Sanlam Cape Town Marathon recently celebrated 50 days to race day with the announcement of their headline stars for the fourteenth edition, which will see South African and African athletes take centre stage among the sold-out field of 24000. 

The elite women’s field is headlined by Gerda Steyn, the queen of South African ultra-running…

The race seeks to elevate running on the continent, and part of this is ensuring the race has a competitive elite athlete field, which includes six platinum and eight gold status elite athletes.  All 14 athletes hail from Africa, and each is capable of breaking the existing course records. 

Elite Women’s Field

The elite women’s field is headlined by Gerda Steyn, the queen of South African ultra-running, who is excited to be lining up for this year’s event.  Glenrose Xaba has the course record, which she set last year when she crossed the finish line in 02:22:22, breaking the previous Cape Town Marathon record of 02:26:25, which Steyn set back in 2021.  

The presence of Kenya’s Winfridah Moseti (2:16:56), Angela Tanui (2:17:57), also of Kenya, and Ethiopian 2024 runner-up Mare Dibaba (2:19:59) should ensure a fast time and a competitive edition. 

The four-time Comrades Marathon winner and six-time Two Oceans champion Steyn said she can’t wait to share the beautiful route with thousands of fellow runners.  “The event has always been close to my heart, and the last time I ran this race was in 2021. I can still remember crossing the finish line that day. I felt so proud that we have such an amazing race here on South African soil.” 

Elite Men’s Field

New South African marathon record holder Elroy Geland’s time of 2:05:36 is quick enough to worry the East African favourites, and is faster by a slender 4 seconds than the best effort of Ethiopia’s Boki Kebede Asefa. Kenyan Ronald Korit, with a personal best of 02:04:22, is the fastest man on the start list, just ahead of his countryman, Bethwel Chumba Kibet, who holds a 02:04:37.  

If they can get close to those times, the 02:08:16 course record, set by Abdisa Tola in 2024, will definitely be challenged. 

Africa’s status as the home of distance running’s best athletes deserves a race which allows the continent’s best to excel on home soil. 

Event CEO Clark Gardner added that with the City of Cape Town’s help, together with the citizens of the Mother City, the event achieved an unconditional pass for Stage 1 of their Abbott World Marathon Majors candidacy in 2024.

“In 2025, we are undertaking Stage 2 and have secured the best elite marathon field in the race’s history. Where London and New York vie to be the biggest marathons in the world, we believe the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon can be the best. Our beautiful route, the dedication of our sponsors and partners, and the enthusiasm of the city’s runners and residents are key to achieving this feat,” said Gardner.

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