Sanlam has renewed its title sponsorship of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon for a further five years, extending the partnership through to 2031.
The agreement continues a relationship that began in 2014 and has helped transform the event from a city race into Africa’s premier marathon and a contender for inclusion in the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
The diversified financial services group has supported the marathon through its evolution over the past decade, during which it has attracted increasingly competitive elite fields and delivered record-breaking times on African soil.
“Renewing our sponsorship is about backing a long-term vision for the continent and helping position Africa confidently where it belongs on the world stage,” said Shadi Chauke, group executive for corporate affairs and sustainability at Sanlam.
Chauke noted that more than 80% of the world’s top marathon elite runners come from Africa, adding that it was inspiring for these athletes to compete on home soil in a race of this level.
The marathon has generated an estimated R800 million in local economic impact whilst drawing tens of thousands of visitors to Cape Town. Participation has grown from just over 13 000 in 2022 to a projected 27 000 in 2026.
In 2026, the event will host 10 000 international runners and the Marathon Tours & Travel Age Group World Championships, further strengthening Cape Town’s position as a global destination for road running.
Clark Gardner, chief executive of Faces, which owns and operates the marathon, said the renewal provided stability to pursue the event’s Abbott World Marathon Majors ambition with confidence.
“Sanlam has backed us through record-breaking highs, through the uncertainty of COVID, and through the long, detailed work of building credibility on the global stage,” said Gardner.
Francois Pienaar, co-founder and director of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, said the partnership was built on a vision to create a marathon that belonged on the world stage whilst retaining its soul.
“To see them recommit now, after everything this event has been through, speaks to trust, shared values, and a belief in legacy rather than short-term wins,” said Pienaar.
The event has expanded its competitive offering to include top-flight wheelchair racing and has continually raised standards in athlete experience, organisation and broadcast delivery.
The 2026 edition of the marathon will take place on 24 May, marking a departure from the event’s traditional November date.
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Organisers have moved the race to May to provide cooler autumn temperatures and reduced wind conditions, creating more favourable racing conditions and potentially faster times.
The decision follows the cancellation of the November 2025 race due to severe wind conditions. Cape Town’s strong south-easterly winds are statistically less likely in May compared to late spring, when they frequently affect the city.
The change also allows for a later race start time of around 09:00, easing transport and logistics in a city with limited public transport infrastructure.
The May timing better aligns with the Abbott World Marathon Majors calendar and supports the event’s ambition to become Africa’s first Major marathon, whilst providing greater economic impact during a quieter tourist season.
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