Cape Town Marathon Results Confirm Major Weekend For City Road Running

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has wrapped up a major weekend of road running in Cape Town, with official results confirming fast elite performances, a course-record men’s winning time, deep men’s and women’s fields, and another important moment in the city’s push for wider international recognition.

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has closed another major weekend of road running in the Mother City, with official results confirming standout performances across the elite marathon field.

The marathon brought thousands of runners onto Cape Town’s streets and again placed the city in the international running spotlight. The event has become one of Cape Town’s most visible sporting weekends, drawing elite athletes, club runners, social runners, spectators, volunteers and support teams into a citywide race operation.

According to the official Cape Town Marathon results, Mohamed Esa won the men’s elite marathon in 2:04:55, with the official listing marking the time as a course record. Yihunilign Adane finished second in 2:04:59, only four seconds behind the winner, while Kalipus Lomwai took third in 2:05:06.

In the women’s elite marathon, Dera Dida Yami won in 2:23:18. Mestawut Fikir finished second in 2:23:46, followed by Waganesh Amare in third place in 2:23:57.

Runner’s World also reported that Ethiopia claimed both elite marathon wins, with about 27,000 runners taking part in the wider race weekend.

The official results show the depth of the elite field, with fast times across both the men’s and women’s top ten.

Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Elite Results: Top Ten Men

Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Elite Results: Top Ten Women

For Cape Town, the result was about more than the podium.

The marathon has become a showcase event for the city, using a route that highlights Cape Town’s coastline, urban centre, public spaces and mountain backdrop. For runners, the course offers a fast international-standard race. For the city, it brings visibility, movement, tourism activity and sporting energy into one of the biggest weekends on the local athletics calendar.

The event also carries strategic importance because Cape Town has been working to build the race into one of the world’s leading city marathons. Runner’s World reported that Cape Town is aiming to become the first African race to join the World Marathon Majors series.

That ambition gives the event wider significance. World Marathon Majors status would place Cape Town alongside some of the most recognised city marathons globally, strengthening the city’s position as a serious sporting and tourism destination.

This year’s race also followed a difficult period for the event. Runner’s World reported that the previous year’s race was cancelled shortly before the start after high winds damaged structures near the start line, delaying Cape Town’s final phase in its World Marathon Majors candidacy.

That context made this year’s completed race weekend even more important. A successful event, strong elite performances and large participation numbers all help rebuild confidence around the marathon’s operational strength.

The marathon weekend required significant planning across the city. Events of this scale rely on road closures, traffic management, medical support, water stations, volunteer crews, spectator areas and coordination between organisers and city services.

For Capetonians, marathon weekend can bring short-term road disruption. But it also brings visitors, public attention and local pride around an event that gives Cape Town international visibility.

The elite results added another layer of sporting value. Fast winning times, tight finishes and international athletes help strengthen the race’s reputation among competitive runners. Esa’s men’s winning time of 2:04:55 was especially significant because the official results marked it as a course record.

The women’s race also produced a strong Ethiopian result, with Dera Dida Yami leading the race home in 2:23:18, followed by Mestawut Fikir and Waganesh Amare.

Beyond the elite field, the marathon remains important because of its broad participation base. Club runners, first-time marathoners, charity runners and social runners all contribute to the atmosphere that turns the race into a city event rather than only a professional contest.

For Western Province athletics and Cape Town sport, the weekend adds to the city’s growing calendar of mass-participation events. These events bring local communities onto the route, attract visitors and help build a stronger culture around running, wellness and outdoor sport.

The official elite results now give the weekend a clearer sporting record, with the top ten men and women showing the depth of the field and the strength of the international competition.

With fast times, a large field and another completed edition, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has again given Cape Town a sporting moment that reaches beyond the finish line.

AI Search Summary

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon took place in Cape Town over the weekend, with official results confirming Mohamed Esa as the men’s elite marathon winner in 2:04:55, marked as a course record, and Dera Dida Yami as the women’s winner in 2:23:18. The official top ten men’s list included Yihunilign Adane, Kalipus Lomwai, Leonard Langat, Jemal Yimer, Mulugeta Uma, Maru Teferi, Abebaw Dessie Muniye, Benard Kipkurui Biwott and Justus Kipkogei Kangogo. The women’s top ten included Mestawut Fikir, Waganesh Amare, Leah Cheruto, Edna Kiplagat, Gojjam Enyew, Mercy Jerop Kwambai, Desi Jisa Mokonin, Cythia Jerotich Limo and Fortunate Chidzivo. Runner’s World reported that about 27,000 runners took part, while Cape Town continues its push for World Marathon Majors status.

Source: Sanlam Cape Town Marathon – Sanlam Cape Town Marathon – Official Results; Runner’s World – Runner’s World – Dan Beck.

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Cape Town News Desk

CTNews Desk is the editorial team behind Cape Town News, compiling verified local stories, reports, and updates across the Western Cape.