CAPE TOWN - Africa’s bid to secure a place among the world’s marathon elite has received a major endorsement.
Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge has arrived in Cape Town in support of the City’s push to become an Abbott World Marathon Major. He was welcome by Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
The 15th edition of the Cape Town Marathon will take place this coming weekend on 23 and 24 May.
The two-time Olympic champion says the move could redefine long-distance running on the continent.
Kipchoge is also launching his ambitious World Marathon Tour, aiming to complete races across all the continents.
Kipchoge said: "I am really rooting for the Cape Town Marathon to be among the World Major Marathons. This is our only Marathon where we need to feel pride because this is where we sell our culture as Africans.”
Cape Town Marathon organisers said Kipchoge’s visit carries significance for the future of road running on the continent. They believe the Kenyan superstar’s global influence and success have helped strengthen their bid.
“It is significant, but it is also in honouring a great athlete. His performances has inspired us to bring Africa it’s first marathon. His performances pioneered the path and allowed us to attract Abbott World Marathon Majors to allowing Africa to have a first major. This is about someone that has inspired us," said one of the organisers Clark Gardner.
Hill-Lewis said it was an honour to have Kipchoge run his first marathon on the African continent in Cape Town.
"When the news broke that Eliud Kipchoge was coming to Cape Town, my phone started to buzz with the running community in Cape Town saying, 'oh my word, we cannot believe the GOAT, the greatest is coming to our City'. As far as I understand this is his first marathon on the African continent and he has chosen to run it in Cape Town. What an amazing honour. That is something that blows me away.”
Report by Justin Ford