Cape Town Marathon joins World Marathon Majors as first African race
via The Namibian1 min read
Cape Town has been added to the World Marathon Majors, becoming the first African race in the elite series. It joins London, New York, Boston, Chicago, Berlin, Sydney, and Tokyo. Dawna Stone, chief executive of Abbott World Marathon Majors, stated that Cape Town's unique culture and setting will bring a new dimension to the series. This year's marathon in May saw double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge participate, with Ethiopian Mohamed Esa winning in a course record of 2:04:55, the fastest marathon time recorded in Africa. Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis welcomed the decision, attributing it to years of hard work. Organizers anticipate the Major status will provide a significant economic boost to Cape Town, including approximately $49 million in spending on travel, accommodation, and meals. The next Cape Town Marathon is scheduled for May 23, 2027. The 2025 marathon was canceled due to high winds posing safety concerns for runners.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
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