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Kipchoge's effect? Africa lands first World Marathon Major race
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 10.06.26. | 21:16
The development comes after the successful staging of this year's event, which attracted the fastest field ever assembled on the continent
Africa has landed a first Abbott World Marathon Major, this after the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in South Africa was on Wednesday, 10 June confirmed as the eighth member of the most prestigious series in marathon running globally.
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The development comes after the event passed the second and final test of its Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM) assessment, following its successful staging of the 2026 race on Sunday, 24 May.
“It gives me huge pleasure to welcome Cape Town to the family,” Abbott WMM CEO Dawna Stone said. “After watching the race grow in size and stature during its candidacy and also seeing the resilience and dedication of the team lead so wonderfully by Clark Gardner, Africa’s first Major has finally arrived.
“The unique culture, the welcome from the people of the city and the wonderful setting Cape Town provides will bring a whole new dimension to our series. I know runners in Africa and across the world will have a phenomenal experience at this race.”
After failing in its Major attempt last year, the marathon organizers rallied to put together a historic race in 2026, which attracted its biggest international contingent to date, with some 8,500 international entries, including participants in the 2026 Abbott World Marathon Majors Marathon Tours and Travel Age Group World Championships.
In addition, the marathon attracted some of the biggest names in long-distance running, headlined by double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge, and Kenya’s evergreen runner Edna Kiplagat.
With the right weather conditions this time round, the marathon also witnessed the shattering of three of its four course records, placing itself as the home to the fastest field ever assembled for an African marathon.
“This achievement belongs to every person who believed in and committed to this vision,” Clark Gardner, CEO and race director of the Cape Town Marathon, said. “We could never have reached this moment alone. Our runners carried us to the numbers we needed, our sponsors and partners stood firm beside us even when the 2025 race could not go ahead, and our supporters, club captains, residents and service providers each played their part. Cape Town Marathon stands as proof that when Africa comes together, we can achieve anything. This victory belongs to all of them.”
With the Major nod, Cape Town Marathon now joins a studded list of world-class destinations, including: New York, Chicago, London, Sydney, Berlin, Tokyo and Boston.
“For Cape Town to be the home of an Abbott World Marathon Majors race is an incredible moment for our city,” Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said. “Achieving this milestone will contribute greatly to Cape Town’s economy, inspire future generations of runners, and leave a legacy for the sport across Africa.”