Ethiopia’s Mohamed Esa delivered a commanding performance to win the men’s Cape Town Marathon in a course record time of 2:04:55 on Sunday, while Kenya’s legendary Eliud Kipchoge finished a distant 16th.
Esa’s time not only secured victory but also marked the fastest marathon ever run on African soil, underlining the growing stature of the Cape Town race on the global calendar. He led an Ethiopian one two finish, crossing the line just ahead of Yihunilign Adane, who clocked 2:04:59, with Kenya’s Kalipus Lomwai taking third in 2:05:06. Both Adane and Lomwai recorded personal bests in a tightly contested race at the front.
Speaking after his victory, Esa paid tribute to the significance of competing on the continent and to one of the sport’s greatest figures. He described breaking the course record as a special achievement and expressed admiration for Kipchoge, calling him a role model and noting the pride he felt racing alongside him in Africa.
Kipchoge, a two time Olympic champion and widely regarded as one of the greatest marathon runners in history, struggled to match the pace of the leading pack and finished well outside contention. His presence, however, added considerable profile to the event, drawing global attention as organisers continue their push for elite status.
The women’s race completed an Ethiopian sweep. Dera Dida Yami claimed victory in 2:23:18, finishing ahead of compatriots Mestawut Fikir and Waganesh Mekasha, who posted times of 2:23:46 and 2:23:57 respectively. The dominance of Ethiopian runners across both races highlighted the country’s enduring strength in long distance running.
This year’s edition carries added significance for organisers, who are seeking to secure a place for Cape Town among the World Marathon Majors by 2027. Inclusion would see the race join an elite group of global events held in cities such as London, New York, Boston, Chicago, Berlin, Sydney and Tokyo.
The 2026 race is understood to be the final evaluation in that bid, following the cancellation of the 2025 event due to severe weather conditions. A successful assessment would mark a major milestone for African road running, placing Cape Town firmly on the map as a premier destination for elite and amateur athletes alike.
With record breaking performances, strong international participation and growing organisational ambition, this year’s race has strengthened the case for that elevation. Whether it is enough to secure a place among the world’s most prestigious marathons will be decided in the months ahead, but the momentum behind Cape Town’s bid is unmistakable.
