Protest threatens South Africa's world famous marathon

Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – The threat of protest action at a major Cape Town informal settlement has resulted in a late change in the routing for Saturday’s Two Oceans Marathon 

The 56 kilometre race, which will be celebrating its 50th anniversary, encompasses a route along the Indian and Atlantic Oceans near Cape Point. It is widely regarded as the most breath-taking marathon in the world

Tens of thousands of runners will now be diverted away from Hout Bay and the Imizamo Yethu settlement where protestors have threatened to disrupt the event.

The decision was taken following a meeting between Disaster Management Services, Provincial Emergency Medical Services, police and race organisers late on Thursday.

A statement from the organisers said disruptions along the route were a ”real and credible threat to event safety”.

–0– PANA CU/AR 19Apr2018