"I'm optimistic" - Durban International Marathon to apply for Major Status

As athletes from South Africa and the rest of Africa prepare to compete in the Durban International Marathon on Sunday, 3 May, the event's founder, Steve Mkasi, has shared his plans to secure Abbott World Marathon Major candidate status for the race by 2030. Mkasi made these remarks during a pre-race press conference held at the Riverside Hotel in Durban on today (Friday 1 May).

Now in its sixth edition, the race, which commences in Isipingo Prospection, has experienced significant growth and has become a popular platform for elite athletes seeking to achieve fast times. With the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon poised to become a major marathon, pending the outcome of the final stage of assessment this year, Mkasi is optimistic that this development will create opportunities for the Durban International Marathon to attract more participants in the future.

Mkasi is confident that the Durban International Marathon will enjoy Abbott World Marathon Major Status by 2030. Photo Credit: Durban International Marathon.

"We are positive that the Cape Town Marathon will get the major status this year. It's not good to have two major candidates in one country. If Cape Town becomes a major, it will mean that to run you must apply through ballot system and have to compete for an entry with many runners for overseas who will be looking to run the race," explains Mkasi.

"So Durban International will be the perfect choice for runners if they want to run a World Athletics label race. We still have to get few things right from a mass participation perspective for our candidate status to be approved. But I'm optimistic that by 2030, we will see the Durban International Marathon being a major race."

The news was met with enthusiasm by Enock Skosana, Chairperson of Athletics South Africa (ASA) Road Running. He also voiced his backing for the race, highlighting its suitability for achieving fast times.

The Durban International Marathon offers African athletes the opportunity to run a fast time in a World Athletics Label Race to open doors for competition in Europe, Asia and the United States. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"I fully support the Durban International Marathon if they want to become the major candidate. Most elite athletes in the country describes the race as the fastest in the country. It will also means more opportunities for the athletes as they can choose between Cape Town and Durban International," said Skosana. 

Top Runners shared Skosana’s sentiments. Maxed Elite athlete Cornelius Kipchumba Yego, who hails from Kenya, said this will open more opportunities for African runners (as was the case when Lesotho's Tebello Ramakongona won the 2023 edition) as they won't have to go to Europe to find the fast races. 

"I think it's a good thing if the race applies to be a major. It will bring more opportunities to the athletes in Africa. It’s hard to get a race overseas so having our own means a lot to me. I'm hoping that their application will be successful," explain Yego who as the holder of a 2:10:08 lifetime best set at the 2024 Graz Marathon in Austria, is one of the favourites to win the 2026 Durban International Marathon.