Cape Town a gold label race
THE Cape Town Marathon has been awarded IAAF Gold Label Status‚ putting it on par with iconic races in London‚ New York and Boston‚ and providing a spur‚ organisers hope‚ for greater international participation this year.
It is the first marathon in Africa to be awarded the status and the city will debut on the list with the running‚ over various distances‚ of the race on September 17.
The marathon had been a Silver Label event‚ but has taken a step up due to Cape Town’s attractiveness as a destination city and the line-up of athletes competing‚ both in terms of numbers and quality of the field.
“Gold Label status is the highest and most stringent standard awarded by the IAAF‚ the international governing body of running‚” says Sue Forge‚ general manager of Western Province Athletics.
“We are exceptionally proud that this accolade has been bestowed on the Cape Town Marathon.
“It solidifies and elevates this event’s status to one of the very best in the world‚ and is a true testament to the meticulous organisation and passion of the entire team‚ its partners and sponsors.”
Organisers are also hoping to increase the number of entries to 25 000 participants across all race distances on offer.
The event will once again host a 10km Peace Run‚ 22km and 12km Peace Trail Runs and a Fun Run‚ in addition to the flagship 42.2km standard marathon.
Former Olympic long distance runner Elana Meyer and 1995 World Cup-winning Springbok captain Francois Pienaar have again been named as ambassadors of the event‚ with the latter having challenged former Proteas cricket captain Graeme Smith and Zanele Mdodana‚ ex-South Africa netball skipper‚ to run the full 42.2km race this year‚ which both have accepted. — TMG