Why Kipchoge is drumming support for Cape Town Marathon’s World Major bid

Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge says he is “really rooting” for the Cape Town Marathon to officially become an Abbott World Marathon Major.

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The double Olympic marathon champion voiced his support for the race on Tuesday, 19 May, moments after jetting in at the city that will act as the first stop for his Eliud’s Running World Tour.

The tour is a project involving a series of seven marathons across all continents over the next two years, with an aim to inspire healthier lifestyles, and unite people worldwide through running.

“Africa is where my journey as a runner began, and where the foundation of my success is deeply rooted,” the 41-year-old said shortly after landing at the Cape Town International Airport, where he was met by Mayor of the City of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, and CEO of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Clark Gardner.

“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. Also, to race my first ever marathon on the African continent holds deep meaning for me, and I cannot wait.”

Kipchoge’s presence in the race set for Sunday, 24 May cannot be understated, as it will also mark Cape Town’s second and possibly final assessment to become the first African marathon ever admitted to the Majors.

The event last year blew its chance to earn the world’s eighth-Major spot, when infrastructure and route damage caused by dangerously high winds caused the race to be cancelled on the actual day.

On Sunday, another chance will come by again, and Kipchoge is committed to seeing Cape Town join a prestigious list that also includes: Berlin, London, Chicago, New York, Tokyo and Sydney.

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“I know South Africa is a really sporting nation, but I want to make more and more South Africans run,” the first man to run a marathon in under two hours, said. “Above all, I want to run a beautiful race with all 27,000 people who have registered to participate in the marathon.

It will be a beautiful day, it will be a historic day for all of us, to assemble as Africans and run together, go through the finishing line, and make Cape Town a World Major Marathon.”

The 2026 edition of the race is expected to draw 27,000 marathon runners, including a field of world-class elite runners, and wheelchair athletes.

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A further 17,500 will take part in the accompanying 10km and 5km Peace Runs, as well as the Cape Town Trail Marathon, 22km and 11km trail runs, which take place on Saturday, 23 May.

That means a combined field of 44,500 participants will be in action over the weekend of the event, making it one of the largest running events on the African continent.

“Cape Town is a beautiful city, and I hope on Sunday it will be a beautiful race, whereby we bring all the people out to run in the streets,” Kipchoge added. “I want to help grow this event to 60,000 participants, and help it become a Major. As an African, I’m rooting for it, I’m pushing for it.

We don’t have a Major marathon in Africa yet, but this is a growing continent, and it’s our time as Africans to have Cape Town as one of the World Majors.”

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