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Fastest marathon on African soil run in Cape Town

Adnaan MohamedNewsLeave a Comment on Fastest marathon on African soil run in Cape Town
By Adnaan Mohamed

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon delivered a landmark moment for African road running on Sunday as Ethiopia’s Mohamed Esa produced the fastest marathon ever run on African soil in a record-shattering performance through the streets of the Mother City.

Esa stormed to victory in 2:04:55, obliterating the previous course record of 2:08:16 set by fellow Ethiopian Abdisa Tola in 2024.

Mohamed Esa of Ethiopia won the 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in a new course record 2:04:55, which is the fastest time ever run on African soil. Image: Fahwaaz Cornelius

His time also eclipsed the previous fastest marathon run on the continent, the 2:06:32 recorded by Morocco’s Hicham Laqouahi in 2020, while establishing a new South African All-Comers record.

The performance strengthened the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon growing bid to become Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Majors, placing it alongside iconic marathons in London, New York, Berlin and Tokyo.

One of the key requirements for Major status is a world-class elite and wheelchair field. The 2026 edition delivered exactly that and the athletes responded by rewriting the record books.

Esa arrived in Cape Town with the quickest season-best in the field after clocking 2:04:49 in the 2025 Chicago Marathon, and delivered on that form with a decisive late surge.

He broke away from a leading pack of four inside the final three kilometres before pulling clear again in the closing stages.

The depth of the elite field underlined the quality of the race, with the first 10 runners all finishing quicker than the previous course record.

“To be honest, I was not thinking about the course record today, because my target was to win the race in my African homeland,” said Esa.

“So the win was the priority, and I was not targeting the course record, but I am really happy that I could do both today.”

Fellow Ethiopian Yihunilign Adane finished second in 2:04:59, while Kenya’s Kalipus Lomwai completed the podium in 2:05:06.

South African veteran Stephen Mokoka was the leading local athlete in 13th place in 2:10:48.

He was followed by Matlakala Bennet Seloyi, who clocked a personal best 2:12:17, while debutant Anthony Timoteus impressed with 2:13:04 in his first marathon.

Kenyan legend Eliud Kipchoge finished 16th in 2:13:29.

The Ethiopian later waited at the finish line to welcome fellow runners home, including marathon great Eliud Kipchoge, who finished 16th in 2:13:29.

“Eliud is my role model, and I love and respect him so much,” Esa said.

“I wanted to show the world that we are the same family of African runners.”

In the women’s race, Ethiopia completed a clean sweep of the podium positions.

The top 3 women in the 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, from left, Mestawut Fikir (Ethiopia, second), Dera Dida Yami (Ethiopia, winner), and Waganesh Amare (Kenya, third). Image: Fahwaaz Cornelius

Dera Dida Yami claimed victory in 2:23:18, narrowly missing the course record of 2:22:22 set by South Africa’s Glenrose Xaba in 2024.

“I came here to win the race and that was my goal,” Dida said.

“But I’ll be very happy to come back here and try to break the course record next year.”

She also revealed that Tamirat Tola already plans to race in Cape Town next year after missing this year’s event following his London Marathon campaign.

Mestawut Fikir crossed second in 2:23:46, with Waganesh Amare third in 2:23:57.

Former women’s world champion Edna Kiplagat finished fifth in 2:25:44 at the age of 46.

South Africa’s top finisher was Mia Morrison, who placed 15th in 2:49:52.

WHEELCHAIR RECORDS SHATTERED

The wheelchair races also produced two course records.

Great Britain’s David Weir won the men’s race in 1:30:20 to better the previous mark of 1:32:09 set in 2023.

“The atmosphere was amazing with the crowd, and the weather was good as well,” said Weir.

“I didn’t plan to go for the record today, it was one of those things.”

David Weir
Manuela Schär

Switzerland’s Manuela Schär dominated the women’s race in 1:43:25, smashing the previous course record of 1:52:58.

“I’ve done all the Majors around the world, and this is definitely one of my favourites,” Schär said.

“The crowd was amazing, and then the view… you have the ocean and Table Mountain. It was beautiful.”

The latest edition of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon comes at a crucial stage in the event’s bid to become part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors series, strengthening its growing reputation as Africa’s leading marathon.

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

adidas brings record-breaking Pro Evo 3 marathon shoe to Cape Town

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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 Marathon Expo 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.”

WATCH | Sebastian Sawe speaks after historic sub-2 hour record rout at London Marathon

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.

More information is available at adidas South Africa

Sanlam Cape Town Marathon assembles strongest elite field in race history

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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.

Do What is Hard

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Do What is Hard

Not too many people can say they have run a marathon, never mind 100 marathons in 100 days. That will probably sound like climbing Mount Everest to the average person… but that’s what 21-year-old Joburg student Chad Markgraaf did last year. And now he’s getting ready for his equally long but much bigger #RUNSA2024 challenge. – By Richard Laskey with Sean Falconer