WELKOM – Welkom’s long-distance runner Nkhetheni Masupa was among the world championship athletes who competed in the 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on Sunday 24 May.

Masupa finished the marathon in a time of 02:44:18, ending in position 204 of 18 507 runners overall. In the men’s category he placed 191 of 11 593, and in his age group (50 to 59) he finished 17th out of 2 438 runners.

“It’s always a great feeling seeing myself invited to the Age Group Championships every year. Last year I was in New York and if my performance tops again I’ll probably be invited to go run in Tokyo marathon on 7 March 2027,” he says.

One of the biggest requirements for World Marathon Major (WMM) consideration is proving global appeal, logistical strength and world-class race organisation. For organisers, this year’s event was effectively a live audition.

One of the weekend’s biggest attractions was marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, who chose Cape Town for his first official marathon race on African soil. Spectators lined the route from start to finish, with crowds cheering every glimpse of the two-time Olympic champion. Kipchoge finished 16th in 2:13:29, but his presence may have carried more symbolic value than competitive significance.

After this year’s race, the Cape Town Marathon is now a strong contender for Abbott World Marathon Majors status. If approved, it would become Africa’s first race to join the elite global marathon series alongside Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo, and Sydney.

This year Cape Town had around 8 500 overseas entries arriving in the city. Among them were nearly 1 850 runners competing in the 2026 Abbott World Marathon Majors Marathon Tours and Travel Age Group World Championships, bringing athletes from around the globe to South African roads. South African runners are now busy with their preparations for the Comrades Marathon taking place on 14 June.

ALSO READ: Welkom Runners prepare for Comrades