Nelson Mandela Global Running Series Begins in Cape Town with 26,600 Runners

The Nelson Mandela Global Running Series began its journey in Cape Town on 18 October 2026, with 26,600 runners taking to the streets for the inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon.

Under the theme Rise. Remember. Run., the event marked the beginning of an ambitious global movement that will connect runners across cities and continents through the values of Courage, Dignity, Equality, Unity and Freedom.

More than a sporting event, the marathon brought people together to celebrate Nelson Mandela's legacy and reflect on what it means to put his values into action today.

From the Grand Parade to the finish on Darling Street, runners followed a route through some of Cape Town's most historically significant landmarks, including District Six, the Company's Garden, Bo-Kaap and the Sea Point Promenade.

A celebration of athletic achievement

Despite challenging headwinds and the demanding Koesister Hill, the marathon delivered impressive performances.

South Africa's Arthur Jantjies, representing the Pan African Resources Club, won the men's marathon in a personal best time of 2:15:14, narrowly ahead of Lesotho's Tsépo Ramashamole (2:15:24) and Zimbabwe's Moses Tarakinyu (2:15:34).

Ethiopia's Bize Beyira Negasa claimed victory in the women's marathon, finishing in 2:36:42.

The event also featured the Slave Route Challenge Half Marathon, a 10km race and a 5km Run & Walk, creating opportunities for runners of different ages and abilities to participate.

All profits from the event were donated to the Nelson Mandela Foundation in support of its work.

From Cape Town to the world: A global movement takes shape

Ahead of the marathon, the Nelson Mandela Global Running Series was officially launched on Saturday, 17 October, at Cape Town City Hall, the historic site where Nelson Mandela addressed the nation following his release from prison in 1990.

The launch brought together the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Golazo, the Western Cape Government, Robben Island Museum and sporting ambassadors Dr Paul Tergat, Catherine Ndereba, Hendrick Ramaala and Prudence Sekgodiso.

Speaking at the launch, the Foundation's Head of Communications and Marketing, Gaopalelwe Phalaetsile, emphasised that the initiative is about more than participation in sporting events.

The vision, she explained, is "not simply to have millions of people running in Nelson Mandela's name, but millions thinking about what his values demand of us today."

She reflected on the importance of moving beyond remembrance towards action, using sport as a platform to bring communities together and encourage people to put Mandela's values into practice.

The Global Running Series will connect six cities - Cape Town, Nairobi, Paris, Berlin, The Hague and Atlanta - through five shared values: Courage, Dignity, Equality, Unity and Freedom.

Cape Town will serve as the permanent finale of the series and the exclusive host of its 42.2km marathon distance. The longer-term ambition is to expand the movement to 30 cities by 2030.

As Golazo Group Founder and CEO Bob Verbeeck explained, the ambition is to create a global running movement in which crossing the finish line represents something bigger.

The inaugural marathon and launch of the Global Running Series mark an important step in the Foundation's efforts to mobilise Mandela's legacy, connecting communities across borders through sport, shared values and collective action.