NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge has chosen the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon as the starting point for his ambitious global initiative known as “Eliud’s Running World,” also referred to as the Eliud Kipchoge World Tour.
The two-time Olympic champion will line up in Cape Town, South Africa, on Sunday, May 24, 2026, marking a historic moment as it will be his first-ever marathon race on African soil.
The race will launch a two-year global challenge in which Kipchoge plans to run a 42.2-kilometre marathon on each of the seven continents, using the tour to inspire people worldwide to embrace running for healthier and more connected lives.
A marathon mission beyond competition
Beyond athletic achievement, the world tour will also serve as a major fundraising campaign.
Through the initiative, Kipchoge aims to raise $1 million (about Sh130 million) for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation.
The funds will support education and environmental programmes, including building libraries and schools as well as forest restoration projects.
“Africa is where my journey as a runner began and where the foundation of my success is deeply rooted,” Kipchoge said in a statement.
“To start this World Tour in Cape Town is very special. It is about celebrating the strength of African running and inspiring the next generation.”
Boost for the Cape Town Marathon
Organisers say Kipchoge’s participation adds major momentum to the rapidly growing race, which is expected to attract more than 27,000 runners in 2026.
The Cape Town Marathon is currently in its final evaluation year for inclusion in the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a prestigious global circuit that includes races such as the Boston Marathon, London Marathon, and Berlin Marathon.
If approved, the event would become Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Major.
All finishers in the 2026 race will receive a provisional Abbott World Marathon Majors star, pending final confirmation of the event’s major status.
The marathon will also host the AbbottWMM Marathon Tours & Travel Age Group World Championships, drawing elite age-group runners from across the globe.
Inspiring the next generation
Clark Gardner, chief executive of the Cape Town Marathon, welcomed the Kenyan star’s participation, describing it as a powerful moment for the sport.
“Eliud represents the very best of what running can inspire. To see him race our streets, meet our communities, and engage with young runners across the city will be incredibly powerful,” Gardner said.
The Cape Town race will be the first of seven stops in Kipchoge’s global marathon quest, with additional races across Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Oceania, and Antarctica expected to be announced later this week.
For Africa’s running community, the decision to launch the tour on the continent marks a symbolic moment, shining a global spotlight on the region widely regarded as the birthplace of the world’s greatest distance runners.