Eliud Kipchoge revealed on Monday the the first stop on his marathon world tour of all seven continents will be Africa as he takes on the Cape Town Marathon on May 24.
Kipchoge said in a social media post that Africa was critical to his running journey — and success — as he now takes on new challenges outside of the major marathon circuit.
“Africa is where my journey as a runner began and where the foundation of my success is deeply rooted.” he said in the post. “To start this World Tour on my own continent is very special.”
After last November’s New York City Marathon, Kipchoge said his tour would be less about records, but an opportunity to connect with a running community that truly enjoyed racing.
“Eliud represents the very best of what running can inspire. To see him race our streets, meet our communities and engage with young runners across the city will be incredibly powerful,” Clark Gardner, CEO of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon said. “Moments like this remind us what is possible when the world’s greatest athletes connect with the places and people that shaped the sport.”
For this year’s Cape Town race, which will now be staged in May instead of Octover, the addition of Kipchoge is a major boost months after last year’s event was canceled just hours before the start due to high winds.
Some of the nearly 24,000 participants were on their way to the start when organizers and local officials held an emergency meeting and saw damage to tents and signage.
Many runners were disappointed at the decision and were frustrated that the race was not canceled earlier that week when forecasts predicted windy conditions. But for organizers, not having the race was a blow to its chances as a candidate city in its push to be elevated as a major.
But a week later, Abbott World Marathon Majors said it would give 2026 participants a provisional credit toward its majors program. It was also a sign that Cape Town will have a chance to prove it can stay in the running as the possible eighth major marathon.
