Ethiopia Dominates Cape Town Marathon as Mohamed Esa Sets Historic Course Record

Addis Ababa, May 25, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopian athletes delivered a commanding performance at the Cape Town Marathon in South Africa on Sunday, with Mohamed Esa winning the men’s race in a historic course-record time of 2:04:55.

Esa’s victory marked the fastest marathon ever run on African soil. The Ethiopian runner finished ahead of compatriot Yihunilign Adane, who clocked 2:04:59, while Kenya’s Kalipus Lomwai came third in 2:05:06.

The race also featured Kenyan marathon legend , who finished 16th.

Speaking after the race, Esa expressed delight over the achievement and said competing in Africa made the victory even more special.

“I am very happy to run in Africa. The course is very nice and the support was very good,” he said, describing Kipchoge as his role model.

Ethiopia also dominated the women’s race, with Dera Dida Yami securing victory in 2:23:18. Fellow Ethiopians Mestawut Fikir and Waganesh Mekasha completed an all-Ethiopian podium by finishing second and third respectively.

Organizers say the event is expected to play a decisive role in Cape Town’s bid to join the prestigious World Marathon Majors in 2027 alongside races in London, New York, Boston, Chicago, Berlin, Sydney and Tokyo.

Meanwhile, Ethiopian athletes also produced impressive results at the Shanghai/Keqiao Diamond League in China over the weekend.

Birke Haylom clinched victory in the women’s 1500 meters with a world-leading and meeting-record performance, further cementing Ethiopia’s growing strength in middle-distance events.

In the men’s 5000 meters, Ethiopia’s Yihune Addisu secured first place with a world-leading time of 12:57.32, adding another major international triumph for Ethiopian athletics this weekend.