By Adnaan Mohamed
The Mother City is set to host a marathon that could rewrite its record books. The 2025 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, staged on Sunday, 19 October, features a lightning-fast field.
The line-up includes two men under 2:05, four more below 2:06, and another four beneath 2:07.
The women’s line-up boasts athletes with personal bests of 2:16, 2:17 and 2:18, plus two more who have broken 2:20. This combination thas pundits sharpening pencils for new course records.
Records on the Edge
Both course records set in 2024 are within striking distance. Ethiopia’s Abdisa Tola ran 2:08:15, while South Africa’s Glenrose Xaba scorched the women’s mark at 2:22:22, eclipsing national and continental times. Xaba’s performance sliced nearly two minutes off Gerda Steyn’s former SA record and redefined the standard for women’s marathon running on African soil.
On the men’s side, Tola’s time edged close to the South African all-comers mark of 2:08:04 (an aided downhill mark from 1986). The fastest legal time on South African soil remains Stephen Mokoka’s 2:08:31 (2018), a benchmark now squarely in the elite field’s sights.
Men’s Showdown: Elroy Gelant Takes Aim
The front pack reads like a who’s who of marathon royalty. Kenya’s Ronald Korir (PB 2:04:22) and Bethwell Chumba Kibet (2:04:37) headline, joined by Morocco’s Othmane El Goumri (2:05:12). Yet the man drawing the loudest local attention is South Africa’s Elroy Gelant, fresh from a national-record 2:05:36 in Hamburg.
“My goal is to improve on my previous best SCTM time. Running in front of a home crowd gives me wings. The Cape Town route is honest and fast. I believe we can push it to new limits.,” said Elroy Gelant
Season form now places Gelant atop the 2025 pecking order, followed by Korir and El Goumri. Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana (national record 2:06:18) and Kenya’s Justus Kangogo also loom as pace-setters. Veterans such as three-time champion Stephen Mokoka, despite turning 40 in 2025, remain potential disruptors.
Women’s Race: Fire Meets Form
The women’s contest promises equal drama. Winfridah Moraa Moseti of Kenya headlines with a 2025 PB of 2:16:56 from Tokyo, while compatriot Angela Tanui and Ethiopia’s Meseret Belete bring sub-2:19 speed.
“The course, the crowd, the energy, it all pushes you forward. If the weather plays along, we can chase history,” said Winfridah Moraa Moseti
Back home, Gerda Steyn returns following wins at Two Oceans and Comrades; her marathon PB of 2:24:03 suggests she may be primed to reclaim speed over the classic 42.195km distance.
Wheelchair Division: Rivals Roll Again
The wheelchair races set up a rematch between Japan’s Sho Watanabe and the Netherlands’ Geert Schipper, separated by a photo-finish in 2024 when both clocked 1:37:33.
“This race always comes down to heart and timing. Cape Town pushes us to the limit—literally.” — Geert Schipper
Defending women’s champion Michelle Wheeler (USA) returns, while an international crop of newcomers adds depth and unpredictability to the field.
The Road to Major Status
Beyond trophies and split times, the 2025 race carries extra weight: the event is in Phase 2 of the Abbott World Marathon Majors candidacy process, aiming to become Africa’s first Major.
The race’s Platinum and Gold Label athletes help tick essential boxes for that bid.
With a world-class elite line-up, a scenic yet fast route, and passionate local support, Cape Town looks poised to sprint into the global marathon spotlight once more.
Race date: Sunday, 19 October 2025
Official site: capetownmarathon.com
Elite Men’s Field: Personal Bests
Ronald Korir (Kenya) 2:04:22 (Berlin, 2023)
Bethwell Chumba Kibet (Kenya) 2:04:37 (Amsterdam, 2023)
Othmane El Goumri (Morocco) 2:05:12 (Barcelona, 2023)
Elroy Gelant (South Africa) 2:05:36 (Hamburg, 2025)
Asefa Boki Kebede (Ethiopia) 2:05:40 (Amsterdam, 2024)
Justus Kangogo (Kenya) 2:05:57 (Berlin 2023)
Luke Kiprop (Kenya) 2:06:39 (Berlin, 2024)
Stephen Mokoka (South Africa) 2:06:42 (Osaka, 2023)
Isaac Mpofu (Zimbabwe) 2:06:48 (Boston 2022)
Hendrick Pfeiffer (Germany) 2:07:14 (Houston, 2024)
Vincent Kipyegon Ronoh (Kenya) 2:08:32 (Eindhoven, 2025)
Shadrack Kipkemboi Kebenei (Kenya) 2:08:45 (Ho Chi Min, 2023)
Adam Lipshitz (South Africa) 2:08:54 (Valencia, 2024)
Desmond Mokgobu (South Africa) 2:09:13 (Valencia, 2020)
Thabang Mosiako (South Africa) 2:09:14 (Abu Dhabi, 2024)
Melikhaya Frans (South Africa) 2:09:24 (Eugene, 2022)
Josphat Bett Kipkoech (Kenya) 2:10:01 (Nairobi, 2024)
Dagnachew Adere Maru (Ethiopia) 2:10:21 (Daegu, 2023)
Ashenafi Negese (Ethiopia) 2:10:38 (Madrid, 2025)
Moses Njoroge (Kenya) 2:11:06 (Nairobi, 2025)
Tumelo Motlagale (South Africa) 2:11:15 (Durban, 2022)
Jeremia Shaliaxwe (Namibia) 2:12:36 (Durban, 2024)
Samson Keiyo (Kenya) 2:12:52 (Ravenna, 2024)
Milton Kekana (South Africa) 2:13:14 (Durban, 2024)
Dennis Kipkosgei (Kenya) 2:13:54 (Madrid, 2024)
Raydon Balie (South Africa) 2:15:58 (Durban, 2024)
Thabang Mathebula (South Africa) 2:17:06 (Durban, 2025)
Tukiso Motlomelo (Lesotho) 2:17:10 (Cape Town, 2024)
Lekhotla Pulinyana (South Africa) 2:18:58 (Pietermaritzburg, 2025)
Diriba Situm (Ethiopia) 2:19:11 (Dubai, 2024)
George Kusche (South Africa) 2:20:12 (Cape Town, 2024)
Marko Bucarizza (South Africa) 2:23:14 (Eindhoven, 2023)
Xolisa Ndlumbini (South Africa) 2:25:43 (Cape Town 2021)
Khaya Gqwetha (South Africa) 2:31:03 (Cape Town 2021)
Paul Chirchir (Kenya) 2:32:23 (Kuala Lumpur, 2019)
Kamohelo Mofolo (Lesotho) Debut
Pacesetters for Men’s Race
Tebello Ramakongoana (Lesotho)
Samachw Sewnet (Ethiopia)
Victor Kiplimo Sawe (Kenya)
Vincent Kimaiyo (Kenya)
Elite Women’s Field
Winfridah Moseti (Kenya) 2:16:56 (Tokyo, 2025)
Angela Tanui (Kenya) 2:17:57 (Amsterdam, 2021)
Meseret Belete (Ethiopia) 2:18:21 (Amsterdam 2023)
Meseret Abebayehu (Ethiopia) 2:19:50 (Amsterdam, 2023)
Mare Dibaba (Ethiopia) 2:19:52 (Dubai, 2012)
Amid Fozya Jemal (Ethiopia) 2:21:53 (Dubai, 2024)
Meseret Gebre (Ethiopia) 2:23:11 (Barcelona, 2022)
Joan Amani Mursi Kipyatich (Kenya) 2:23:45 (Doha, 2024)
Mercy Kwambai (Kenya) 2:23:58 (Xiamen, 2025)
Gerda Steyn (South Africa) 2:24:03 (Valencia, 2023)
Netsanet Gudeta (Ethiopia) 2:25:16 (Prague, 2025)
Rachael Chebet (Uganda) 2:26:10 (Rotterdam, 2025)
Selam Fente (Ethiopia) 2:28:22 (Rome, 2025)
Almenesh Herpu (Ethiopia) 2:28:50 (Dubai, 2025)
Emane Seifu (Ethiopia) 2:30:14 (Buenos Aires, 2025)
Stella Marais (South Africa) 2:38:22 (Cape Town, 2022)
Carla Molinaro (Great Britain) 2:38:35 (Valencia, 2024)
Pacesetters for Women’s Race
Muhammed Husen (Ethiopia)
Nicolas Kipkosgei Cheromei (Keya)
Men’s Wheelchair Field
Geert Schipper (Netherlands)
Sho Watanabe (Japan)
Rafael Botello Jimenez (Spain)
Michael McCabe (United Kingdom)
Kota Hokinoue (Japan)
Lito King Anker (Netherlands)
Hiroki Nishida (Japan)
Tiaan Bosch (South Africa)
Women’s Wheelchair Field
Vanessa Cristina De Souza (Brazil)
Michelle Wheeler (USA)
Marie Emmanuelle Anais Noemi Alphonse (Mauritius)
Hannah Babalola (USA)
Yeni Aide Hernandez Mendieta (Mexico)
Rita Cuccuru (Italy)
Lucia Montenegro (Argentina)
Chelsea Stein (USA)
