New marathon launched, as Cape Town Marathon in flux

South Africa's sporting calendar has a new marathon, with the Nelson Mandela Foundation announcing the start of the Nelson Mandela Legacy Sporting Series this October.

Set to drive social impact through sport, the race announcement comes as the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, scheduled for 24 May, faces scrutiny. The Mandela Foundation series, recently unveiled at Sanctuary Mandela, includes four flagship events culminating in the debut of the Nelson Mandela Marathon in Cape Town on 18 October 2026.

The series will also include:

• Mandela Day Walk & Run: Johannesburg (19 July 2026)
• Legacy Ride4Hope: Maputo to Howick (2–5 September 2026)
• Nelson Mandela Remembrance Walk & Run: Tshwane (5 December 2026)

Cape Town marathon landscape in flux

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, usually held in October each year, was cancelled last year due to bad weather and disrupting momentum for what had been Africa’s leading candidate for World Marathon Major status.  

This year's event, now scheduled for May, has also reportedly seen several elite international runners withdraw from the 2026 race—the runners in question include Stephen Kiprop, Elroy Gelant, and Shuko Genemo.

Their absence has raised concerns about the race’s competitiveness and global appeal at a critical time. Marathon star Eliud Kipchoge confirmed earlier this year that the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon will be the first stop on Eliud’s Running World, his new seven-continent marathon tour.  

Mandela Marathon aims to be global contender

Against this backdrop, the newly introduced Nelson Mandela Marathon in Cape Town is being positioned as both a symbolic and strategic addition to the calendar. Organisers say the event will attract up to 20,000 runners across multiple race categories and aims to grow into an international showcase rooted in Madiba’s legacy.

Mbongiseni Buthelezi, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, stated that the initiative unifies existing events while expanding participation through a shared mission of social justice and active citizenship. 

Funds raised will support programmes focused on equality, dialogue, and community upliftment. 

With registrations opening soon, the Foundation is inviting runners, partners, and the public to take part in what it describes as an evolving movement - one that could reshape both South Africa’s sporting calendar and its social impact landscape.

ALSO SEE: Cape Town voted one of the world's best cities for culture!