The streets of Cape Town will come alive on Sunday (24 May) as thousands of athletes from around the globe descend on the Mother City for the 2026 edition of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.

Africa’s premier marathon is expected to attract 27 000 runners in the main race, including what organisers describe as the strongest field of elite runners and wheelchair athletes ever assembled for a marathon on the continent. Around 32% of the entrants will be taking part in the marathon for the first time.

The event has also drawn 8 500 international participants from 145 countries, with the largest overseas contingents coming from the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Germany. Leading African countries represented include Zimbabwe, Botswana and Kenya.

An additional 17 500 athletes participated in the accompanying 10km and 5km Peace Runs, as well as the Cape Town Trail Marathon and trail runs on Saturday 23 May. All events start and finish in the Green Point precinct near the DHL Stadium.

The marathon continues its bid to become Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Majors event, placing it alongside races in cities such as New York, London, Berlin and Tokyo.

Chief executive officer of the marathon, Clark Gardner, said the event’s original vision was to celebrate African athletes on home soil.

“When we started on this marathon journey, one of our primary objectives was to honour the magnificent performances of the African elite marathon runners. They were the ones that inspired us to showcase African excellence, and so we set out to give them a marathon on African soil that is worthy of their participation,” said Gardner.

“Today, we’re thrilled to welcome an elite field for 2026 with seven World Athletics Platinum Label and 13 Gold Label athletes, including the greatest ever marathon runner, Eliud Kipchoge, as well many of the best runners in the world. This is certainly the fastest and best field to ever start a marathon on the African continent, and allows us to honour the great performances of these elites over many years all around the world. Now they get to race at that same level on their home turf, feeling the African warmth, hospitality and vibes. We wish all our runners a great run on Sunday.”

Among the star attractions is legendary Kenyan marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and former world record holder, who said he was proud to race on African soil.

“They say North, South, East or West, home is best… Cape Town is in Africa, and I belong to the African continent. This is my home, this is my soil, and I am a child of Africa. That’s a big reason that I am here, to show my support for Cape Town to become a Major marathon next year,” said Kipchoge.

“The culture of running here in South Africa is really amazing – when I wake up at 6 o’clock to run, I see everybody out there, and the same thing in the evening. I also had the opportunity to go to Langa, and saw how much the children love sport. This is really the country of sport, and the perfect home for a Major marathon,” he added.

Fellow Kenyan star Edna Kiplagat, a former women’s world marathon champion, also praised the event.

“I’m so grateful to be part of the elite race here in Cape Town. It is a great milestone that you have all worked to achieve, and I believe we are going to have a great race on Sunday.”

Speaking about her longevity in the sport at the age of 46, Kiplagat said: “I’ve had the greatest team who have been helping me with everything that I do, and I’m so grateful, because whenever I’m preparing for a race, they make sure everything goes well. I’m lucky that the support I get has really helped me to achieve all my goals, but I still have more ahead of me, including here in Cape Town.”

The wheelchair race will also feature some of the world’s leading athletes, including Swiss champion Manuela Schär and British Paralympic legend David Weir.

Schär said she was delighted to finally compete in Cape Town.

“I spent a beautiful vacation here, in 2017, so I have the best memories of Cape Town and its great energy. I just had so much fun, and I always wanted to come and race here, but the timing was always a bit bad with other events and racing on the track. So, I’m really glad that I’ve made it here this year!”

Weir added: “Ernst has been inviting me to come here for years, and now that I’m no longer racing on the track, I could make it at last.

“Our sport has improved so much over the years, and being part of the Majors has really helped. It’s been amazing to be a part of the Majors circuit, and fantastic to see Cape Town about to be added to the circuit. We’ve got a strong field here this year, so the race could be close, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Organisers have also announced a significantly increased prize purse for 2026, with the combined total across all races rising to R4,862,500. Including record incentives, the total amount on offer climbs to R6,602,500.

The winners of the men’s and women’s marathon races will each receive $35 000 (around R590 425), while wheelchair race winners will earn $10 000 (around R168 693). Additional incentives are on offer for course records, world records and South African records.

Sunday’s marathon starts with the Peace Flame Ceremony at 07:20. The wheelchair race begins at 07:50, followed by the elite marathon start at 08:00.

With a total of 44 500 athletes expected across the weekend, organisers say extensive infrastructure and safety measures have been put in place, including hundreds of marshals, security personnel, toilets, road closure signs and nearly 200 support vehicles.

The racing action will also be streamed live on the marathon’s YouTube channel throughout the weekend.