Mohamed Esa ensured the 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon would be remembered for far more than Eliud Kipchoge’s highly anticipated African marathon debut, after the Ethiopian delivered the fastest marathon ever recorded on African soil on Sunday.
While much of the pre-race attention focused on Kipchoge’s first competitive marathon appearance in Africa, it was fellow East African Esa who stole the spotlight in the Mother City, storming to victory in a sensational 2:04:55.
The Ethiopian obliterated the previous course record of 2:08:16, set by compatriot Abdisa Tola in 2024, while also surpassing the fastest marathon time previously recorded in Africa — Morocco’s Hicham Laqouahi’s 2:06:32 from 2020. After an enthralling battle at the front, Esa broke away in the closing stages and powered through the final 3km before extending his advantage over the last kilometre.
“To be honest, I was not thinking about the course record, because my target was to win the race in my African homeland,” Esa said afterwards.
“I am really happy that I could do both. I also want to say that this course is very nice, and everyone here is very supportive of running in Africa, so I am even more proud to win this African marathon.”
Compatriot Yihunilign Adane crossed the line just four seconds later in 2:04:59, while Kenya’s Kalipus Lomwai completed the podium in 2:05:06, as the elite men’s race produced unprecedented depth. Remarkably, the first 10 finishers all ran faster than the previous course record in what organisers described as the strongest marathon field ever assembled in Africa.
Kipchoge, widely regarded as the greatest marathon runner of all time, faded out of contention during the latter stages and eventually finished 16th in 2:13:29.
The leading South African home was former three-time champion Stephen Mokoka, whose 2:10:48 secured 13th place. Matlakala Bennet Seloyi followed with a personal best of 2:12:17, while marathon debutant Anthony Timoteus impressed with 2:13:04.
The women’s race was also dominated by Ethiopia, with Dera Dida Yami leading a clean sweep of the podium. Yami claimed victory in 2:23:18, finishing just under a minute outside Glenrose Xaba’s course record of 2:22:22 set last year.
Mestawut Fikir finished second in 2:23:46, while Waganesh Amare completed the Ethiopian podium lockout in 2:23:57.
“I came here to win the race — that was my goal — so around 36km, I felt very confident that the race was mine to win,” said Yami.
“On Friday, I was discussing with myself trying to break the course record, and I was also thinking about it while racing, but there was some wind and a few curves on the route that slowed us slightly. I’ll be very, very happy to come back next year and try to break the course record.”
There was further history in the wheelchair races as Britain’s David Weir and Switzerland’s Manuela Schär both shattered course records in their respective divisions.
The performances capped a landmark day for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon as the event edges closer to securing Abbott World Marathon Majors status.