The 2023 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon took place on a windy Mother City morning, with Ethiopian runners, Adane Kebede Gebre and Tsige Haileslase Abreha, claiming the prestigious titles.
The starting line, nestled beside the iconic DHL Cape Town Stadium in Green Point, offered a deceptive calm as the wind remained hushed. However, once the athletes embarked on the 42.2-kilometre journey, they soon encountered the relentless breezes that tested their endurance and resilience.

2023 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon – Men’s Race
Gebre, the men’s champion, had to grapple with the wind throughout his run, ultimately finishing in 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 28 seconds. While he broke no records, Gebre’s impressive performance demonstrated his tenacity and speed. On the women’s side, Abreha gave her all, coming tantalizingly close to the course record but falling short by just 15 seconds. Nevertheless, her time of 2 hours, 24 minutes, and 17 seconds secured her an Olympic Qualifying mark.
The marathon course showcased the beauty of Cape Town as it meandered through various neighbourhoods, including Woodstock, Rosebank, Rondebosch, Newlands, Mowbray, Observatory, Salt River, and Gardens. The final leg along Sea Point’s Beach Road and Helen Suzman Boulevard provided a challenging finale, with the unforgiving wind making every step a test of determination.
As the elite runners navigated their way through the city, the wind’s impact became evident, affecting not only their speed but also their strategies. The initial group of 27 men remained tightly packed through the first 15 kilometres, as the race favourites observed each other’s moves, avoiding the pitfalls of facing the wind alone.

Gadisa Bekele Gautama eventually dared to push the pace, establishing a slight lead. Yet, his fellow competitors weren’t willing to let him escape, taking turns to lead the chase and ultimately catching up before the race reached the halfway point at Rondebosch Common.
From that point on, the race began to evolve as the men collaborated and increased the pace. The group of 27 slowly whittled down to just 11 main contenders in the final 10 kilometres. South African fans were delighted to witness Melikhaya Frans and Tete Dijana leading the charge during this critical phase. Still, as the race approached its climax, it was Stephen Mokoka who found himself alone among a group of East African runners.
Mokoka made his decisive move after passing the final aid station, staying true to his coach’s words that what he drank at that moment would impact the later stages of the race. His attack only drew Adane Kebede Gebre into a sprint for the finish line. The South African initially held his own, but the relentless wind gradually eroded his lead, allowing Gebre to secure a 6-second victory.
In a post-race interview, a joyful Gebre expressed his satisfaction with the win and praised Cape Town’s hospitality. The podium for the men’s race was rounded out by Benard Kipkorir, with four Ethiopians, three Kenyans, two South Africans, and a Zimbabwean in the top ten.
2023 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon – Women’s Race
The women’s race was equally thrilling, with a strong group of nine runners covering the first 15 kilometres under the guidance of dedicated pacemakers. The halfway mark signalled the beginning of challenges as the wind and the course’s demanding nature began to take their toll.

It was at this point that Haileslase Abreha pushed the pace ultimately leaving only Sheila Chepkech, of Kenya, and four Ethiopians in contention. However, Abreha’s final surge sealed the deal as she broke away from her rivals. Her 15-second lead over Chepkech was insurmountable, and the other Ethiopians were strung out behind at 15-second intervals.
Chepkech eventually slipped to fourth place, while Tsegaye Beyene finished strongly, claiming second and beating the Olympic qualifying mark by a remarkable 38 seconds. Shewarge Alene Amare surged from seventh to third, resulting in a clean sweep of the podium places for of the 2023 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon for Ethiopia. In total, five Ethiopians, three Kenyans, and two South Africans found their names in the elite women’s top ten.
2023 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon – Wheelchair race
The elite wheelchair race was a testament to human resilience as well. In the men’s event, Geert Schipper from the Netherlands dominated the field, breaking away early in the race and securing a commanding victory.

On the women’s side, Eden Rainbow-Cooper from Great Britain displayed a similar level of dominance, winning by a margin of 5 minutes despite the challenging wind.
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is on a quest to become Africa’s first inclusion in the Abbott World Marathon Majors. If they succeed, it would not only be a highlight on every African runner’s calendar, from pros to weekend warriors but also a historic moment for the entire continent and a major boost for the city of Cape Town. Learn more about what that would mean, here and read about the Cape Town Trail Marathon, here.