On Tuesday, Eliud Kipchoge appeared on the Sanlam Cape City Marathon expo forward of the primary cease on his World Marathon Tour. Kipchoge advised eNCA he needs Cape City, South Africa, to turn into the subsequent Abbott World Marathon Main (AWMM); the operating icon is lacing up as a result of he needs to carry the AWMMs to Africa, and he says Cape City is the place to begin.
Cape City is presently in its closing spherical of evaluations. If the marathon is a hit on Could 24 and meets all standards, it’ll turn into the subsequent world main in 2027, introducing a brand new Eight Star Medal to those that full all of the majors.
Eliud Kipchoge is in Cape City backing town’s bid to turn into Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Main. The marathon legend says the transfer might redefine long-distance operating on the continent as he begins his World Marathon Tour throughout seven continents. Tune in to #eNCA,… pic.twitter.com/CSTvHorAJo
— eNCA (@eNCA) Could 19, 2026
Kipchoge needs a significant in Africa
When 41-year-old Kipchoge ran his final skilled race on the 2025 TCS New York Marathon, he started a brand new operating journey. Throughout the post-race press convention, Kipchoge introduced his plan to run seven marathons throughout seven continents in two years. He’s kicking his journey off by endorsing Cape City’s bid to turn into the subsequent AWMM.
“That is Africa, and Africa is our continent. I’m actually rooting for Cape City to be among the many world’s main marathons,” Kipchoge advised eNCA. “I wish to urge all 53 nations in Africa to put money into Cape City. That is our solely marathon the place we have to really feel satisfaction; we have to work on it as a result of that is the place we promote our tradition as Africans.”
To turn into an Abbott World Marathon Main, the race should meet particular standards on participation, group, certification, sustainability and legacy for 2 consecutive years.
Is Kipchoge the X-factor?
In October 2025, Cape City cancelled its race 75 minutes earlier than the beginning due to security considerations (as a consequence of excessive wind), leaving 24,000 members dissatisfied and elevating doubts concerning the occasion’s future as a world main. Shortly after the cancellation, AWMM confirmed the analysis could be rescheduled; the ultimate evaluation begins this weekend.
Kipchoge’s surprising look has added much more pleasure to a weekend during which followers might already obtain an AWMM star. The 27,000 members will earn provisional stars for finishing the marathon. If Cape City passes the final spherical of evaluations and formally turns into the eighth AWMM in 2027, these stars will rely in direction of the brand new Eight Star Medal.
In 2023, when the Sydney Marathon was being evaluated for the subsequent AWMM, it sought to enlist Kipchoge to run its course and convey extra recognition to the occasion. Although their bid was profitable, Kipchoge didn’t make an look till after they turned a significant (when he ran the race in 2025). His presence in Cape City might give it the push wanted to cross the analysis.
