Cape Town has entered world marathon history after the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon was confirmed as Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Major. The decision places the city on the same global road-running stage as Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City and Sydney, and gives the Western Cape a major new sport, tourism and events platform from 2027. For Capetonians, this is not only about running. It is about international visitors, road closures, hotel demand, transport planning, local business, city branding and Africa finally having a place inside the world’s most recognised marathon series.
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has secured one of the most important sporting achievements in Cape Town’s modern event history after being confirmed as Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Major. The race will join the global series from 2027, placing Cape Town beside Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City and Sydney.
For Cape Town, this is not only a sport announcement. It is a city story, a tourism story, a business story and a signal that the Western Cape can host a road-running event at the highest international standard.
The first Cape Town Marathon as an official Abbott World Marathon Major will take place on 23rd of May 2027. That date now becomes a major planning point for runners, event organisers, hotels, restaurants, transport operators, tourism companies, security teams, medical services and Capetonians living along the route.
The decision follows two successful evaluations by the Abbott World Marathon Majors team. Cape Town had spent years working toward this moment, and the final assessment came after the successful staging of the 2026 race.
That mattered because the city’s bid had suffered a setback last year when severe winds forced the cancellation of the marathon. The cancellation disappointed runners, sponsors, volunteers and organisers, but it also showed why safety and race-day readiness form part of the Major assessment.
This year, Cape Town returned to the road and delivered the race it needed.
Abbott World Marathon Majors confirmed that the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon will now become the eighth race in the series. The series started with six of the most recognised city marathons in the world: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City. Sydney later joined as the seventh Major. Cape Town now becomes number eight.
The African significance is hard to ignore. African athletes have shaped global marathon running for decades, but the continent did not have a host race inside the World Marathon Majors structure. Cape Town now changes that.
Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Chief Executive Clark Gardner said joining the Abbott World Marathon Majors as Africa’s first Major was a profound honour. He said the achievement belonged to the people who helped carry the race through its long candidacy journey, and he said Cape Town looked forward to welcoming the global running community in 2027.
Abbott World Marathon Majors Chief Executive Dawna Stone welcomed Cape Town into the series and said the city would bring a new dimension to the global marathon family through its culture, its people and its setting.
Those statements matter because Major status is not handed out lightly. A marathon has to prove that it can operate at international standard. The assessment looks at race operations, medical planning, runner safety, elite athlete support, route management, sustainability, broadcast value, crowd experience, city support and the overall runner journey from entry to finish line.
Cape Town has now passed that test.
The 2026 race also becomes part of the story. Runners who completed this year’s Sanlam Cape Town Marathon received provisional Abbott World Marathon Majors stars. With Cape Town now accepted into the series, those stars will be upgraded to full status.
That gives the 2026 finishers a special place in Cape Town Marathon history. They were part of the race that helped the city complete its final Major evaluation.
For local runners, the announcement changes the value of a Cape Town Marathon entry. The race was already one of South Africa’s most important road-running events. It now becomes part of the world marathon journey followed by thousands of runners across the globe.
For international runners, Cape Town becomes a new destination on the Major calendar. Many runners spend years chasing Major stars, travelling between cities to complete the series. Cape Town now joins that list.
That has direct economic value. Major marathons attract runners, support crews, families, media teams, sponsors and tour groups. Visitors often stay for several days around race weekend. They spend money on accommodation, restaurants, local transport, tourist activities, retail, health services and event-linked products.
News24 reported that the event is projected to contribute in the region of R800 million, with next year’s race weekend set for 22nd to 23rd of May. That gives the announcement a strong city-economy angle as well as a sport angle.
The route also gives Cape Town an advantage. The marathon offers a setting that few global city races can match. Runners move through a city framed by mountain views, urban roads, coastline and historic areas. For broadcasters and photographers, that creates a strong visual identity. For visitors, it gives the race a travel pull that reaches beyond athletics.
But Major status also brings responsibility.
A larger global race will increase pressure on transport planning, road closures, safety operations, medical readiness, crowd movement, water points, volunteer management and communication with affected communities.
Capetonians will expect clear information before race week. Businesses along the route will need proper warning. Public transport operators will need to coordinate with event organisers. Emergency services will need detailed plans. The City and race team will need to prove that Cape Town can host a bigger field without creating unnecessary disruption.
That is the next test.
Cape Town has won the status. Now it has to deliver the experience.
The 2027 edition will be watched closely by Abbott World Marathon Majors, international runners, local clubs, sponsors, tourism bodies and Capetonians. A strong first Major edition could secure the race’s reputation for years. A weak delivery would bring criticism quickly.
The race also arrives at a time when Cape Town is working hard to position itself as a serious global events city. The city already hosts major sport, music, cultural and business events. The marathon now gives Cape Town another international anchor event with repeat annual value.
For the Western Cape tourism sector, this matters. The marathon can help bring visitors during a planned race period. It can support hotel bookings, guest houses, restaurants, domestic travel and international packages. It can also help Cape Town sell itself as an outdoor city where sport, tourism and scenery work together.
For African road running, the symbolism is even stronger. The continent has produced world-class runners and record-breaking performances, but its major city races have often sat outside the highest commercial and global structures. Cape Town’s inclusion gives Africa a formal seat in the most recognised marathon series.
That can inspire young runners. It can attract sponsorship. It can help raise local race standards. It can also give African runners a Major race on home soil, rather than making the global stage feel only overseas.
There is still work ahead. Entry demand may rise sharply. Ballot systems will need to be managed carefully. International travel packages will grow. Local runners may worry about access and pricing. Road closures may become a bigger annual issue. The City and organisers will need to balance global ambition with local inclusion.
That balance will decide how Capetonians experience the event.
A World Marathon Major cannot only serve international runners. It also has to respect the city that hosts it. That means communication, affordability where possible, local club involvement, community support, safe roads and a race-day atmosphere that feels like Cape Town, not just an imported event model.
The announcement gives the city a rare chance. Cape Town can build a Major that reflects Africa, supports local running and brings global visitors into the Western Cape economy.
The headline is simple: Cape Town has joined the world’s marathon elite.
The real story is what comes next.
Explainer: What Is An Abbott World Marathon Major?
An Abbott World Marathon Major is one of the leading city marathons in the world. These races attract elite athletes, everyday runners, sponsors, broadcasters, charities, tourism companies and international media.
The series is built around races that meet high standards across safety, logistics, route management, runner experience, elite athlete support and global profile.
Cape Town’s acceptance means the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has met the required standard after its assessment process.
Quick Chart: Cape Town Marathon Major Status
| Key Point | What It Means |
| New Status | Sanlam Cape Town Marathon becomes an Abbott World Marathon Major |
| First Official Major Race | 23rd of May 2027 |
| Global Position | Eighth race in the Abbott World Marathon Majors series |
| African Milestone | First World Marathon Major on African soil |
| Other Majors | Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City and Sydney |
| 2026 Finishers | Provisional AbbottWMM stars will be upgraded to full status |
| Main Local Impact | Tourism, transport planning, road closures, event services and city branding |
| Main Challenge | Cape Town must now deliver a Major-level race experience |
Why It Matters For Cape Town
Cape Town now has a global sport event with annual international value.
The tourism sector gains another reason to prepare for high-value visitors.
Local runners gain access to a World Marathon Major at home.
African road running gains formal recognition inside the world’s top marathon series.
The City now faces a larger planning task around roads, safety, public transport and communication.
Q&A
When does Cape Town become a World Marathon Major?
Cape Town’s first official race as an Abbott World Marathon Major will take place on 23rd of May 2027.
Why is this important?
It makes Cape Town the first African host city in the Abbott World Marathon Majors series and places the race beside the world’s most recognised city marathons.
Which races are currently part of the World Marathon Majors?
The series includes Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City, Sydney and Cape Town.
What happens to runners who finished the 2026 Cape Town Marathon?
Runners who completed the 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon received provisional AbbottWMM stars. Those stars will be upgraded to full status.
Why does this matter beyond sport?
Major marathons bring international runners, tourism spend, hotel bookings, restaurant trade, transport demand, sponsorship, media attention and city-branding value.
What is the biggest challenge now?
Cape Town must deliver a Major-level event while keeping Capetonians informed about road closures, transport changes, safety plans and neighbourhood access.
SAI Search Summary:
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has been confirmed as Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Major. The race will join the global series from 23rd of May 2027 as the eighth member, alongside Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City and Sydney. The decision follows two successful evaluations by Abbott World Marathon Majors and gives Cape Town a stronger global sport and tourism position. Organisers say runners who completed the 2026 race will have their provisional AbbottWMM stars upgraded to full status. The announcement is expected to support tourism, local business, event services and Cape Town’s international city profile.
Source Credit:
Source: Abbott World Marathon Majors; Sanlam Cape Town Marathon; News24; Runner’s World.
