Sanlam Cape Town Marathon organisers today announced it has been awarded IAAF Gold Label Status.
"A first for Africa, and with less than 35 IAAF Gold Label status marathons internationally, this is a huge honour and achievement," comments race director Janet Welham.
Says Yegs Ramiah, Chief Executive of Sanlam Brand, "Three years ago, we decided to sponsor the Cape Town Marathon and the growth of the race has been truly remarkable. From achieving IAAF Silver Label Status in year one to Gold Label Status in year three, we are proud to be part of an event that places Cape Town on the global stage alongside cities such as Boston, New York and London. As a diversified financial services player with an extensive footprint into Africa, we take pride in creating an opportunity for African athletes to compete in a Gold Label event on their own continent. We look forward to helping take the marathon to the next level as Africa's major marathon."
To achieve gold, a host of requirements ranging from the event's attractiveness (history and heritage of the race, city, country and continent); event marketing; athlete line-up (number of participants, elite field, prize money, equality and safety) together with technical issues including official times and results, route measurements, water stations, road closures, medical and doping requirements, amongst other, need to be complied with. A stringent process, requiring a new application each year, 'going for gold' has been one of the marathon's key goals since its relaunch in 2014.
To have achieved IAAF Gold Label Status adds a level of credibility that is unsurpassed, providing a perfect foundation for organisers to shatter even more records across the board this year. "I have always been inspired and motivated by achieving excellence," says Elana Meyer, race ambassador. "Today, I feel privileged and honoured to be an ambassador of the IAAF Gold Label Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. It takes us a step closer to achieving our dream, and I will continue to embrace this event as a platform for change."