The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has officially secured its place in running history after being confirmed as the eighth Abbott World Marathon Major, becoming the first race on the African continent to join the prestigious series from 2027.

The announcement marks a landmark moment for global distance running and represents the culmination of a lengthy evaluation process. Cape Town joins Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York and Sydney as part of the world's most recognised marathon series. The achievement also brings Africa into the World Marathon Majors for the first time.

Set beneath Table Mountain and along the coastline of one of the world's most celebrated cities, the Cape Town Marathon has steadily grown into Africa's leading marathon. The race has attracted increasing international attention in recent years as organisers worked to meet the standards required for Major status.

The journey has not been straightforward. The 2025 edition was cancelled because of severe weather conditions, delaying the final stage of the evaluation process. However, the successful staging of the 2026 race allowed Cape Town to complete the required assessments and secure its place in the series.

For runners around the world, the decision creates a new destination on the quest for marathon stars and milestone achievements. The expansion also reflects the growing global reach of marathon running, with Africa now represented alongside races across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

The move is expected to bring increased international participation to South Africa and further elevate Cape Town's status as a major sporting destination. Organisers have described the achievement as a defining moment not only for the race itself but also for African distance running as a whole.

With demand expected to increase following the announcement, runners interested in experiencing the newest World Marathon Major can already secure travel arrangements through Marathon Tours & Travel UK. Official travel packages include race entry options, accommodation and support designed specifically for marathon runners travelling to Cape Town.

The addition of Cape Town to the Abbott World Marathon Majors creates a new opportunity for runners pursuing marathon milestones while also offering the chance to experience one of the world's most spectacular race destinations. From the backdrop of Table Mountain to the city's coastal scenery, the event is set to become one of the most sought after races on the international running calendar.

With demand expected to increase following the announcement, runners interested in experiencing the newest World Marathon Major can already secure travel arrangements through Marathon Tours & Travel UK. Official travel packages include race entry options, accommodation and support designed specifically for marathon runners travelling to Cape Town.

The addition of Cape Town to the Abbott World Marathon Majors creates a new opportunity for runners pursuing marathon milestones while also offering the chance to experience one of the world's most spectacular race destinations. From the backdrop of Table Mountain to the city's coastal scenery, the event is set to become one of the most sought after races on the international running calendar.

Image courtesy Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Media.