Marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge will line up for a historic run in South Africa after announcing that the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon will open his ambitious global project titled Eliud’s Running World.
The initiative will see the Olympic Marathon champion complete seven marathons across all seven continents over the next two years.
The journey aims to inspire healthier lifestyles, unite running communities and raise funds for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, which supports environmental conservation and education in underserved communities.
Cape Town provides the starting line for this global quest.
The race, scheduled for 24 May 2026, marks a symbolic homecoming for the 41 year-old Kenyan legend whose career has largely unfolded on international roads.
“Yes, my first outing for the year will be in Cape Town,” Kipchoge said.
“It is one of the oldest places in Africa. I decided to start with my own continent.
“Africa is where my journey as a runner began and where the foundation of my success is deeply rooted,” said Kipchoge.
“To start this World Tour in Cape Town is very special. It is about celebrating the strength of African running and inspiring the next generation.
“To race my first ever marathon on the African continent holds deep meaning for me. I cannot wait.”
For Kipchoge, the race carries emotional weight. Millions across Africa have followed his record-breaking performances on television and online. Now he hopes to meet them stride for stride.
“This means a lot for me. This is my first marathon to run in Africa and I’m really happy to run in Cape Town,” he said.
“I want to bring excitement and bring people to Africa. Our idea is to create movement in this world, create movement in Africa and across all continents.”
Kipchoge said his focus at the SCTM will be on inspiration rather than going for records.
“In other races I competed for world records, for victories and course records,” he explained. “This time I run for purpose. I run to inspire people, motivate people and make people move.”
That purpose extends beyond the finish line.
“I am running to reach more people and spread the message about education and conservation,” he said. “In Africa we are still vulnerable as far as education is concerned. Our planet is our home and we need to make it clean.”
The Cape Town race continues its steady climb in global status. The marathon has become one of the most prominent events on the international calendar and expects more than 27,000 runners on the start line in 2026. Organisers are pursuing inclusion in the Abbott World Marathon Majors, which would make it the first Major marathon on African soil.
Race CEO Clark Gardner believes Kipchoge’s presence will elevate the moment.
“Eliud represents the very best of what running can inspire,” Gardner said.
“To see him race our streets, meet our communities and engage with young runners across the city will be incredibly powerful. Moments like this remind us what is possible when the world’s greatest athletes connect with the places and people that shaped the sport.”
Further destinations for Kipchoge’s seven-continent tour will be revealed later this week.
For now, the first step of a global running odyssey begins beneath Table Mountain, where one of the sport’s greatest champions will turn African roads into the opening miles of a worldwide mission.
