adidas is bringing its highly sought-after Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 to South Africa for the first time, with limited pairs set to be available at the Sanlam Cape Town MarathonExpo from 21 to 23 May.
The racing shoe, regarded as the fastest and lightest marathon shoe produced by adidas, sold out within minutes during its international release and has become one of the most talked-about innovations in long-distance running.
Designed as adidas’ first official sub-2-hour marathon shoe, the Pro Evo 3 was developed to push the limits of speed and efficiency, carrying runners forward like a surge through the final stretch of a marathon.
“Our goal was two digits on the scale, with better performance than we’ve ever had,” said Stephan Scholten, adidas Vice President of Product.
The shoe weighs under 100 grams and features adidas’ latest Lightstrike Pro Evo foam, which is nearly 50% lighter than previous versions. adidas said the 39mm stack height is designed to maximise cushioning, propulsion and energy return.
At the centre of the shoe is the new ENERGYRIM technology, a carbon-integrated system developed to improve stability and energy transfer while maintaining a lightweight structure.
The upper has been engineered using inspiration from kitesurfing sail technology to create a near weightless feel, while strategically placed Continental™ rubber on the outsole provides traction at high speeds.
“To have the Pro Evo 3 available in South Africa at such a major moment for local running is incredibly special,” said Tom Brown, Senior Brand Director at adidas South Africa.
“This shoe represents the future of marathon racing, and bringing it to the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Expo gives local runners the chance to experience one of the most advanced performance innovations in the sport right now.”
The launch follows a string of headline performances by adidas athletes on the global stage.Sabastian Sawe and Yomif Kejelcha both ran sub-2-hour marathons at the London Marathon, clocking 1:59.30 and 1:59.41 respectively. Tigist Assefa also set a women-only marathon world record of 2:15.41.
The Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 will retail for R9 999, while the Hyperboost Edge, which will also launch at the expo, is priced at R4 499.
In the narrow cobbled lanes of Dorp Street in Bo-Kaap, rugby flows through the neighbourhood like the south-easter whipping around Table Mountain. On Saturdays, the streets empty. Families gather around televisions or pack into club grounds. The game lives in the rhythm of the community.
Now one of its daughters is carrying that heartbeat onto the international stage.
Insaaf Levy is preparing to become the first qualified medical doctor to represent the senior Springbok Women side at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Nairobi.
Insaaf Levy when she is not on the rugby field Image: Instagram
At 23, Levy already moves through life with the composure of a seasoned scrumhalf guiding forwards around the park. In March, she completed her medical degree at the University of Cape Town while continuing to sharpen her craft for DHL Western Province Women.
Balancing medicine and elite rugby is like trying to defend a five-metre scrum with one shoulder. The physical and mental demands rarely leave space to breathe. Yet Levy navigated both worlds with the precision of a long spiral pass fired into the chest of a charging runner.
Her rise to the national squad under headcoach Swys de Bruin feels significant far beyond rugby.
Insaaf Levy in action on the rugby field Image: Instagram
This is a story stitched together by family, community and relentless repetition.
Levy grew up in one of Cape Town’s richest rugby bloodlines. Her father, Labeeb Levy, is a respected Stormersskills coach and current Stormers XXIII head coach. Her maternal grandfather, the late Sedick Sieed, remains a revered figure in Cape rugby circles from the Saru era.
Inside the Levy household, rugby conversations arrive as naturally as dinner.
“We always talking about rugby in our household,” Levy said.
“My dad would go from a normal conversation about literally anything else. He would think about something he saw and then the conversation just switches.”
That constant education shaped her rugby intelligence long before provincial colours arrived.
At seven years old, Levy began playing touch rugby and quickly emerged as one of the country’s brightest talents. She represented South Africa at the Youth Touch World Cup in Malaysia in 2018 and later featured at senior Touch World Cups in Malaysia and England. Her sporting versatility stretched further into netball, where she represented the Western Province U21 side while studying medicine.
Every layer of that journey helped fashion the calm, instinctive scrumhalf now standing on the edge of Springbok selection.
“As a scrumhalf, passing has been my main focus since I was younger,” Levy explained.
“My dad would say come after supper you have to pass 500 balls left and right, then you can go do what you want.”
Those repetitions became the bricks of her game. Her passing now zips across the field like a ball skimming off wet turf under floodlights.
Levy studies the craft obsessively. She admires Antoine Dupont and Aaron Smith for their control of tempo and tactical awareness, while drawing local inspiration from Felicia Jacobs.
Yet rugby in Bo-Kaap is never an individual story.
Haashim Pead and Insaaf levy firing passes on a tennis court in Bo-Kaap as children
The same streets that nurtured Levy also shaped risingJunior Springbok scrumhalf Haashim Pead. Video clips of the pair as children firing passes on a tennis court now feel like snapshots of a community producing talent with assembly-line consistency.
The rugby roots run even deeper through her younger sister, Nuha Levy, a gifted flyhalf already excelling for South Africa Women U18 and DHL Western Province Women U20. Earlier this month, Nuha steered WP to the national U20 Women’s Week title in Alberton.
Together, the sisters carry the tantalising possibility of one day becoming a Springbok halfback pairing forged in Bo-Kaap’s rugby furnace.
Nuha and her sister Insaaf Levy could one day play together for the Springbok Women Image: Instagram
For Levy, however, identity stretches beyond sport.
She speaks proudly about her late grandfathers, Sedick Sieed and Tahir Levy, whose influence grounded her in service and humility.
“Papa [Tahir Levy] selflessly dedicated his entire life to serve his community as an activist and social worker,” she said.
That spirit of service now shapes both halves of her life.
“Studying medicine while playing rugby was tough to manage,” Levy admitted.
“Now that I am qualified and working, I am looking forward to not only serving the ball from the base of a scrum but also being of service to my community as a doctor.”
Swys de Bruin, head coach of the Springbok Women Image: SA Rugby
De Bruin believes those qualities elevate her value within the squad.
“Insaaf earned this opportunity through consistency, game understanding and work ethic,” he said.
“She reads space very well; she has a calm temperament under pressure and her decision-making around the breakdown impressed us throughout the season.”
South Africa’s Rugby Africa Women’s Cup campaign against Madagascar, Uganda and Kenya is another building block ahead of a demanding international season that includes Tests against the USA and the Black Ferns.
The 2026Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10Kis set to raise the pace and the pressure, with organisers unveiling a lucrative prize structure aimed at attracting elite performances on one of South Africa’s fastest road running courses.
The race, which celebrates its ninth anniversary on 12 July, forms part of the five-leg Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series that carries a combined prize purse of R1.686 million this year.
Each event on the series calendar offers total prize money of R337 200, with R267 200 allocated to the men’s and women’s open categories. Winners in Durban will earn R33 000, while second and third place finishers take home R24 000 and R21 000 respectively.
Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K by Geoff Redman
An additional R70 000 per event has been set aside for age category athletes, including juniors and runners over 40.
Organisers have also introduced substantial incentives for South African athletes capable of producing world-class times.
In the men’s race, athletes who break 27 minutes stand to earn a R300 000 bonus, while women who run faster than 30:20 will receive the same reward. A new South African record will carry an added R50 000 incentive.
Further bonuses will reward consistency across the series, with athletes earning extra payouts for repeated sub-28-minute performances in the men’s division and sub-32:08 performances in the women’s race.
Michael Meyer, race foundersaid the incentives are designed to reward excellence and elevate the standard of local road running.
“An impressive prize purse is a key pillar of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, as it not only plays a vital role in attracting a competitive elite field and motivating everyday runners to push beyond their limits and deliver personal best performances, but also serves as a welcomed and deserved reward for athletes who put in the hard work and commitment to excel,” Meyer said.
“With Durban’s fast, flat course, this is the one event where quick times, personal bests, and record-breaking performances are always on the cards. Durban never disappoints. We look forward to witnessing world-class racing at its best on South African soil.”
The race starts on Masabalala Yengwa Avenue and finishes at Sunkist Lawns on the Durban Promenade.
The Vodacom United Rugby Championship(URC) playoffs will feature three South African teams after a dramatic final round delivered a cocktail of celebration and frustration for the country’s franchises.
The Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers earned prized home URC quarter-finalswith emphatic statements in Pretoria and despite defeat in Cardiff respectively, while the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions scraped into the playoffs after stumbling in Limerick. The Hollywoodbets Sharks ended their campaign with a fireworks display in Durban.
The Bulls charged like a runaway scrum at Loftus Versfeld, flattening Benetton Rugby 45-19 to secure fourth place and a home quarter-final against Munster Rugby. Johan Ackermann’s men crossed for seven tries and stretched their winning streak to six matches.
Sergeal Petersen bagged a brace, while Willie le Roux, Johan Grobbelaar, Cobus Wiese, Celimpilo Gumede and Ruan Nortje also powered over. Handre Pollard added five conversions with the precision of a metronome steering a backline orchestra.
Benetton’s resistance came through Louis Lynagh’s double and a try by Rhyno Smith, though the visitors spent most of the evening chasing shadows across the Highveld turf.
In Wales, Cardiff slammed the brakes on the Stormers’ hopes of a top-two finish with a gritty 22-16 victory at Cardiff Arms Park. The Cape side burst from the blocks like sprinters off the starter’s gun, but Cardiff’s defence became a brick wall around the tryline.
Adre Smith scored early for the Stormers, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu added a conversion and three penalties. Cardiff struck through Jacob Beetham’s brace, Tom Bowen and Ioan Lloyd to seal a quarter-final rematch in Cape Town.
The Lions, meanwhile, slipped to a 24-17 defeat against Munster in Limerick, leaving them with the daunting challenge of facing defending champions Leinster Rugby in Dublin.
Down in Durban, the Sharks signed off in style by crushing Zebre Parma 54-19. Siya Kolisi produced a captain’s farewell worthy of a stadium ovation with two tries, while Jaco Williams, Zekethelo Siyaya, Vusi Moyo, Emmanuel Tshituka, Le Roux Malan and Ross Braude also crossed the whitewash.
The result secured 10th place for the Sharks and offered a glimpse of a side beginning to sharpen its claws for future campaigns.
South African sprinter Gift Leotlela produced a major statement at the opening meeting of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League season after storming to victory in the men’s 100m in Shanghai on Saturday.
Leotlela clocked 9.97 seconds in a race decided by the narrowest of margins, with the top three separated by hundredths of a second in a dramatic photo finish.
Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala took second in 9.98 after being added late to the field, while American sprinter Kenny Bednarek matched that time for third place.
It marked the firstDiamond League victory of Leotlela’s career and continued a strong rise for the South African, who carried a personal best of 9.87 into the meeting.
“It means a lot to win my first-ever Diamond League,” Leotlela said afterwards.
“It is a first time in China for me, so to finish number one was a great feeling. I wanted to come here and enjoy myself and make a good start to the season.”
Leotlela said he focused more on execution than the clock in a field packed with proven international performers.
“I knew I am in great shape, but I didn’t want to think about time, just focus on my race. I had a decent start, not great. I just tried to keep my composure, stay in my rhythm and stay strong.”
The performance will strengthen belief that Leotlela can challenge consistently on the global stage this season, particularly with major championships looming later in the year.
“The main goal for me in 2026 is to win the Commonwealth Games and then on to the Ultimate Championships at the end of the season,” he said.
South Africa’s Akani Simbinefinished sixth in 10.05, while Botswana Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo crossed seventh in 10.12 after balancing 100m and 400m races earlier this season.
The 2026 Wanda Diamond League season continues in Xiamen on 23 May before travelling to stops including Rome, Paris, London and Zurich ahead of the final in Brussels on 4 and 5 September 2026.
Inspired by Cape Town’s running culture and coastal identity, the range blends performance apparel with bold African-inspired design. The collection features Dusky Petrol and Lucid Aquamarine colourways, complemented by gold detailing symbolising the marathon’s growing global ambition.
The range includes technical race jackets, training T-shirts, caps, visors and the latest version of the adizero Boston 13 running shoe.
The Boston 13 features adidas’ Lightstrike Pro midsole and energy rod system, alongside a uniquely African print design created specifically for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.
The collection is available online and at selected adidas stores nationwide.
“Every year theSanlam Cape Town Marathon takes a stride forward with regards to its scale and stature. This race is unique as it is distinctly African symbol of community, culture, and world-class running,” said Tom Brown.
“This collection allows runners and supporters alike to celebrate this special moment as Cape Town continues its push toward becoming Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Major.”
As part of the build-up to race weekend, adidas will also host a marathon activation at the historic Union Castle Building square at the V&A Waterfront from 16 to 24 May.
The pop-up hub will stock official marathon merchandise and serve as a gathering point for runners through a series of daily events and community activities.
Among the scheduled events are long runs, recovery sessions, taper runs and shakeout runs, alongside product customisation opportunities. A DHL Stormerssigning session is also planned for 19 May.
Runners preparing for race weekend will also have access to pre-race hair and nail services, while finishers can return with their medals for free engraving after the event.
The activation is aimed at creating a race-week atmosphere for local and international runners visiting Cape Town ahead of one of Africa’s flagship road running events.
The country’s junior team led the charge, finishing top of the continental medal table with 25 gold, 15 silver and 12 bronze medals, while the senior squad claimed nine gold, 13 silver and 10 bronze medals to place third behind Egypt and hosts Algeria.
Eighteen-year-old Scarlett le Roux produced one of the standout performances of the championships after winning five individual gold medals in the freestyle events.
Le Roux completed a clean sweep from the 100m to the 1500m freestyle races, touching first in the 100m freestyle in 58.36 seconds, the 200m freestyle in 2:06.45, the 400m freestyle in 4:25.37, the 800m freestyle in 9:13.65 and the 1500m freestyle in 17:34.04.
Scarlett le Roux – Photo Credit: Africa Aquatics
Cassidy Burgess also enjoyed a successful campaign, collecting three individual gold medals and two silvers across the butterfly and backstroke disciplines.
In the junior boys’ competition, Adrian van Wyk secured four gold medals and a bronze, while Zaine Niemand added three gold medals to South Africa’s tally.
Senior swimmer Isabeau Coetsee impressed in the backstroke events, winning gold in the 100m backstroke in 1:03.18 and the 200m backstroke in 2:16.42. She also claimed silver in the 50m backstroke in 29.74 seconds.
Matthew Caldwell added two gold medals in the freestyle events after victories in the 400m freestyle in 3:53.65 and the 800m freestyle in 8:10.30. He also earned silver in the 200m freestyle in 1:50.73.
Swimming South Africa president Alan Fritz praised the performances of the country’s young swimmers.
“It’s incredibly encouraging to see so many of our young swimmers stepping up and delivering performances of this standard on the continental stage,” Fritz said.
“These championships are an important part of the development journey for our next generation of elite athletes. To return home with 84 medals across the junior and senior teams is a reflection of the depth of talent we have in South African swimming, and we congratulate every swimmer, coach and support staff member on their contribution.
“The experience gained in this environment will be invaluable as these athletes continue their progression in the sport.”
TheAbsa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES Cape Town 10Kis shaping into a race that could leave scorch marks on the Mother City’s streets this weekend, with elite athletes targeting fast times, national bragging rights and a slice of history.
The women’s race has emerged as the main attraction with the elusive sub-30 minute barrier firmly in sight for the first time on South African soil.
Kenya’s Faith Cherono enters as the quickest athlete in the field with a personal best of 30:06 and is expected to drive an aggressive pace from the opening kilometre. Fellow Kenyan Jackline Rotich also arrives with proven pedigree and should add further pressure at the front.
South African attention, though, will centre on Glenrose Xaba and Tayla Kavanaghin a contest carrying the feel of a championship prize fight.
Xaba has become the country’s dominant road runner in recent seasons, producing performances as smooth and relentless as a train gathering speed downhill. Kavanagh has rapidly climbed the ranks and continues to show the fearless racing instincts needed to survive a brutal pace on a fast course.
“Cape Town is known for quick times and strong competition,” said Xaba. “When the field moves hard from the start, everyone gets pulled into the race.”
Kavanagh believes the race could deliver something special.
“A sub-30 has been hanging in the air for years,” she said. “This field has the athletes capable of chasing that mark.”
The men’s race also carries serious firepower.
Kenyan speedster Felix Kibet Masai leads the entries with a lightning-fast 27:24 personal best and will start among the favourites alongside South African veteran Stephen Mokoka, whose experience and tactical awareness remain among the sharpest in the domestic road running scene.
Kabelo Mulaudzi, Tanzania’s Jummanne Ngoya and a powerful local contingent including Bongelani Mkhwanazi and Chris Mhlanga should ensure the pace remains fierce throughout.
Mokoka expects an uncompromising race from the gun.
“When athletes with these personal bests line up together, the pace naturally becomes aggressive,” he said. “You need to be ready for every move.”
With cool rainy, coastal conditions expected, deep international fields and national stars eager to seize the spotlight, Cape Town’s roads are set to become a high-speed theatre for one of the most anticipated races on the local calendar.
See full list of male and female elite contenders below:
The 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is set to deliver one of the strongest elite fields ever assembled on African soil when the race takes place in the Mother City on Sunday, 24 May.
As the event continues its push for Abbott World Marathon Majors status, organisers have secured a line-up featuring Olympic champions, world title holders, seasoned marathon winners and some of the fastest athletes in the world.
Four-time Olympian Stephen Mokoka will return to familiar territory as he targets a fourth Sanlam Cape Town Marathon title. The Hollywood Athletics Club veteran remains one of South Africa’s most accomplished distance runners and returns to a course where he has already built a formidable legacy.
Mokoka owns a marathon best of 2:06:42 and a half marathon personal best of 59:36, credentials that keep him firmly among the leading contenders despite the depth of the field.
The biggest attraction is set to be Kenyan superstar Eliud Kipchoge, who has confirmed his participation in what will be his first marathon on African soil.
The double Olympic champion will begin an ambitious global campaign in Cape Town, aiming to run marathons across all seven continents over the next two years. The initiative will raise funds for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, which focuses on environmental preservation and education projects.
Israel’s Maru Teferi enters the race with the fastest personal best in the men’s field at 2:04:44. He will face strong opposition from a group of sub-2:06 runners that includes Kenya’s Bernard Biwott (2:05:25) and Justus Kangogo (2:05:57), along with Ethiopians Yihunilign Adane (2:05:33), Mulugeta Asefa Uma (2:05:33) and Boki Kebede Asefa (2:05:40).
South African interest in the men’s race will also centre on Desmond Mokgobu and Nadeel Wildschutt, both holders of sub-2:10 marathon performances. Wildschutt’s brother, Adriaan, will take on pacing duties for the elite men’s race.
Thabang Mosiako will be chasing a breakthrough sub-2:10 performance, while former South African 10km record holder Precious Mashele and former national trail representative Kane Reilly are both set to make their marathon debuts.
The women’s field is equally impressive, led by Israel’s Lonah Salpeter, who boasts a personal best of 2:17:45.
Ethiopia’s Ruti Aga, Dera Dida and Mestawat Fikir bring extensive international marathon experience, while Bahrain’s Desi Jisa Mokonin and Ethiopia’s Waganesh Mekasha add further quality to the contest.
Veteran Kenyan star Edna Kiplagat, a two-time world champion, remains one of the standout names in the field at the age of 47. Zimbabwe-born Fortunate Chidzivo and UK-born Emma Pallant-Browne, now based in South Africa, will also attract local support.
The wheelchair race will feature British great David Weir and Swiss multiple major winner Manuela Schär.
With world-class depth across both elite races, the2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathonis positioning itself among the leading marathons on the international calendar.
The pulse of the Mother City’s running scene beats strongest far from the elite start line, in the clubs and communities that shape every stride taken across its roads. With the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon (SCTM)pursuing Abbott World Marathon Major status, adidas has placed the spotlight on the network of runners who have turned the sport into a city-wide movement.
From the Sea Point promenade to the streets of Khayelitsha and the shaded routes of Constantia, running has grown into a shared culture. Clubs such as Running Late Club, adidas Runners Cape Town, VOB Running Club and Khayelitsha Athletics Club have become central to that rise, offering structure, support and a sense of belonging.
adidas Runners Cape Town captain Drew Ngcaba said the impact of community extended beyond performance.
“adidas Runners saved my life. When I was recovering from knee surgery, I couldn’t run, I couldn’t train and I was in a dark place. But the community kept me going. Serving the community kept me going. That’s what it means to me,” said Ngcaba.
He added that the growth of the sport in Cape Town has been rapid.
“Running in the last few years has become a must-do. Races sell out within hours. It’s not just about elites anymore; brands like adidas create spaces where everyone can experience running. It elevates the whole city.”
At VOB Running Club, captain Elydia de Monk (pictured below) has witnessed the marathon’s evolution over more than a decade.
“Years ago, it was just another marathon. Now it’s exhilarating, there’s so much excitement. You see international runners and familiar faces on the route and it’s grown into something incredibly special for our city,” she said.
De Monk said the club’s focus remained on participation and milestones.
“My highlight is helping members run their first marathon, their first half and their first ultra. Crossing the finish line with them, that’s special. It’s about being part of someone’s first.”
In Khayelitsha, running has become a platform for identity and opportunity. Khayelitsha Athletics Club captain Siphiwo Melani (pictured below) said the sport offered more than physical benefits.
“When you’re outside, you think running is just waking up and running. Then you discover the community behind it, the organisation and structure. It gave me purpose and a sense of belonging,” said Melani.
He recalled a defining moment during the marathon.
“There was a young girl on the side of the road cheering. She didn’t know me, she just saw the Khayelitsha vest. That’s when I realised this is bigger than me. Khayelitsha is not a jungle. There are good things happening here. When thousands of people come to run here, it makes me proud. We are rewriting the story.”
Collaboration among clubs has also increased, with groups training together and supporting each other’s events as participation numbers continue to climb.
As Cape Town strengthens its bid for global marathon recognition, it is these communities that remain the foundation, carrying the city’s ambitions one step at a time.
