Wesgro congratulates the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on its historic confirmation as the eighth Abbott World Marathon Major, and the first on African soil.
This is not simply a milestone for sport. It is a defining moment for Cape Town and the Western Cape’s position as a world-class destination, and a powerful signal to the global events, tourism and investment communities that the province competes at the highest level.
The economic implications are significant. A Major draws international runners, their families, media and sponsors. According to the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, this sporting event is projected to contribute to approximately R800 million in local travel, accommodation and meals alone. This speaks directly to the Western Cape’s tourism growth agenda, and to the multiplier effect that major sporting events have across the economy.
Wesgro CEO, Wrenelle Stander, said: “For Wesgro, this announcement validates a core tenet of our destination strategy: that Cape Town and the Western Cape’s appeal is not merely scenic or cultural, but competitive, capable of hosting and sustaining events that sit alongside Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, Sydney and New York. We commend Clark Gardner and his team, Sanlam as a steadfast long-term partner, the City of Cape Town, and every runner, volunteer and community member whose participation across the candidacy years made this possible.”
City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, said: “The City of Cape Town is incredibly proud to host the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon as Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Major. This milestone is not only a win for the event, but also for our visitor economy. It places Cape Town in the global spotlight, attracting more visitors, increasing tourism spend, and creating opportunities for local businesses and jobs across a wide range of sectors. As part of our broader strategy to grow the visitor economy, we are focused on attracting more events, more flights, and more visitors to Cape Town, ensuring that the economic benefits are felt by communities throughout our city.”
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, said: “The inclusion of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon as Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Major is a landmark achievement that directly supports the Western Cape Government’s Growth for Jobs Strategy. Major events of this calibre accelerate economic growth by driving tourism demand, creating jobs, and unlocking opportunities. We look forward to welcoming runners from across the province, South Africa, and the world.”
“The ballot for the 2027 race is open now. We encourage runners across the globe to enter and come and discover Cape Town and the Western Cape – with love from the locals” concluded Wesgro CEO, Wrenelle Stander.
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