Cape Town Marathon seeks 15 000 finishers to achieve World Major status in October's race

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is bigger and better this year and with an ease in Covid-19 restrictions, the Mother City will be bustling with activity.

This year's race is scheduled from 15-16 October and will make its debut as an Abbott World Marathon Majors candidate race.

The event was officially named as a candidate race in August last year, becoming Africa's first World Marathon Major to join the multi-year assessment process.

This year, the AbbottWMM organisers are also offering international participants a guaranteed entry to the event should it become Abbott World Marathon Majors race.

The running festival weekend also includes the Gold Label Status road marathon and two trail runs - 22km and 46km. 

For the Cape Town Marathon to achieve its Major status and join the likes of the Boston Marathon, it needs to have 15 000 runners finish the 42.2km race.

On Wednesday at the V&A Waterfront, the Cape Town Marathon announced its breakthrough partnership with Adidas, which will serve as the official apparel and provide services for avid runners during the race.

"Adidas is going to be an incredible partner and from the elite athletes' side, they will play a role in ensuring that we have some of Adidas' top athletes will compete in Cape Town," 1992 Olympic silver medallist Elana Meyer told Sport24.

"But it's also for local runners and athletes; Adidas can bring so much and enhance their race. It's going to add to the event and help us to grow from a Gold Label global race to become a Major event."

SA Olympic long-distance runner @gerdarun and Paralympic gold medalist @AnRUNel are new signings for @adidasZA and will be running this year’s @CTMarathon pic.twitter.com/k7Ha9JU8NX

As South Africans get back to normal in the ongoing