Could the Cape Town Marathon be a World Major by 2026?

Strongest Elite Field Ever Assembled on African Soil Set to Compete in 2024 


BY MIKE FINCH |

Organisers are hoping that the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon will finally be admitted as one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors by 2026.

If they succeed the race will become part of an elite world circuit that includes the Tokyo, London, Boston, Berlin, New York and Chicago marathons and will be the only race of its stature on the African continent. Since the race was revitalised with Sanlam as a sponsor in 2014, and awarded World Athletics Silver Label status, there has been talk of it becoming Africa’s only marathon Major. But the long process has finally got organisers within range of the achievement this year.

“There’s a three-year process where you are assessed,” race CEO Clark Gardner said at the 40-day countdown to this year’s race.  “We’ve had one year of assessment (in 2023) and now we need to meet that criteria for two successive years to pass stage 1.

“For stage 2 it becomes a little more onerous, especially around the elite field, and we need to pass that in 2025 and then, two weeks later, we can be announced as an Abbott World Marathon Major.”

So how confident is Gardner that the race is on track?

“We’ve put it all out there. We have a good plan and I think we have all the goods. It’s now about executing the plan and I’m confident the team can do it on the day.”

The race is currently considered a candidate race and also announced a strong field for this year’s event that has already sold out with 21 000 entries.

The field for this year’s race on October 20 boasts an impressive line-up including:

  • 2 former world champions
  • 1 world championship silver medallist 
  • 1 Olympic bronze medallist
  • 1 All Africa Games champion 
  • 13 Abbott World Marathon Majors medals, five of which are gold
  • 1 former world record holder
  • 10 World Athletics Gold Label elites

The stakes are higher than ever with a prize pool of $50,000 (R898 000) on offer for the top podium finishers. Both the men’s and women’s marathon champions will take home $25,000 (R448 000), while the second and third-place finishers will receive $15,000 (R269 000) and $10,000 (R179 000), respectively.

Battle for the South African Marathon Record
All eyes will be on South African athletes Glenrose Xaba and Cian Oldknow as they both aim to make history. Xaba, in her marathon debut, has already proven herself by breaking Elana Meyer’s 23-year-old 10 km record and reigning supreme over multiple distances, including 5000m, 10000m and 10km. As she transitions to the marathon distance, Xaba’s rise will pose a significant threat to the established marathoners.

On the other hand, Cian Oldknow’s marathon PB of 2:25:08 from the Seville Marathon in February earlier this year, is the second fastest time by a South African. Oldknow was crowned SA Marathon Champion at the Durban International Marathon in April with a 2:29:46. She’s on a mission to claim the South African women’s marathon record, a fierce contest that may unfold between her and Xaba. With both athletes at the peak of their powers, the race will be nothing short of spectacular.

Defending Champions Return
The 2023 winners of the Cape Town Marathon, Tsige Haileslase (Ethiopia) and Adane Kebede Gebre (Ethiopia), will return to defend their titles. Haileslase, who crossed the finish line last year with a personal best of 2:24:17, is back and determined to secure back-to-back victories. Gebre, a force to be reckoned with in the men’s race, will also face fierce competition as he aims for consecutive wins against this year’s stacked field.

International Elite Athletes
In addition to the South African and defending champions, several global stars will compete, including:

  • Lelisa Desisa (Ethiopia), former World Champion (2019), all African Games winner, and winner of multiple international marathons (New York & Boston).
  • Dennis Kipruto Kimetto (Kenya), 2014 marathon world record holder (2:02:51) and winner of major marathons in Berlin and Chicago.
  • Mare Dibaba (Ethiopia), World Champion and Olympic bronze medalist, who remains a dominant figure in marathon running.
  • Tebello Ramakongoana (Lesotho), placed 7th at the Paris Olympics, and has a marathon PB of 2:07:58 (2024).

Course Records and Route Expectations
The Cape Town Marathon course records, currently held by Stephen Mokoka (2:08:32, Men, 2018) and Meseret Dinke Meleka (2:24:02, Women, 2022), are set to be tested by the incredible depth of talent in this year’s field. With the South African marathon records of 2:06:33 for men and 2:24:03 for women within reach, 2024 may see new national records being written.

READ MORE ON: cape-town-marathon

Copyright © 2024 Hearst
..