Global stars confirm participation in Sanlam Cape Town marathon

Elana Meyer

The organisers aim to make history by becoming the first race in South Africa to achieve IAAF Gold label status. A faster, flatter route has already been confirmed, and the course will be discussed in more detail, along with any further changes, in the build-up to the race.

"Last year there were concerns with the route, which made the race a little slower than we had hoped, so this has been one of the main focus points ahead of this year's event," says race ambassador, Elana Meyer.

"Having earned Silver Label status at our first attempt, we know we are on the right track, but there are some areas where we know we can improve, and various tweaks to the route could make a notable difference for participants hoping to achieve personal bests."

Elite men's field

Meanwhile, organisers confirmed the line-up would be further boosted by a number of global stars who would chase the men's and women's course records set last year by Kenyan Willy Kibor Koitile (2:10:45) and Ethiopian Meseret Mengistu Biru (2:30:57).

The elite international men's field includes David Kemboi Kiyeng, Peter Lotogor Kamais, Willy Kibor Koitile (Kenya), Abraham Girma Bekele, Dereje Debele Tulu, Haile Haja Gemeda, Andualem Belay Shiferaw (Ethiopia), Yuki Kawauchi (Japan) and Nicholas Kipngeno Kemboi (Qatar).

The South African rising stars consist of Xolisa Tyali, Gladwin Mzazi and Africa Mailola. The domestic contingent also includes some of the country's most accomplished athletes, including 43 year old Hendrick Ramaala, who won the 2004 New York Marathon, and 42 year old Shadrack Hoff, a former SA record holder over 5,000m on the track, with both men targeting the veterans' title. Shaun Meiklejohn (53), who won the Comrades ultra-marathon in 1995, lines up in the masters' division.

Local women athletes

The elite women's line-up also boasts a handful of promising local athletes, with a strong international field still to be revealed. Already confirmed are Cornelia Joubert, Zintle Xiniwe, Nolene Conrad and Diana-Lebo Phalula.

"The elite field plays a key role in our attempt to gain Gold Label status, as we need to ensure there are at least five Gold Label athletes from five different countries," says Meyer.

Ultra-distance specialist Caroline Wostmann will also attend the event, turning out in the Peace Run 10km race. Wostmann, who became only the fourth person to win the Comrades and Two Oceans ultras in the same year earlier this season, was named Athlete of the Year at the annual women's GSport Awards held last week.

Pre-entries for all race distances close at midnight on Saturday, 5 September 2015. Late entries will be accepted for the 10km Peace Run and Fun Run at the Event Expo, but no late entries will be accepted for the Marathon or Trail Runs.