The 2026 Absa Run Your City Cape Town 10KM has officially been cancelled following severe weather warnings ahead of Sunday’s scheduled race.
Organisers confirmed on Friday that the decision was made in consultation with the City of Cape Town, local authorities, Disaster Risk Management teams and appointed safety officials after forecasts predicted dangerous conditions across the Western Cape this weekend.
According to the latest weather reports, a cold front is expected to make landfall over the province on Sunday morning, followed by a second cold front on Monday. The forecast includes disruptive rainfall, strong interior winds, gale-force coastal winds and cold, wet weather conditions across the region.
Authorities have also warned of flooding on roads and in settlements, as well as dangerous driving conditions throughout the city.
Safety Took Priority
The race, which was set to take place on Sunday, 10 May, is one of South Africa’s biggest road running events and attracts thousands of runners from across the country. Organisers said continuous monitoring and risk assessments showed no sign of improvement in the forecast.
“Our Operations Team has been closely monitoring the weather predictions and engaging daily with the City of Cape Town authorities, local authorities, and the appointed safety officials in the lead-up to race weekend,” said Dezroy Poole.
“This decision was not taken lightly, especially considering the anticipation surrounding the event and the commitment shown by our runners, sponsors and partners. However, under the expected conditions, we could not guarantee a safe and enjoyable race experience for all involved.” Leonora DeSouza-Zilwa added that safety remained the city’s top priority.
“With the severe weather warnings issued for Cape Town this weekend posing a serious safety risk to participants, as well as impacting public infrastructure, mobility and essential services, responsible decision-making becomes critical,” she said.
Runners Can Claim Refunds or 2027 Entry
In recognition of the disruption and the financial pressure many South Africans face, participants will be given the option of either a full refund or free entry into the 2027 edition of the race.
Despite the cancellation, registered runners can still collect their official race packs and event merchandise at Grand Parade. Collection will continue on Friday from 09:00 to 19:00 and on Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00. Sydney Mbhele said organisers understood the disappointment felt by runners.
“While we share in the disappointment of thousands of runners who were looking forward to this event, safety had to come first. The decision to cancel was not an easy one, but we are delighted to offer our participants a choice between a full refund or free entry to the 2027 Absa Run Your City Cape Town 10K race,” said Mbhele.
All registered participants are expected to receive communication via WhatsApp and email over the weekend outlining the refund process and next steps.
For updates, runners can visit Run Your City Series or follow the official race Instagram page @capetown10k.
