UCT Memorial 10km Cancelled

The UCT memorial 10km will not take place this year, for reasons beyond the control of the University athletics club.

The race remains one of the most important on the road running calendar and it is the intention of the club, its sponsors and supporters that it will again be staged on the traditional route in Rondebosch and Newlands in May 2024, embracing a new vision to do the following:

1. Offer a substantial and enjoyable 10km challenge to people of all ages

2.  Provide attractive rewards to elite athletes delivering top performances

3. Offer additional incentives together with the Merrilyn Smith Trophy to the first woman

4. Promote development of the sport at grass roots level

5. Renew the vision of the Lindsay Weight Foundation to provide opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to study at and run for UCT.

The race has enjoyed a long history from its inception in 1983 to remember Merrilyn Smith, a leading athlete and the catalyst for a resurgence of women’s distance running at University of Cape Town and who tragically died far too young.

Isavel Roche-Kelly and Lindsay Weight, both winners of the Comrades Marathon while running for UCT, also died young and are remembered at the UCT Memorial 10km.

A number of other late athletes, who contributed substantially to the UCT Athletics Club, will also be remembered in 2024 in a new Roll of Honour.