Legendary marathoner Eliud Kipchoge has announced that the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon will be the first stop of an ambitious new project that will see him run marathons on all seven continents over the next two years.
The historic initiative, titled Eliud’s Running World, aims to inspire people across the globe to embrace running and healthier lifestyles while uniting communities through sport. The journey begins in Cape Town on Sunday, 24 May 2026, when thousands of runners will gather for one of Africa’s fastest-growing road races.
For Eliud Kipchoge, the decision to begin his global running tour in Africa carries profound personal significance. Widely regarded as the greatest marathon runner in history, the Kenyan icon says launching the project in Cape Town reflects the roots of his journey and the continent that shaped him as an athlete.
“Africa is where my journey as a runner began and where the foundation of my success is deeply rooted,” Kipchoge said.
“To start this World Tour in Cape Town is very special. It is about celebrating the strength of African running and inspiring the next generation. To race my first ever marathon on the African continent holds deep meaning for me. I cannot wait.”
Kipchoge’s Running World project will see him compete in seven marathons across the globe, one on each continent. Along the way, he plans to meet local running communities, share his philosophy of discipline and consistency, and inspire runners of all abilities to embrace the sport.
The initiative also has a strong charitable dimension. Funds raised through the tour will support the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, which focuses on environmental conservation and expanding access to education in underserved communities.
While Kipchoge has raced marathons around the world, including victories at the London Marathon and the Berlin Marathon, the Cape Town race will mark a symbolic milestone in his career: his first marathon run on African soil.
That moment is expected to draw enormous global attention, particularly as the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon continues its rapid rise on the international road running calendar.
Over the past decade, the race has evolved into one of the most significant marathon events in the Southern Hemisphere. In 2026, more than 27,000 runners are expected to line up at the start, a powerful sign of the event’s growing stature.
The race is also currently a candidate for inclusion in the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors, which features some of the most iconic marathons in the world. If successful, it would become the first African race to earn Major status — a milestone that could reshape the global marathon landscape.
Race organizers believe Kipchoge’s participation could play a significant role in accelerating that vision.
Clark Gardner, CEO of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, said hosting the sport’s greatest marathoner for such a meaningful race represents a defining moment for both the event and African distance running.
“Eliud represents the very best of what running can inspire,” Gardner said.
“To see him race our streets, meet our communities and engage with young runners across the city will be incredibly powerful. Moments like this remind us what is possible when the world’s greatest athletes connect with the places and people that shaped the sport.”
Cape Town’s spectacular route, which winds through the coastal city beneath the towering backdrop of Table Mountain, has become one of the race’s defining attractions. For many runners, the opportunity to compete alongside Kipchoge on such a stage will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Beyond the elite competition, the marathon weekend has grown into a major celebration of running culture, bringing together professional athletes, amateur runners and fans from around the world.
For Kipchoge, the journey is about much more than racing.
His vision is to turn running into a universal language that connects people across cultures and continents. By running a marathon on each continent, he hopes to demonstrate that sport has the power to bring communities together and inspire positive change.
When the starting gun fires in Cape Town next May, it will mark not just the beginning of a race — but the beginning of a global journey led by one of the most inspiring figures the sport has ever known.