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The Nelson Mandela Foundation is planning to host the inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon in Cape Town today, marking the beginning of a global marathon series. The event, labeled as the world’s first value-based running series, falls under the Mandela Legacy Sporting Series. Dr. Mbongiseni Buthelezi, the CEO of the Foundation, emphasized that the race aims to inspire individuals to consider what Madiba’s values demand from us today, and how we can turn these principles into tangible action.

Buthelezi stated that the Cape Town marathon will serve as the anchor event and will be held annually in the city during October. However, the Foundation intends to expand the marathon series by introducing new cities around the globe annually. By 2030, they aim to have thirty cities hosting Nelson Mandela Marathons, with the first four additional cities to be launched next year, in 2027, including Nairobi, The Hague, and Atlanta. Each host city will determine its marathon timing based on local weather and climate conditions.

The inaugural marathon saw Arthur Jantjies from the Northern Cape win the race with a time of 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 13 seconds. Tsepo Ramashamole from Lesotho followed in second place, while Zimbabwean runner Moses Tarakinyu claimed the third position.