Cape Town Marathon Joins World Marathon Majors Series — The Stakes Are High

June 14, 2026 4 min read

The Cape Town Marathon has officially secured its place among the world's most prestigious road races, earning inclusion in the World Marathon Majors series. The announcement marks a turning point for African long-distance running, giving elite athletes a new platform to compete on home soil against the sport's global elite.

What the Majors Inclusion Means

The World Marathon Majors brings together the six most celebrated city marathons across the globe. Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City have long dominated this exclusive circuit, attracting top talent through prize money and global recognition. Cape Town's addition creates a seventh anchor event and opens a door for runners across the continent to chase major championship points without crossing oceans.

Organisers confirmed the inclusion follows a rigorous evaluation process spanning several years. Race director Tammy Stegeman told reporters the journey began in 2016 when the event first earned recognition from World Athletics, the sport's governing body. "We built this step by step," Stegeman stated. "Now our runners finally have a major on their doorstep."

The Prize Money and Points Race

Starting in the 2025 season, the Cape Town Marathon will award points in the same system used by the existing Majors events. Athletes accumulate scores across races throughout the year, with the overall champion sharing a substantial prize purse. The circuit awards approximately $1 million annually to its top performers across men and women's categories.

For South African runners, the stakes go beyond glory. Local athletes who previously struggled to afford international travel can now compete at the highest level domestically. Ethiopian and Kenyan training groups have already signalled interest in using Cape Town as a strategic race before the summer Majors in Europe.

Why African Runners Stand to Gain

Long dominated by athletes from East Africa in global competition, marathon running has seen few major international events hosted south of the Sahara. Kenya and Ethiopia have produced countless world-record holders, yet their runners typically compete in European or American cities. Cape Town offers a different climate, different altitude conditions, and a different timezone — variables that could reshape how athletes prepare for championship racing.

The inclusion also signals World Marathon Majors' intent to expand its geographic footprint. Critics have long argued the circuit skewed too heavily toward the Northern Hemisphere. Adding Cape Town creates a genuine counter-season option, giving athletes a way to race competitively during the Southern Hemisphere summer.

Cape Town's Growing Sports Infrastructure

The marathon joins a city that has invested heavily in sports tourism over the past decade. Cape Town hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup matches, regularly welcomes international cycling events, and has expanded its convention and events facilities. City officials view the Majors inclusion as validation of those investments and a catalyst for further growth in athletic tourism.

The race takes runners through some of South Africa's most recognisable scenery. The route passes Table Mountain, threads along the Atlantic coastline, and circles the city's historicCompany Gardens before finishing in the Green Point precinct. Organisers say the backdrop sets Cape Town apart from the urban canyon courses typical of most major cities.

Economic Ripple Effects

Event promoters estimate the marathon generates roughly 200 million rand in economic activity for the Western Cape region each year. Hotels, restaurants, and local transport services absorb the influx of visitors during race weekend. With Majors status, those numbers are expected to climb. Hospitality industry groups in Cape Town have already begun planning for increased demand during future editions.

Television broadcast agreements typically accompany Majors membership. The series draws coverage across multiple continents, exposing Cape Town to millions of viewers who may never have considered visiting South Africa. Tourism boards in the region are counting on that exposure to translate into long-term visitor growth.

What Comes Next

The 2025 Cape Town Marathon will serve as the first official Majors qualifying event. Athletes seeking to accumulate points toward the 2025-2026 season championship will need to register early, as field sizes may be capped lower than previous years to maintain quality standards. Qualifying times for elite entry are expected to tighten substantially.

Registration for the 2025 event opens in September. Observers will watch whether top athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Morocco commit early, which would signal whether Cape Town can immediately compete with Berlin and Chicago for elite fields. The first sign of that competition arrives when start lists become public early next year.