'Cape Town will be more than a marathon' - Kipchoge
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 09.05.26. | 12:57
The two-time Olympic champion revealed that he hopes to raise at least one million dollars from each marathon (approximately Ksh129 million), funds that will go towards building libraries and supporting learning and environmental projects in Kenya and in every host city on the tour
Eliud Kipchoge's World Tour is getting closer with his first of seven marathon races, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, 24 May.
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The race will serve as the opening chapter for the former World Record holder's Running World, a series of seven marathons across all continents designed to inspire communities and unite the world through running.
"The World Tour is getting closer, and now it begins to feel real. In less than 4 weeks I will stand on the start line for my first marathon on African soil, at home, where I truly belong, surrounded by the spirit that first inspired me to run.
To run in front of a home crowd, to feel that passion and hear that wild support along every kilometer is something I have been looking forward to for a long time. Cape Town, this will be more than a marathon. It will be a celebration of home, of connection, and of the spirit that lives in our beautiful continent," Kipchoge says.
The multiple World Marathon Majors champion admits it feels odd to be running in Africa for the first time despite a career spanning 23 years. "In South Africa when I will be running, it will be a different game all together because nearly 90 percent will be my African people. This will be a real different kind of marathon.
I think it will mean alot to my fellow Africans because they will actually see me in their home ground. Many will come out to run with me and spread the gospel of running in Cape Town and all through South Africa.
I am expecting a wild crowd because that is my home, where I was born and where I want to give a huge inspiration and love ," Kipchoge offers.
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is currently a candidate for Abbott World Marathon Majors status and a second successful pass will see the African race officially join the global running series.
Kipchoge and the other 27,000 expected runners will be granted a provisional star which will be upgraded should Cape Town become a full Major.
For Kipchoge, who received his Six Star Medal in New York in November, Cape Town will be his eighth star, having also run the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS last summer.
