Here are the latest results I could verify for the 2026 Cape Town Marathon, based on recent reports.
Overview
- The 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon took place on May 24, 2026, with about 27,000 runners starting in Cape Town. Elite winners were Ethiopian runners: Huseydin Mohamed Esa won the men’s race in 2:04:55, while Dera Dida Yami won the women’s race in 2:23:18. These results reflect the elite race outcomes, with broad participation across the field [source: Runner's World coverage of the event, May 2026] [source: Cape Town-focused race reporting from May 2026].
Elite results
- Men: 1) Huseydin Mohamed Esa (ETH) 2:04:55; 2) Yihunilign Adane (ETH) 2:04:59; 3) Kalipus Lomwai (KEN) 2:05:06; 4) Leonard Langat (KEN) 2:05:26. These figures come from contemporaneous race reporting on the elite results for CPT 2026 [source: Runner's World live results summary] [source: additional CPT marathon coverage from May 2026].
- Women: 1) Dera Dida Yami (ETH) 2:23:18; 2) Mestawut Fikir (ETH) 2:23:46; 3) Waganesh Amare (ETH) 2:23:57; 4) Leah Cheruto (KEN) 2:24:31. Further top-10 details and splits were published by race coverage outlets at the time [source: Runner's World results article] [source: CPT marathon media coverage May 2026].
Context and notes
- Cape Town was vying to join the Abbott World Marathon Majors, with 2026 marking the final candidacy year; the field was strong with several Pacers and a hefty prize purse driving fast times, even as late withdrawals had some impact on the elite lineup. This context is described in race previews and post-race analyses around the 2026 event [source: Cape Town marathon reporting May 2026] [source: capetown.today/related reporting May 2026].
- On the ground, organizers emphasized the “Spirit of Resilience” branding and the event’s status as Africa’s first AbbottWMM candidate, which helps explain the high-caliber field and performance expectations for 2026 [source: Supersport / race preview pieces May 2026].
Would you like me to pull the full top-10 finishers for both genders or provide a downloadable CSV of the elite results? I can also summarize how the 2026 results compare to the 2025 CPT results if that would help.
Sources
The race is looking to become the first African World Marathon Major.
www.runnersworld.comSanlam Cape Town Marathon 2026, 24 May, Cape Town. Africa s first Abbott WMM Candidate. Marathon 42.2km · Trail 43km/22km/11km · Peace Runs 10km/5km.
www.ski-nordique.netThe Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has recently made significant strides in its journey to join the international Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) series after the 2024 edition
mybestruns.comA nation redefining depth, discipline and distance running. Japan is no longer just competing in the global marathon conversation — it is shaping it. Japan has fir
mybestruns.comThe Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is a City Marathon held in Cape Town, South Africa, which is sponsored by Sanlam, the City of Cape Town and Vital Health Foods. The marathon is held on a fast and flat course, starting and finishing in Green Point, near the Cape Town Stadium. Prior to existing in its current format, the Cape Town Marathon was organised by Celtic Harriers running club. It started and finished in Pinelands, and was introduced in 1994. This was then followed by a separately organised...
mybestruns.comLate pull-outs, record purses, & Eliud Kipchoge rewrite the script for the 2026 Cape Town Marathon. Expect drama & world-class times.
capetown.todayRun the 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon! Discover charity entries, ITO packages, course changes, training tips & more for Africa's only Gold-Label race.
capetown.todayThis makes Kipchoge one of the fastest runners on current form in the Cape Town field, with only Mohamed Esa (Ethiopia) having gone faster – 2:04:49 in the 2025 Chicago Marathon – while another Kenyan, Benard Kipkurui Biwott, has an identical season best to Kipchoge. Esa’s PB of 2:04:39 makes him the second-fastest man in the field historically, so he will line up as one of the outright favourites for the win, but there will be a host of world-class athletes looking to give him a run for his...
supersport.comThe standout performance came from France’s Maxime Chaumeton, who stormed to victory in the men’s race in 27:41, subject to official confirmation, shaving 12 seconds off the previous course record. South African rising star Thapelo Ramokhoase followed closely behind in 28:33, securing a massive personal best in a performance that sparked excitement among local athletics fans online. Cwenga Nose rounded out the podium in 28:59 after another strong showing on the national stage.
www.capetownetc.com