Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge has announced that the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon will be the opening stop of his ambitious global running initiative, Eliud’s Running World, a seven-race tour that will see him compete in marathons on every continent.
The 2026 edition of the Cape Town race is scheduled for May 24, and will mark a historic moment as the Kenyan great runs his first-ever marathon on African soil.
Kipchoge’s project will unfold over the next two years, with the double Olympic marathon champion and first man to run a marathon in under two hours aiming to inspire people around the world to embrace running while connecting with communities across all seven continents. The tour will also raise funds for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, which supports environmental conservation and education initiatives in underserved communities.
For Kipchoge, beginning the journey in Cape Town carries special significance.
“Africa is where my journey as a runner began and where the foundation of my success is deeply rooted,” he said.
“To start this world tour in Cape Town is very special. It is about celebrating the strength of African running and inspiring the next generation. To race my first ever marathon on the African continent holds deep meaning for me.”
The Cape Town Marathon has grown rapidly in stature on the global road-running calendar, attracting elite athletes and thousands of recreational runners from around the world. Organisers expect more than 27 000 participants to line up for the 2026 race, after adverse weather conditions led to the cancellation of last year’s race.
Eliud Kichoge is widely regarded as the greatest marathon runner in history. Over two decades, the Kenyan legend has produced some of the most iconic performances in distance running.
The event is also a candidate to become part of the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors series, with ambitions to deliver Africa’s first Major marathon and create a global platform for the continent’s top distance runners to compete on home soil.
Race CEO Clark Gardner believes Kipchoge’s participation represents a landmark moment for both the event and African road running.
“Eliud represents the very best of what running can inspire,” Gardner said. “To see him race our streets, meet our communities and engage with young runners across the city will be incredibly powerful. Moments like this remind us what is possible when the world’s greatest athletes connect with the places and people that shaped the sport.”
Further destinations for Kipchoge’s seven-continent marathon tour are expected to be announced later this week.
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