The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon joins Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York and Sydney on marathon running’s biggest stage.
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has officially secured its place in history as the first African race to join the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM) series, marking a landmark moment for African road running after a successful five-year candidacy process.
The announcement follows the race’s final evaluation during the 2026 edition held on May 24, where organizers met the rigorous standards required for inclusion in the global marathon series. As a result, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon becomes the eighth Abbott World Marathon Major, joining an elite roster that includes the Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City, Sydney, and now Cape Town marathons.
Its official debut as a World Marathon Major is scheduled for May 23, 2027, a milestone expected to elevate African marathon running onto an unprecedented global stage.
The achievement is particularly significant given Africa’s long-standing dominance in distance running. Despite producing nearly 80 percent of the world’s elite marathon athletes, the continent has never before hosted a World Marathon Major. Cape Town’s elevation to Major status finally brings one of the sport’s most coveted events to African soil.
The 2026 race proved pivotal in securing the upgrade, highlighted by the participation of marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge in his first official Major race held in Africa. Organizers confirmed that the event successfully met stringent requirements across elite competition standards, operational excellence, race logistics, and athlete experience.
In a move designed to preserve the race’s African identity, two-thirds of all entry allocations under the new World Marathon Major framework will be reserved for African runners, ensuring strong continental representation while expanding global participation.
Beyond its sporting significance, the World Marathon Major designation is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits. Industry experts project a significant boost to South Africa’s tourism and hospitality sectors ahead of the inaugural Major edition in May 2027, with increased international visitor numbers, greater global media exposure, and enhanced investment opportunities positioning Cape Town as a premier destination on the global running calendar.
The historic inclusion of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in the Abbott World Marathon Majors not only reshapes the future of African distance running but also cements the continent’s rightful place at the heart of the global marathon movement.
