Marathon Tours and Travel has alerted runABC to the continued expansion of the Abbott World Marathon Major (AbbottWMM) series. The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon takes place on Sunday, 19 October 2025, when it will be further assessed through the AbbottWMM candidacy process. The indications are that Cape Town will become the 8th AbbottWMM in 2026.

Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is on its third and final year of AbbottWMM candidacy and will host the 2026 AbbottWMM Marathon Tours & Travel Age Group World Championships on 24 May. It’s a tight turnaround for 2026, but Marathon Tours & Travel has that covered with bespoke packages that include guaranteed entry, plus FREE cancellation if the event does not become the 8th AbbottWMM and the first to be held on the African Continent.

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 2025 sold out its 24,000 entries, and if it is confirmed as an AbbottWMM race, we expect the field to be bigger in 2026. With the addition of the Age Group World Championships, Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 2026 promises to be a celebration of endurance running and an exciting marathon festival throughout.

It is confirmed that the 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon will include a lottery entry system, reflecting its potential new status as an AbbottWMM event. However, you can secure your place without the stress of the lottery by booking a travel package through the Official Tour Operator, which guarantees your entry. Click here to read about Marathon Tours & Travel packages, including exciting sightseeing options and extensions to make the most of your South African adventure.

As with all Marathon Tours & Travel trips, everything you might need is taken care of by experienced guides, including welcome support and guidance from the team in Cape Town, escorted race number pick-up, warm-up run, pre-race dinner, and post-race celebrations.

To learn more about Cape Town becoming the 8th AbbottWMM event, click here.

For more information on the Age Group World Championships, click here.

For details of all Marathon Tours & Travel's AbbottWMM trips, click here.

For bespoke package details for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, click here.

Image of Cape Town Marathon 2024 by Mark Sampson supplied by Marathon Tours & Travel