SPORT NEWS - Sanlam and the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon today confirmed the renewal of Sanlam’s title sponsorship for a further five years, securing the partnership through to 2031.
Since 2014, the Sanlam Group has supported the marathon at every stage of its evolution.
From its early promise as the Mother City’s race, with international appeal, it has grown into Africa’s premier marathon and a global contender.
Over the past decade, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has set a new benchmark for elite performance, delivering record-breaking times and attracting the strongest elite fields ever assembled on African soil.
Sanlam says the renewed sponsorship comes at a pivotal moment. “Participation has expanded dramatically in the past few years, and the marathon continues to advance its bid to join the Abbott World Marathon Majors.”
Last year, many commentators and athletes were aghast at the cancellation of the 2025 Cape Town Marathon following damage to infrastructure caused by strong overnight winds shortly before the race was due to start, but Abbott World Marathon Majors supported the decision to cancel the race.
Shadi Chauke, Group Executive: Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Sanlam, says the renewal is about backing a long-term vision for the continent and helping position Africa confidently where it belongs - on the world stage.
“It is no secret that the continent has an extraordinary depth of running talent - more than 80% of the world’s top marathon elite runners come from Africa. It is inspiring that these athletes have the opportunity to compete on their home soil in a race of this level.
“Beyond the race itself, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has become a powerful economic driver for Cape Town and a catalyst for social progress, and we look forward to seeing that impact grow in the years ahead,” she says.
The marathon has generated an estimated R800 million in local economic impact, while drawing tens of thousands of visitors to the city.
Participation has climbed steadily, with marathon entries growing from just over 13 000 in 2022 to a projected 27 000 in 2026, a reflection of both rising international interest and deepening local support.
The event’s growth has been guided by Faces, which owns and operates the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. “For an event like this, belief from a partner matters as much as funding,” said Clark Gardner, CEO of Faces.
In 2026, the event will take another significant step forward by welcoming 10 000 international runners to the start line of the marathon, as well as hosting the 2026 Marathon Tours & Travel Age Group World Championships.
This further strengthens Cape Town’s position as a global meeting point for road running talent and widens the performance pathway for athletes.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
