2021 Two Oceans Marathon cancelled
Following months of uncertainty and rigorous conversation, organisers of the 2021 Two Oceans Marathon have made the decision to cancel the event for the second consecutive year.
The popular ultra-marathon and half marathon was set to take place in its traditional Easter slot in Cape Town, however given the current circumstances and the possibility of a third wave of covid-19 infections the organisers felt they had no other choice but to cancel.
"Under the current Alert Level 3 of the Disaster Management Act, No. 57 of 2002, we have continued with planning TOM 2021 in different formats and reduced numbers, applying international best practice to ensure the safety of the runners participating in the Two Oceans Marathon 2021," the race organisers said in a statement.
"As the pandemic continues to rage across our country unabated, we have continued to consult extensively with our stakeholders, Athletics South Africa and Western Province Athletics, as well as our medical team on the best way forward.
"Guided by the advice from the medical team and Two Oceans Marathon chief medical officer, Dr Adrian Rotunno, the Two Oceans Marathon NPC is deeply saddened to announce that the 2021 Two Oceans Marathon, scheduled to take place on 3 April 2021, is cancelled."
The Chief Medical Officer for the event Dr Andrian Rotunno knows that the decision taken is the correct one as safety continues to be paramount.
"The second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa is affecting a larger proportion of the population than the first wave and placing a severe burden on the health system.
"The potential risk of a third wave in the coming months cannot be discounted. The health and safety of all competitors, stakeholders, and running community as a whole, is paramount, and given the current pandemic climate, the health risks around hosting the TOM mass participation event are far too significant for the event to proceed safely.
"Under guidance from global evidence-based practice, only hosting a full-scale physical event once the health situation has improved to acceptable levels for all is unfortunate, but necessary," Dr Rotunno said.
There was a thought to postpone the event to a later day in 2021 however due to a congested calendar as well as continued uncertainty that wasn't a viable option.
