Cape Town is set to host the inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon on Sunday 18 October, as runners from around the world gather to honour Madiba’s legacy in a powerful new global event.
Replacing the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, traditionally held in October, the event marks a major shift in the city’s running calendar.
Organised by sports marketing company Golazo in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and local communities, all profits will go towards supporting the foundation’s work.
Runners can choose from a range of distances, including a 5 km run and walk, 10 km, the Slave Route Challenge Half Marathon (21 km), and the full Nelson Mandela Marathon (42 km).
The event was officially unveiled at the launch of the Nelson Mandela Legacy Sporting Series on Tuesday 12 May.
The series is a unified platform that brings together major sporting initiatives aimed at driving social impact, promoting active citizenship and honouring the enduring legacy of Nelson Mandela.
This year marks 27 years since Nelson Mandela established the Foundation and 27 years since he handed over power as South Africa’s first democratically elected president.
This mirrors the 27 years he spent imprisoned in the struggle for freedom.
The series launch comes ahead of Nelson Mandela International Day and this year’s theme, “It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequality.”
Inspired by Madiba’s belief in the power of sport to unite people and drive social change, the series positions participation as a vehicle for mobilisation and collective impact, inviting people from across South Africa and the region to take part in initiatives that extend beyond competition to create meaningful change in communities.
Four events, one legacy
Events in the series
- Mandela Day Walk & Run — Johannesburg (19 July)
- Legacy Ride4Hope — Maputo, Mozambique to Howick, KwaZulu-Natal (2-5 September)
- Nelson Mandela Remembrance Walk & Run — Tshwane (5 December)
- Speaking at the launch, Dr Mbongiseni Buthelezi, chief executive of the foundation, described the Mandela Legacy Sporting Series as a platform that unifies existing sporting initiatives while creating new opportunities for participation and collective action.
More than a series of sporting events, the initiative is a call-to-action encouraging people to walk, run, and ride in support of causes that promote dignity, equality and opportunity.
The Mandela Legacy Sporting Series is open to participants of all ages and fitness levels, reinforcing the belief that everyone has a role to play in shaping a better future.
Registrations will open soon.
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