The energy on the streets of Cape Town on Sunday was nothing short of electric. Under crystal-clear autumn skies, the 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon did not just deliver a spectacular day of racing—it fundamentally rewrote the history books, shattering three of the four course records in front of an enthusiastic South African crowd.
In a breathtaking exhibition of elite distance running, Ethiopia’s Mohamed Esa crossed the Vlei Road finish line in a mind-blowing 2:04:55. In doing so, he obliterated the previous course record of 2:08:16 by over three minutes and delivered the fastest marathon ever run on the African continent, setting a new South African All-comers record.
While much of the pre-race buzz centered on Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, widely considered the greatest marathoner of all time, making his competitive debut on African soil (he ultimately finished 16th in 2:13:29), it was Esa who stole the show. He led a historic charge where the top ten men all finished under the previous course record.
On the women’s side, Ethiopia celebrated a clean sweep of the podium, spearheaded by Dera Dida’s commanding 2:23:18 victory. Meanwhile, the wheelchair divisions saw records absolutely decimated: British racing veteran David Weir clocked 1:30:20 to claim the men’s title, while Switzerland’s Manuela Schär obliterated the women’s wheelchair record by nearly ten minutes, crossing the line in 1:43:25.
What This Means for South Africa
This history-making weekend is a monumental milestone with far-reaching cultural, athletic, and economic implications for the nation.
The Path to Abbott World Marathon Major Status: The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is currently nearing the completion of phase 2 of the candidacy process to join the elite Abbott World Marathon Majors—the prestigious club that includes New York, London, Berlin, and Tokyo. By proving its course can produce world-class sub-2:05 times, Cape Town has shown it possesses the technical caliber and elite organization required to bring Africa its very first Major.
A Massive Boost for Sport Tourism: Elevating the marathon to Major status puts Cape Town on the map as one of the most sought-after global marathoning destinations. The influx of international athletes, media, and affluent spectators fills hotels, floods local restaurants, and provides a massive financial injection into the Western Cape’s hospitality sector.
Inspiring Local Athletic Talent: While international stars dominated the podiums, the event serves as a powerful catalyst for South African distance running. Legendary local runner Stephen Mokoka was the first South African home (13th in 2:10:48), followed by Matlakala Bennet Seloyi running a personal best, and debutant Anthony Timoteus. Earlier in the weekend, South African 10km record-holder Maxime Chaumeton won the Cape Town 10km Peace Run before turning around to act as a pacesetter for the elite women, demonstrating the incredible depth and future of local track and road running.
“If Sunday proved anything, it is that Cape Town is no longer knocking on the door of global marathon greatness. It is sprinting right through it.”
Ultimately, the weekend was a masterclass in athleticism and community. As thousands of everyday runners and spectators soaked up the vibrant Cape Town atmosphere against the backdrop of Table Mountain and the ocean, the city firmly cemented its reputation as a premier destination where lifestyle, culture, and historic sporting triumphs beautifully collide.
