The first Nelson Mandela Marathon, under the banner "Rise. Remember. Run.", united more than 30,000 runners of all abilities on Sunday, 18 October.  

South African runner Arthur Jantjies of Pan African Resources Club stormed to victory in the men's 42km race on Sunday, 18 October. Jantjies crossed the finish with a finishing time of 2:15:14, claiming the inaugural men's title.  

Ethiopia's Bize Beyira Negassa of Nedbank Running Club took the inaugural women's title with a winning time of 2:36:42.  

Organised by international sports events company Golazo in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the event is designed to connect endurance sport with the "values of dignity, justice, equality and freedom".   

Cape Town's old-world history is visible along its highways and etched into its street pavements, but keeping its stories alive in a meaningful way requires fresh ways to connect people with the past.

And this is exactly what the Mother City's inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon has done. Bringing together Madiba's legacy, the historic Slave Route Challenge and Cape Town's growing place on the global marathon stage, this new event is about much more than crossing the finish line.  

A race through Cape Town's history

One of the event's defining features is the incorporation of the much-loved Slave Route Challenge, established in 2011 and now part of the Nelson Mandela Marathon programme through a partnership with Itheko Sport Athletic Club.

The historic race has long offered runners a different perspective on the Mother City, tracing streets and landmarks that tell the often painful story of Cape Town's colonial and slave history.  

This year's routes took participants through District Six, past Parliament and the Company's Garden, and into Bo-Kaap, with the half-marathon tackling the notorious Koesister Hill.    

From Cape Town to the world: Major upcoming events

Attracting more than 30k participants across its 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km distances, all profits from the Cape Town event will be donated to the Nelson Mandela Foundation in support of its ongoing work. 

Earlier this year, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon made sporting history when it was confirmed as Africa's first Abbott World Marathon Major, joining the likes of Boston, Berlin, London, Tokyo, Chicago, New York and Sydney.  

Likewise, the Mandela Marathon's ambition stretches well beyond the Mother City. From 2027, organisers plan to expand the concept internationally through the Nelson Mandela Marathon Global Running Series, taking the event's message of unity and social justice to cities around the world.

Notably, the inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon also serves as a qualifier for both the Comrades Marathon and Two Oceans Marathon.

The Two Oceans Marathon returns with an expanded programme from 31 March to 4 April 2027, while the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon makes its official debut as Africa's first Abbott World Marathon Major on 23 May.

Just weeks later, Durban will celebrate another milestone with the 100th running of the legendary Comrades Marathon on 13 June.

If you've ever considered getting into running, there couldn't be a more historic year than 2027 to lace up and get going.