'We can even run 2:04 to 2:05' - Top Runners target fastest time on African soil at Sanlam Cape Town Marathon

In what is undoubtedly the most competitive elite marathon field to ever be assembled not only on South African soil but the African continent too, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has put together a mouthwatering field of 8 platinum and 10 gold athletes to compete in the race on Sunday 19 October as the event works towards becoming Africa’s very first Abbott World Marathon Major race. Speaking at yesterday’s (17 October) Sanlam Cape Town Marathon CEO Clark Gardner, praised his team for getting them to the final stage of evaluation.

"Our team and over 2500 volunteers have worked hard to ensure that the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon joins the big league and becomes one of the Abbott Marathon World Majors. When you look at the marathon majors, they are dominated by African athletes and here in Cape Town we offer a unique opportunity for these athletes to showcase their talent on African soil and make them feel more at home.” 

Gardener poses with the elite men ahead of the 2025 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on Sunday (19 October). Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg.

Some of those athletes out whom Gardener spoke were present at the press conference. 2:17 marathoner and former Amsterdam Marathon winner Angela Tanui who hails from Kenya will go up against Ethiopia’s 2015 World Champion and 2024 Cape Town Marathon runner-up Mare Dibaba of Ethiopia, as well as the darling of South African distance running Gerda Steyn. “It is exciting for me to run a big city marathon on African soil, and I am looking forward to having a good run on the day. I can’t say that I will be the winner because the field is strong, and everyone wants to be first, so all in all I will just try my best on Sunday," said Tanui. 

With course records being set in both men’s and women’s races last year thanks to the performances of Abdisa Tola Adera (2:08:15) iand South Africa’s Glenrose Xaba breaking Steyn’s South African national record in 2:22:22, both the elite men and women are confident of running even faster this year. After finishing 3^rd in the recent Sydney Marathon which became the 7^th Abbott World Marathon Major, Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana has been tasked with setting a lightening quick 2:06 pace for the first 30km of the race.

The elite women are looking to deliver the first sub 2:20 clocking on African soil. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg.

Excited by the prospect of running the fastest time ever seen on African soil Boki Asefa Kebede, who is the holder of a 2:05:40 personal best and the winner of the 2024 Xiamen Marathon delivered a stern warning his competitors who include SA record holder (2:05:36) Elroy Gelant and three-time winner Stephen Mokoka.

“We can even run 2:04 to 2:05 on Sunday if the weather is ok. It is exciting to be able to run this fast on African soil.” 

Meanwhile, Mokoka who is looking to make history by becoming the first athlete to record four victories in The Mother City’s premier marathon declared himself ready for the challenge. The man who holds the 3^rd fastest time ever by a South African over the marathon thanks to his 2:06:42 confirmed that he will go with the early pace regardless of how fast it id. “Every year the event is getting bigger and even faster so I can’t not see myself running in Cape Town. It will be great to get a 4^th victory and cement myself as one of the legends of the race but the field is very strong so I will just try my best and anything can happen on the day. I follow the leaders”