Eliud Kipchoge reveals excitement ahead of his first ever Marathon in Africa
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 28.03.26. | 21:31
His last competitive race in the distance dates back to Sunday, 2 November 2025 where he timed 2:14:36 for 17th place at the New York City Marathon
All eyes will be on former World Record-holder, two-time Olympic champion and the only man to ever run a sub-2-hour marathon (unofficial), Eliud Kipchoge, as he takes on a deep field, in what will be his first African race in the classic distance, at this year’s Cape Town Marathon scheduled for Sunday, 24 May.
On paper, he is the fastest man on the field, with a personal best of 2:01:09, which set a then World Record in 2022.
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At 41, he is still posting world-class times, having clocked 2:05:25 in London last year, which still makes him one of the fastest runners in the field for Cape Town in terms of recent best times.
“It is truly special for me to run my first-ever marathon on African soil. The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon represents not only a beautiful and dynamic race, but also a powerful connection to the continent that has shaped so many great athletes,” says Kipchoge.
He continued, “I am excited to experience this event for the first time, to feel the energy of the course, and most importantly, to meet and share this moment with the fans.
Running has always been about unity, and I look forward to celebrating that spirit together in Cape Town.”
His last competitive race in the distance dates back to Sunday, 2 November 2025, where he timed 2:14:36 for 17th place at the New York City Marathon.
After that, he announced that instead of retiring completely, he was evolving to a new phase, focusing on running for purpose, charity, and a "world tour" across all seven continents, rather than chasing major records.
The next-fastest man in the field is another Kenyan, Stephen Kiprop (2:03:37), followed by Israel’s Maru Teferi (2:04:44), and then come a host of 2:05 marathoners: Kenyans Bernard Biwott (2:05:25) and Justus Kangogo (2:05:57), Ethiopians Yihunilign Adane (2:05:33), Mulugeta Asefa Uma (2:05:33) and Boki Kebede Asefa (2:05:40), and South African record-holder Elroy Gelant (2:05:36).
Other notable runners to look out for include 2:06 marathoners Jemal Yimer Mekonen and Adane Gebre Kebede, both from Ethiopia, South African Stephen Mokoka, a three-time winner in Cape Town, Isaac Mpofu (Zimbabwe) and Leonard Langat (Kenya).
Mokoka won in Cape Town in 2018, 2021 and 2022, while Kebede was the winner in 2023, as well as runner-up in 2024.
Further local flavour will be added by 2:09 marathoners Desmond Mokgobu and Nadeel Wildschutt, whose brother and multiple SA Record-holder, Adriaan, will be on pacing duties for the men’s elite field, while 2:10 marathoner Thabang Mosiako will be looking to join them with a sub-2:10.
Meanwhile, former SA 10km Record-holder Precious Mashele will be making his marathon debut, and former South African trail international Kane Reilly will be running his first road marathon.