The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has been confirmed as the first Abbott World Marathon Major to be held on African soil. Following the successful staging of its 2026 race on 24 May, the event has passed the second and final stage of its Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) assessment, becoming the eighth member of the most prestigious series in marathon running globally.

The race joins seven of the sport’s most celebrated marathons…

The race joins seven of the sport’s most celebrated marathons, Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago and New York, and will formally enter the series at its next edition on 23 May 2027. Yet while becoming the eighth Major is a singular achievement, it is the event’s standing as Africa’s first that defines this moment in history.

“It gives me huge pleasure to welcome Cape Town to the family,” said AbbottWMM CEO Dawna Stone. “After watching the race grow in size and stature during its candidacy and also seeing the resilience and dedication of the team so wonderfully led 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.”

A Collective Victory: The achievement is, above all, a shared one. Becoming a Major was never the work of an event alone, but the result of years of collective effort by every community that rallied around the race. Residents, running clubs, volunteers, sponsors, supporters, service providers and city partners each played their part. Through the candidacy years, runners returned season after season, answering the call of the #YouDoCount campaign and building the entry numbers that carried the race toward passing AbbottWMM assessment criteria.

“This achievement belongs to every person who believed in and committed to this vision,” said Clark Gardner, CEO and race director of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. “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. The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon stands as proof that when Africa comes together, we can achieve anything. This victory belongs to all of them.”

That sentiment was echoed by the event’s title sponsor. “Today, we celebrate a collective victory,” said Sanlam Group CEO Paul Hanratty. “For 13 years, Sanlam has been part of this journey, walking alongside the event as a committed partner and supporting its growth into a world-class platform. We hope this moment inspires people across Africa to dream bigger, go further and live with confidence.”

A Major for Africa: For decades, the world’s marathon Majors lay thousands of kilometres from the continent that produces so many of the sport’s finest athletes, placing the achievement beyond reach of all but a few once the cost of international travel, visas and accommodation was counted. Africa’s first Major changes that. From the recreational runner pursuing a lifelong ambition to the elite chasing a world-class competition and exposure, runners across the continent can now line up for a Major on home soil.

The vision has always been anchored in a striking truth: approximately 80% of the world’s top 50 elite marathon runners hail from Africa. Yet it reaches far beyond the elite field and African excellence. At its heart, this is about access, about every African, every South African and every Capetonian who had longed to run a Major but never had one within reach. In honour of that purpose, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is committed to keeping two-thirds of its race entries available to African participants. The 2026 edition also welcomed Eliud Kipchoge, an eleven-time Major winner, two-time Olympic champion and widely regarded as the greatest marathon runner of all time, who chose Cape Town for his first official marathon on African soil, a sign of the stature the race now carries.

The milestone resonated with the event’s partners across the global running world. “As a proud partner of Boston, Berlin and now Cape Town, adidas is honoured to support an event that has earned its place among the world’s most iconic marathons,” said Jennifer Thomas, Vice President of Sports Marketing and Communities, Global Brands, adidas. “This milestone, Africa’s first Major, shines a global spotlight on the powerful running culture and creates new opportunities for athletes and communities across the continent.”

An Economic Milestone for Cape Town: The arrival of a Major also represents a substantial economic opportunity for Cape Town and the wider region, drawing international visitors, generating tourism revenue and creating opportunities across the local economy. The event is projected to contribute in the region of R800 million in the form of local travel, accommodation and meals alone.

“For Cape Town to be the home of an Abbott World Marathon Majors race is an incredible moment for our city,” said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. “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.”

Entries Now Open: The journey to the start line of Africa’s first Major begins immediately. The general ballot for the 2027 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is open from 10 June to 24 June 2026, with all applicants notified of the outcome on 26 June. Entries for the accompanying Peace Run and Trail Runs will open on 3 July 2026. Candidacy Club members have also received confirmation to select the year in which they wish to run, in recognition of their support for the marathon throughout its candidacy years. Entries are available at www.capetownmarathon.com.

For more information on the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, email media@capetownmarathon.com or visit www.capetownmarathon.com.

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