• More than 200 SAPS members took part in this years Sanlam Cape Town Marathon and accompanying races in Cape Town. 
• The weekend event lasts until Sunday. 
• Motorists in Cape Town can expect road closures due to the two-day event.

Two-hundred-and-thirty-five Police members from across the country took part in this year's 42.2km Sanlam Cape Town Marathon and accompanying races in the city, exchanging their blue police uniforms for running gear.

Top cops, such as National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile, led 52 top cops from various police stations in the country as they took part in running the five and 10km events.

The members, dressed in an array of bright blue T-shirts, tracksuit pants, shorts, running shoes, sun hats and shades started their run just before 06:00 at the DHL Stadium on Saturday. Some chose to do the 10km while other could only manage the 5km event, all in a bid to highlight and encourage fitness within the police ranks.

Masemola said participating in running events was another way of promoting and encouraging fitness within the SAPS.

"We continue to encourage and implement wellness and fitness programmes to ensure police officers are always fit to respond to the call of duty,” said Masemola. The top cop said the SAPS has 21 sporting codes, which include athletics, rugby and soccer, where the organisation encourages members to keep fit and healthy.

"The organisation has a fitness policy in the SAPS that ensures operational members undergo fitness tests and assessments regularly," Masemola added.

Patekile was all smiles and cheers when he crossed  the finishing line. He said it took him one hour and twenty four minutes to complete the 10km run. 

Despite being out of breath, the provincial police chief said it was fun to be around the other runners. 

Patekile said:

Although not very happy with the time he took to complete the run, Patekile said it was actually "very bad". 

"My time… was very bad, I think. So, I will definitely start getting back to my running again," said Patekile. 

He said while they were participating in the race, others in the force were on high alert making sure the police in the Mother City are operationally ready to police the marathon and ensure the safety and security of participants and supporters.

"Our members are already on the ground, heightening police visibility. We are here to ensure the race takes place in a safe and secure environment," said Patekile.

KwaZulu-Natal constable Thobeka Phungula, 33, said the race did her good. "This is my second race, and I'm very happy about the race today. I think I even beat my time in last year's race," Phungula gushed.

She added that working in the police required her to keep fit and this helps her in her daily tasks as an officer of the law. "Keeping fit helps me in every way because, as a police officer, you need to be mentally and physically fit to cope with the job," said Phungula.

Constable Siphamandla Mnguni, 35, from Umbilo, KZN, said he was thankful he was given the time and space to train daily for the marathon. "I'm very thankful to my station commander for allowing me to train. I encourage all police officers to stay active so that we can arrest more criminals," said Mnguni.

The Sanlam Marathon and accompanying races is expected to last until Sunday, and motorists can expect many Road closures in and around Cape Town on Sunday.

This will also significantly impact the MyCiTi service over the weekend. As a result of the road closures on Saturday and Sunday, service on several MyCiTi routes will be cancelled or partially impacted.

Route 104 was cancelled until 10:00 on Saturday and Sunday: 

Road Closure

Sunday's 42.2 km marathon will take athletes from the start line outside the DHL Stadium to Newlands via Nelson Mandela Boulevard, passing through Woodstock, Salt River and Mowbray before returning to the CBD and Sea Point.

Due to the marathon, several roads in the CBD and surroundings will be closed periodically to traffic on Sunday. The City's mayoral committee member for Safety and Security JP Smith, said its safety and security services will be deployed to assist in managing logistics and safety in and around the event footprint.

"Traffic services will be working with event marshals at crucial intersections in various areas to ensure minimal disruptions to the movement of traffic, assisting residents to move through various detours while safeguarding the race route," said Smith.

The following major arteries will be closed off to traffic at various times during the day between 05:00 and 14:30 on Sunday: 

"Motorists are advised that no parking will be allowed on Long Street between Riebeek and Strand streets on the morning of the marathon.

"Parking is also not allowed on Plein, St Johns and Hatfield Streets between Darling Street and Orange Street from 06:30 to 12:30," said the City.