Nothing makes a Western Cape runner’s ears perk up quite like the words “Cape Town Marathon.” Yes, the brave (dare we say insane) will tackle the Two Oceans ultra in a blaze of self-flagellating glory, but for pretty much everyone else, the Cape Town marathon is the highlight of the race calendar. “See you at the marathon?” Babe, it’s a date.
The thing about the Cape Town Marathon is that it’s more than just a once-off 42.2km test of physical and mental prowess — it’s a lifestyle. It’s the 12-week (or more) training block, countless crew runs, burst blisters, physio appointments, hated hill reps, and long runs so long that they make you question your sanity. It’s also about telling everyone you’re training for a marathon.
As all great feats of man do, the Nine Four’s 2024 Cape Town Marathon journey started with a poem:
“Then nothing became something, and I was born, and I wrought great havoc in the world in the time allotted to me, and I returned to nothingness” — Bangambiki Habyarimana, Pearls of Eternity
With the desire to wreak great havoc painted on their hearts and plastered on their souls, the Nine Four marathoners, affectionately known as the ‘Havoc Crew’ began a journey punctuated by more laughter, tears, team spirit — and tired feet — than anyone could have imagined.
Bound together by a sprinkling of delusion and the collective desire to push themselves to the absolute limit, the Havoc Crew threw themselves into the 12-week training block. Hundreds of kms and a couple of casualties later — race week arrived, and, in true Nine Four style, havoc was wrought.
A moment for the drip
As every self-respecting marathoner knows, your race day drip can significantly improve your performance (and any photos taken of you along the route). And, as far as race day drip goes, the Havoc Crew kit was nothing short of FIRE. So were the havoc public tees and the shakeout tees, for that matter.
Friday night: did someone say tattoos and tooth gems?
According to scientists and elite athletes, the best way to prepare for a marathon is to get a Nine Four-themed tattoo (permanent) and a tooth gem (semi-permanent) — we don’t make the rules. Not ones to question the experts, we threw together the ultimate marathon pre-party with all the ingredients to ensure the soon-to-be marathoners were prepared for the upcoming race.
Part photographic exhibition, part Q&A, part dance party, part tattoo convention, part recovery boot station, part carb-loading — there was something in it for everyone. We had running inspo and expert advice on tap as we chatted all things running with the iconic Elan Meyer and (the soon-to-be new women’s marathon national record holder) Glenrose Xaba, ahead of her debut. There were ice-cold Jack Blacks and Holy Macaronis, a steady stream of stick-and-poke tattoos, and sparkling teeth courtesy of Paradise Cosmetics, and in keeping with Nine Four tradition, a bonafide dance party to end off the night.
Saturday morning: there’s a run in my Shelflife coffee?
Shakeout runs are a time-honoured tradition in the world of races — after all, who’s brave enough to go arrive at the start line without double, no, triple-checking that their legs still work after tapering? Not us. Our Shelflife x Nine Four shakeout run started bright and early on Saturday morning at the Burrow, with runners from crews and clubs from across Cape Town joining us for a trot through the city.
Special shakeout tees were showered upon the early arrivals, and PUMA Nitro demos were available to those tempted to test out some new shoes the day before a race — and then it was off into the streets. No shakeout run would be complete without carbs and coffee, and after some (easy pace) havoc, the runners returned to the Shelflife Cafe for some delicious pastries and coffee. VIBES.
Sunday part 1: everyone’s in the zone
Race day dawned with havoc in the air (and suspiciously spray painted along the route by some committed cheer zone criminals) and no shortage of excitement (and nerves). As the runners began their 42.2km journey, the cheerleaders were just getting started.
“Those who don’t run, support” is a mantra taken very seriously by the running community, and the CTM cheerzones go off. Hours of planning, poster-making, cutting out giant faces, cheer gear logistics all culminated in a morning of complete and utter havoc. 1 mile, many crews, loud-hailers, DJs, water guns, flags, smoke bombs, sunburn, tears, champagne, and a truly unforgettable show of support for every single runner: it’s safe to say the 2024 CTM cheer zone was one for the books.
Sunday part 2: it was actually all about the afterparty
If you’ve ever spoken to a marathon runner, they’ll tell you the first thing they want to do after the race (after a shower and food, of course) is dance the night away at a raucous afterparty. Don’t believe us? Just ask one. Naturally, we had to oblige and, in true Nine Four style, the afterparty did not disappoint.
Armed with sunburns, medals, and suspiciously fresh legs, runners and sun-weary supporters alike wiped the day’s sweat off their Oakleys and put on their Sunday best to answer the call of the paloma at the Nine Four’s second home (Blondie). And, with a line-up that included Mila, BūJinn, national icon Jakobsnake, and the one-and-only Niskerone, it was safe to say no one would stay seated for long. Watches on, Strava ready, and drinks in hand, everyone danced like they still had a step goal to achieve.
Mission? Success. And with great havoc wrought during marathon week, the Nine Four returned to nothingness — jokes. We’re just biding our time as we prepare to answer the call of the next big race week.
