Eliud Kipchoge kicked off his ‘World Tour’ in Africa on Sunday (24 May), finishing the Cape Town Marathon in 02:13:29.
Competing in his first marathon in more than six months, the two-time marathon champion from Kenya finished in 16th place, as the South African crowd cheered him with a huge round of applause.
“Cape Town, this was a special day,” Kipchoge said. “Today was a celebration of running on this beautiful course, supported by thousands of incredible fans singing and making music along the route, and by fellow runners sharing the same race.
“You all made our first stop on the tour one we’ll never forget. I’m proud to begin our world tour in Africa and to run my first-ever marathon on home soil. It was the perfect start.”
Ethiopia‘s Mohamed Esa won in 2:04:55, obliterating the previous course record of 2:08:16 set by Ethiopia’s Abdisa Tola in 2024.
Esa’s compatriot Yihunilign Adane was second in 2:04:59 and Kenyan Kalipus Lomwai came third in 02:05:06.
“Eliud is my role model. I love and respect him so much,” race winner Esa said in a post-race interview. “I am really happy to see him being welcomed here and finish the race.
“I was very proud to race with him in Africa, in our homeland. I was very happy to finish together and show the world we are the same family,” he added.
Kipchoge added significant star quality to the Cape Town Marathon, which is currently a candidate for World Marathon Majors status.
The 41-year-old marathon legend Kipchoge is on a mission to run a series of seven marathons across all continents in the next two years, mainly to inspire people to lead healthier lives and unite people through the running community.
“Eliud’s biggest dream has always been to make this world a running world,” read a statement on Kipchoge’s official site about his world quest.
- Eliud Kipchoge to launch marathon world tour in May: “It’s time to race in Africa”
- Eliud Kipchoge on why he will keep running, and not quit at the top: “I want to sell a new story”
What’s next?
Kipchoge’s result in Cape Town was better than his 17th-place finish in his last marathon appearance, at the New York City Marathon, on 2 November 2025. He crossed the line in 02:14:36 at that time.
The next stop in Kipchoge’s world tour is in South America: the Porto Alegre Marathon in Brazil on 12 July.
After that the tour moves to Oceania, as he competes in the Melbourne Marathon in Australia on 11 October.
His next stops, scheduled for North America, Asia, Europe and Antarctica respectively and in that order, are yet to be confirmed.
read more: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/kipchoge-finishes-16th-in-2026-cape-town-marathon-as-eluid-s-world-tour-begins-in-africa
