CAPE TOWN – Cape Town is set to add a landmark new event to its sporting calendar with the launch of the inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon on 18 October 2026.
The race will bring together 20,000 runners and walkers for a unique experience themed Rise, Remember, Run, taking participants through one of the world’s most symbolic and meaningful marathon routes.
The event is rooted not in competition but rather in values and purpose, with all profits donated directly to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
The event will take runners on a 42km journey through the heart of Cape Town, starting in Strand Street before heading towards the Atlantic seaboard, sweeping back through the Foreshore, out towards Milnerton, and returning to finish on the historic Grand Parade.
The route passes through spaces shaped by the history of slavery and South Africa’s long walk to freedom, with Robben Island visible on the horizon, serving as a constant reminder of what the race represents. Final details of the route will be made towards the end of June.
“This is about carrying forward the values Madiba stood for: dignity, unity, courage and justice,” he says. At a time when the world feels increasingly divided, even the smallest step can connect us to something greater than ourselves,” said Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Dr Mbongiseni Buthelezi.
Organised by Golazo in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the race brings together sport and legacy in a powerful collaboration.
Bob Verbeeck, CEO of Golazo added: “Running has always been one of the most inclusive sports, and this series embodies that spirit. It is a true honour to work alongside the Nelson Mandela Foundation to pay tribute to Madiba and carry his values forward.”
Golazo and Itheko Sport Athletic Club have joined forces to bring Cape Town’s iconic Slave Route Challenge into the Nelson Mandela Marathon weekend.
Four of Africa’s leading distance athletes have been named ambassadors for the event, united by a shared belief in the power of sport to inspire change.
The group includes Kenya’s Dr. Paul Tergat, a marathon world record holder and Olympic silver medallist, and Catherine Ndereba, a two-time world marathon champion and four-time Boston Marathon winner.
South Africa is represented by former New York City Marathon champion Hendrick Ramaala, alongside rising star Prudence Sekgodiso, the 2025 world indoor 800m champion.
