Sanlam Cape Town Marathon celebrated becoming the first Abbot World Marathon Majors (Abbott WMM) Race in Africa on Wednesday 10 June, and David Weir CBE attended to represent wheelchair racing for the second and final assessment.
Weir finished the distance in 01:30.20, placing first in the men’s wheelchair racing competition.
Speaking to Abbott WMM, Weir said: “It’s nice to be involved, and hopefully they will get the pass, it looks like they will, to be part of the Majors next year, and it will be a great thing for the whole of Africa.”
“If I can be part of that and promote wheelchair racing as much as I can, like I do in every race, I’m happy to be here and helping the guys to make it a major Marathon.”
This made Cape Town the eighth member of this famous marathon series, consisting of London, Boston, Sydney, Tokyo, Chicago, New York City and Berlin.
The marathon spans a distance of 26.2 miles, starting at Cape Town Stadium, passing the Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town City Hall and St. George’s Cathedral, and finishing at the Stadium.
Finishers of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon will be able to win a provisional star in the next few weeks.
Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Majors Chairman Francois Pienaar said to the Abbott World Marathon Majors: “We have always believed that the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon could be Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Major, so becoming a candidate race is a tremendous honour”.
The Abbott WMM is a series of eight Marathons in different locations across the world, including London, Boston, Tokyo, Berlin, New York City, Chicago, and now Cape Town. There are races for both elite athletes and point-based championships, categorised into age groups.
Shanghai will be joining the Abbott WMM next year, becoming the ninth city to host the prestigious event. Participants will have the chance of winning the Nine Star Medal upon completing all nine WMM marathons. It will take place on May 23 2027.