Cape Town Marathon earns historic major status

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has officially become the eighth member of the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors series.

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has officially become the eighth member of the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors series, marking a historic milestone for both the event and the African continent. Beginning in 2027, Cape Town will join an elite group of races that includes the marathons of Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City, and Sydney. This achievement makes it the first marathon in Africa to receive World Marathon Major status.

The announcement follows the successful completion of the marathon’s evaluation process in 2026. Organizers spent several years working to meet the strict standards required for inclusion in the prestigious series. Despite a setback in 2025, when the event was canceled due to severe weather conditions, the marathon returned strongly in 2026 and secured its place among the world’s most celebrated long-distance races.

Officials from the Abbott World Marathon Majors welcomed Cape Town into the series, praising the event’s growth, organization, and unique cultural significance. They highlighted the city’s scenic beauty, vibrant atmosphere, and strong running community as factors that will add a new dimension to the global marathon circuit.

The achievement is particularly significant for African athletics. For years, the continent has produced some of the world’s greatest distance runners, yet it had never hosted a World Marathon Major. The inclusion of Cape Town is seen as recognition of Africa’s contribution to the sport and is expected to attract thousands of international runners and tourists to South Africa in the coming years.

Race organizers described the decision as a proud moment for generations of African runners. They expressed confidence that the event will continue to grow and inspire athletes worldwide while showcasing Africa’s sporting excellence on a global stage. The first Cape Town Marathon as an official World Marathon Major is scheduled for May 2027.