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Kipchoge, Ethiopian stars headline record chase at Cape Town Marathon

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By Adnaan Mohamed

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is poised for a potentially historic Sunday as one of the deepest elite fields ever assembled on African soil prepares to attack the record books beneath Table Mountain.

The 32nd edition of the race has attracted 27,000 marathon runners and a combined total of 44,500 participants across the weekend’s events, while the elite field carries enough firepower to threaten both course records.

In the men’s race, 13 athletes have already run faster than the current course mark of 2:08:16 set by Abdisa Tola in 2024. Ten of them have dipped beneath that time within the last year.

Leading the charge is marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge, the two-time Olympic champion and former world record-holder, whose personal best of 2:01:09 makes him the fastest athlete in the field historically.

Although now 41, Kipchoge remains a formidable contender after clocking 2:05:25 in London last year.

Ethiopia’s Mohamed Esa enters with arguably the sharpest recent form after posting 2:04:49 in Chicago in 2025, while Israel’s Maru Teferi arrives with a personal best of 2:04:44.

Mohamed Esa

Kenya’s Benard Kipkurui Biwott and Justus Kangogo, alongside Ethiopians Yihunilign Adane, Mulugeta Asefa Uma and Boki Kebede Asefa, add further depth to a field packed with sub-2:06 runners.

Another major contender is Adane Gebre Kebede, who won in Cape Town in 2023 and finished runner-up in 2024. His recent 2:06:16 in Houston suggests he could again feature prominently.

South Africa’s hopes will largely rest with three-time champion Stephen Mokoka, alongside Desmond Mokgobu, Bennet Seloyi and debutant Anthony Timoteus.

The women’s race also promises fireworks.

South African star Glenrose Xaba set the course record of 2:22:22 in 2024, producing the fastest women’s marathon ever run on African soil. This year’s elite lineup includes five women who have already run faster than 2:20.

Ethiopian trio Ruti Aga, Dera Dida and Mestawat Fikir are expected to spearhead the challenge. Aga owns a 2:18:09 best, while Dida and Fikir have clocked 2:18:32 and 2:18:48 respectively.

Edna Kiplagat

Experienced campaigners Lonah Salpeter and Edna Kiplagat add further quality to the field. Salpeter remains the fastest woman in the race historically with her 2:17:45 Tokyo victory in 2020, while two-time world champion Kiplagat continues to compete at elite level at 47.

“We have assembled the best marathon elite and wheelchair fields the African continent has ever seen, led by the best marathon runner of all time, Eliud Kipchoge,” said Clark Gardner.

“With so many starters who have run faster times than our course records, we feel confident that the record books will need updating after this year’s race.”

The race also represents another significant milestone in Cape Town’s bid to become Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Majors event, alongside marathons in New York, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, Tokyo, Sydney and London.

Featured Photo Credit: Kevin Peters

Sanlam Cape Town Marathon assembles strongest elite field in race history

Adnaan MohamedPreviewLeave a Comment on Sanlam Cape Town Marathon assembles strongest elite field in race history
By Adnaan Mohamed

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, the 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is positioning itself among the leading marathons on the international calendar.