Cape Town’s Atlantic air hung still like a held breath on Saturday morning as South African stars Maxime Chaumeton and Tayla Kavanagh carved their names deeper into the city’s road running folklore at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 10km Peace Run.
On a cool, windless morning tailor-made for speed, both runners tore through the streets like spikes striking a drumbeat, smashing the previous course records by 12 seconds and turning the race into a showcase of South African endurance running at full throttle.
Chaumeton stormed to victory in the men’s race in 27:41, slicing through the previous mark of 27:53 set by Adriaan Wildschutt in 2023. Averaging a blistering 2:37 per kilometre, the national 10km record-holder ran as if attached to an invisible tow rope.
Thapelo Ramokhoase finished second in 28:34, while Cwenga Nose rounded out the podium in 29:00.
“This win and this course record really mean a lot to me. I don’t run in South Africa often, but this is my country, and I always try my best to represent it as best as I can whenever I race,” said Chaumeton.
“The course record was the main target today, not trying for another sub-27, because I am building up to my track season and have to be careful what I do. A sub-27 takes a lot out of the legs, so today was about trying to get that course record, and I’m very happy that I got it.”
Chaumeton also praised the chasing pack after waiting at the finish to congratulate fellow athletes.
“There is so much talent in this country, and in my opinion, much bigger talents than me. Thapelo has so much potential to run a sub-28, and once you do that, things really open up for you. I think it’s important for all of us to help and motivate each other as much as we can.”
If Chaumeton ran with surgical precision, Kavanagh raced like a perfectly tuned racing engine set to maximum tempo.
The women’s champion from Hollywood Athletic Club burst clear within the opening kilometre and never looked back, securing a third consecutive title in 31:25 while lowering her own course record and personal best. The performance elevated her to sixth on South Africa’s all-time list.
Kyla Jacobs claimed second in 32:48, while Kavanaghs Hollywood AC teammate Neheng Khatala finished third in 33:02.
“I’m really, really stoked. I really wanted three wins out of three here, so that’s quite special, and it was even more special to do it in an adidas-sponsored race, in my adidas colours. I really love this race,” Kavanagh said.
“The weather was perfect today, and I was really blessed to execute a good race. Last year we ran with the men, and you always get pulled along by them, whereas today it was a solo race for me. I always train by myself, so I locked into that same mindset and the body responded nicely.”
“I was actually surprised that I ran a PB, as I wasn’t really going for that. I usually race on feel and effort, not time, so I only looked at my watch once during the race, and getting the PB is a really nice cherry on top for me.”
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Saturday’s programme formed part of a packed Sanlam Cape Town Marathon weekend, drawing a combined 44,500 participants across the Peace Runs and trail events. The sold-out 10km attracted 11,500 runners, while around 4,500 tackled the 5km event.
Spanish junior Iker Ortega Castro won the men’s 5km race, with Carmen Kensley taking the women’s honours. Mark Wilde finished third in the men’s race during his visit as a guest of the event.
More than 3,000 Sanlam employees also joined the festivities.
“Seeing over 3,000 Sanlam employees from across the continent come together to take part in this year’s Peace Runs is a powerful reminder of what confidence in action really looks like,” said Shadi Chauke.
“It is this collective spirit that continues to bring African Champions Unite to life, reminding us that progress is not achieved alone, but together as a community.”
Men:
1 Maxime Chaumeton (South Africa) 27:42
2 Thapelo Ramokhoase (South Africa) 28:34
3 Cwenga Nose (South Africa)
4 Arthur Jantjies (South Africa)
5 Luan Munnik (South Africa)
6 Awethu Ntsotho (South Africa) 29:27
7 Dewayne Mouries (South Africa) 30:03
8 Yanga Malusi(South Africa)
9 Keaton Lott (South Africa)
10 Alex Drover (Canada)
Women:
1 Tayla Kavanagh (South Africa) 31:26
2 Kyla Jacobs (South Africa)
3 Neheng Khatala (Lesotho)
4 Cacisile Sosibo (South Africa) 33:03
5 Carina Viljoen (South Africa)
6 Kirsti Bell (South Africa)
7 Mokgadi Semenya (South Africa) 35:54
8 Marie-Tinka Olivier (South Africa) 36:05
9 Riana Nel (South Africa)
10 Kimara Solms (South Africa)
PEACE RUN 5KM RESULTS
Men:
1 Iker Ortega Castro (Spain)
2 Jiunhung Chen (Taipei)
3 Mark Milde (Germany)
Women:
1 Carmen Kensley (South Africa) 17:53
2 Michelle Geldenhuys (South Africa) 18:07
3 Emma Winter (Great Britain)
