter.com/billysigudla/status/1449749005550903298?t=UacA7u672dfANL1mH2FH_Q&s=19
The experience I got at #CTMarathon @CTMarathon can not be bought. I experience something new. First time I did #covid19test and First time I attend such a well organized event ļ ļ everything was perfect ļ„°. I can’t wait for next year for #SanlamCapeTownMarathon2022 ļæļ¦#sports https://t.co/6MBoL1Pvyw
https://twitter.com/billysigudla/status/1449756153165099012?t=obIVLJa5fFQsY5nUbQdoVQ&s=19
See pictures inclused:
End of race at the podium:
Your menās podium of the 2021 #SanlamCapeTownMarathon. @tlotlomoko on the top rung. Ethiopiaās Gebru Redagne with Lesothoās Tebello Ramakongoana in third. https://t.co/lEKuxv3Hij
https://twitter.com/CTMarathon/status/1449669029514203142?t=LbjPMNMkHZsVg0-kSuOSVA&s=19
I managed to write a short report on the race based on newspaper reports via twitter knowing I will transfer it to this blog and it goes like :
“
1. AS I report on @ctmarathon Sunday there was no publication on the event: Gold for Mokoka and Steyn via @capetimesrsa 18 October 2021 edition newspaper #CTMarathon2021 #ctm2021 #ctm21 #CTMarathon #SanlamCapeTownMarathon @sanlam #SanlamCapeTownMarathon2021 @gerdarun @tlotlomoko
2. Still on @ctmarathon: SA Top athlete Stephen Mokoka wins the Cape Town Marathon with time 02:10:10 dor men’s race and Kenyan Athlete Lydia Naliaka Simuyou won the ladies race with time of 02:25:41 via @capetimesrsa 18 October 2021 edition newspaper #CTMarathon2021 #ctm2021
3. History made in the @CityofCT City Marathon @ctmarathon via @capetimesrsa 18 October 2021 edition newspaper #CTMarathon2021 #ctm2021 #CTMarathon https://t.co/Tsg6HhYtzT
4. History made in the @CityofCT City Marathon @ctmarathon via @CapeTimesSA 18 October 2021 edition newspaper #CTMarathon2021 #ctm2021 #CTMarathon https://t.co/lMAoXcSIvQ
5. History made in the @CityofCT City Marathon @ctmarathon via @CapeTimesSA 18 October 2021 edition newspaper #CTMarathon2021 #ctm2021 #CTMarathon
6. SA @tlotlomoko wins the @ctmarathon yesterday via @TheCitizen_News 18 October 2021 edition newspaper #CTMarathon2021 #ctm2021 #CTMarathon
7. SA @tlotlomoko wins the @ctmarathon yesterday via @TheCitizen_News 18 October 2021 edition newspaper #CTMarathon2021 #ctm2021 #CTMarathon https://t.co/oRklVDwNnY
The TV also featured highlights of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 2021:
It was exciting to see this segment Sanlam Cape Town Marathon highlights tonight at 20h00 on DStv channel 209 @SuperSportTV #CapeTownMarathon2021 @CTMarathon wow great compilation @elanameyer and Team https://t.co/l0hGnCHMci
https://twitter.com/billysigudla/status/1450550219691728903?t=rSozSOpT0TwpyXbt1-oXlg&s=19
@legoale76 i see you on @SuperSportTV #CapeTownMarathon2021 @CTMarathon wow my famous friend from @waterfallcityac https://t.co/YEEaxPK5tx
This brings me to closing of my report https://twitter.com/billysigudla/status/1452333143093043209?t=dE8OCQkptibFWWrEpFOg9g&s=19
Siphiwe Billy Sigudla
Executive Editor
Christian Posts by Billy Sigudla 