The 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon delivered a memorable return this weekend as thousands of runners filled the streets of Cape Town for one of Africa’s biggest road races. With around 27,000 participants on the marathon start line and global attention on the event as it continues its bid to become the first African Abbott World Marathon Major, the atmosphere looked electric from start to finish.
In the elite race, Huseydin Mohamed Esa of Ethiopia claimed victory in the men’s marathon with a superb 2:04:55, setting a new course record. The women’s race was won by fellow Ethiopian Dera Dida Yami, who crossed the line in 2:23:18, leading an Ethiopian sweep at the front of the field. One of the weekend’s most talked about stories was also Eliud Kipchoge’s appearance in Cape Town, with the marathon legend finishing 16th in 2:13:29 as part of his global marathon tour.
Cape Town has quickly become one of the most exciting races on the international calendar, and this year’s edition felt especially significant after last year’s cancellation. Fast times, a world class field, huge crowds, and the stunning backdrop of the city made for a special day of racing. With another successful edition now complete, the road toward Cape Town’s World Marathon Major dream feels more real than ever.