After the disappointment of last year when the race was cancelled in the last minute due to inclement weather and for the safety of runners,South African and international runners are bracing themselves for this year’s Sanlam Cape Town Marathon showpiece next Sunday on May 24.
Not only will they be lacing up to achieve their personal best, or to boost their egos, but they will be pounding the streets alongside one of the world’s best marathon runners Eliud Kipchoge.
The world-renowned Kenyan long-distance runner is the 2016 and 2020 Olympic marathon champion, and was the world record holder in the marathon from 2018 to 2023, until that record was broken in 2023.
Kipchoge’s presence is a major drawcard for the race and has attracted a lot of interest. Local and other international runners will be looking forward to exchanging sweat with the tar-eating-machine, while social runners will also be eager to catch a glimpse and to sneak in a selfie or two with their idol and running icon.
The marathon will serve as the opening chapter of Eliud’s Running World, a series of seven marathons across all continents designed to inspire communities and unite the world through running.
“It is truly special for me to run my first ever marathon on African soil,” Kipchoge told the marathon’s website.
“The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon represents not only a beautiful and dynamic race, but also a powerful connection to the continent that has shaped so many great athletes.
“I am excited to experience this event for the first time, to feel the energy of the course, and most importantly, to meet and share this moment with the fans. Running has always been about unity, and I look forward to celebrating that spirit together in Cape Town,” he added.
The marathon’s head of marketing Renata Bossi explains that the race has rapidly established itself as one of the leading races on the global running calendar, drawing elite athletes and runners from across the world to Cape Town each year.
This year, more than 27 000 marathon runners will line up at the start, a powerful signal of the race’s growth and the momentum building behind Africa’s premier marathon.
The event is currently a candidate for Abbott World Marathon Majors status, with the ambition of bringing Africa its first Major and creating a global stage where African athletes can compete and triumph on home soil.
According to the website, the deepest, fastest field ever assembled for an African marathon will be lining up for a share of the significantly increased prize purse.
This year’s race is that the prize purse has been significantly increased, with the total prize purse for the marathon top 10 and age group contenders (male and female combined) climbing by just over R1-million (40%), from R2 578 000 to R3 598 000.
The top 10 men and women (as well as the top five male and female wheelchair athletes) will be paid in US dollars, and the increased prize for the winner is now $35 000 (R595 000, working with an exchange rate of R17 to the US dollar), up from the $25 000 first prize on offer in 2025. Second place will now earn $20 000 instead of $15 000, while third place is worth $15 000 instead of $10 000.
The incentive for breaking the men’s or women’s course record has also been increased by 33%, from $15 000 to $20 000, and the organisers have thrown in an extra R250 000 incentive for a new World Record.
Some of the Men’s Top runners:
Kipchoge and Stephen Kiprop (Kenya); Boki Kebede Asefa, Yihunilign Adane and Boki Kebede (Ethiopia); Steven Mokoka, Elroy Gelant and Desmond Mokgobu (SA)
Women’s Marathon:
Lonah Salpeter (Israel); Ruti Aga, Dera Dida, Mestawat Fikir (all Ethiopia); Edna Kiplagat (Kenya); Desi Jisa Mokonin (Bahrain), Fortunate Chidzivo (Zimbabwe) and Emma Pallant-Browne (Great Britain).
- Last year's Sanlam Cape Town Marathon was cancelled at the last minute due to bad weather and safety concerns.
- The cancellation was a major disappointment for both South African and international runners.
- This year’s marathon is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 24.
- Runners from South Africa and abroad are preparing to participate in the event.
- For the full article, readers are directed to purchase the e-edition of Sunday World.
After the disappointment of last year when the race was cancelled in the last minute due to inclement weather and for the safety of runners,
Not only will they be lacing up to achieve their personal best, or to boost their egos, but they will be pounding the streets alongside one of the world’s best marathon runners Eliud Kipchoge.
Kipchoge’s presence is a major drawcard for the race and has attracted a lot of interest. Local and other international runners will be looking forward to exchanging sweat with the tar-eating-machine, while social runners will also be eager to catch a glimpse and to sneak in a selfie or two with their idol and running icon.
“It is truly special for me to run my first ever marathon on African soil,” Kipchoge told the marathon’s website.
“
“I am excited to experience this event for the first time, to feel the energy of the course, and most importantly, to meet and share this moment with the fans.
Some of the Men’s Top runners:
Kipchoge and Stephen Kiprop (
Women’s
Lonah Salpeter (Israel); Ruti Aga, Dera Dida, Mestawat Fikir (all
