The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 2026 delivered its strongest case yet for inclusion into the Abbott World Marathon Majors after a record-breaking day in the Mother City on Sunday.
With near-perfect weather conditions, huge roadside support and the strongest elite field ever assembled for a marathon on African soil, three course records fell as Cape Town underlined its growing reputation as Africa’s premier marathon.
Ethiopia’s Mohamed Esa won the men’s race in a sensational 2:04:55, smashing the previous course record of 2:08:16 and making the Cape Town route the fastest marathon course on the continent.
Compatriot Dera Dida claimed the women’s title in 2:23:18, while Britain’s David Weir and Switzerland’s Manuela Schär both rewrote the wheelchair course records.
Weir clocked 1:30:20 in the men’s division, while Schär obliterated the women’s mark with a dominant 1:43:25 performance.
The race attracted its biggest international field yet, with 8,500 overseas entrants taking part, including 1,850 runners competing in the Abbott World Marathon Majors Marathon Tours and Travel Age Group World Championships.
Race CEO Clark Gardner said the event represented a significant step forward after the cancellation of the 2025 edition.
“And that’s a wrap for the 2026 edition for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, a very important one for us in that we were coming off an event that was cancelled in 2025,” said Gardner.
“I think it was really great to bounce back with an event on a perfect day, with great organisation, and an incredible elite result, with so many new records.”
Gardner admitted there were still lessons to learn, though he praised the response from local and international runners.
“It was not a perfect event, and we’ve already learnt some valuable lessons, but overall, we’re super proud that we have so many happy participants and supporters.
“The overall feedback from international runners has been impressive. They love Cape Town, they love South Africa, they love a marathon in Africa.”
Attention now turns to the pending announcement on whether Cape Town has successfully completed phase two of the Abbott World Marathon Majors candidacy process.
Dawna Stone said organisers had impressed assessors during the latest evaluation.
“It was incredible to see the hard work of the Cape Town team come together on a spectacular day in this beautiful city,” said Stone.
“Our evaluation team now have everything they need to complete their work and we are excited to see the outcome very soon.”
The event also received strong backing from marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, who ran his first official marathon on African soil in Cape Town as part of his Eliud’s Running World initiative.
The two-time Olympic champion finished 16th in 2:13:29 and was greeted by large crowds throughout the route.
“I have run all the Majors in the world, but 24 May 2026 is the day that I believe the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon will become an Abbott World Marathon Majors event,” said Kipchoge.
“I believe that all one billion Africans should be proud of this race, and that we are creating a real legacy for Africa.”
Kipchoge said the support from spectators left a lasting impression.
“My highlight today was all those people on the road who were singing for all of us runners for the whole day, giving us support and morale.
“Those are the real heroes of the Cape Town Marathon. They were singing for the whole of Africa.”
Sanlam Group Executive for Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Shadi Chauke said the event continued to unite communities while showcasing African excellence on the global stage.
“What stands out most is the way this event brings people together,” said Chauke.
“From runners and supporters to clubs and race partners, it is the strength of this wider community that gives the marathon its meaning.”
