Kapstadt Marathon 2026
At first glance, marathon running may seem like a solitary pursuit. Yet, much like the conservation of the remarkable ecosystem that forms the Cape Floral Kingdom, it is ultimately a team effort. From the race organisers and dedicated volunteers to the thousands of supporters lining the route, every contribution plays a part. The same was true for our Footsteps for Fynbos campaign: from the team who created the beautiful floral display and staffed the expo stand, to the incredible runners who took on the challenge itself. None of this would have been possible without the collective effort of the many people working towards a shared goal.
Grootbos Foundation is proud to be an official charity partner of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, one of only five local charities selected to partner with the marathon in 2026 and the only South African non profit with a conservation focus. Runners could choose to fundraise for a good cause in exchange for a charity entry.
We are incredibly grateful to the nine runners who chose to support both Grootbos Foundation and the conservation of the Cape Floral Region and its local communities. Together, they have done an incredible job, raising over R320 000 for Grootbos Foundation.
Meet our 2026 Cape Town Marathon runners and their stories:
Silvere, who has been living in Cape Town for the past few years, is deeply committed to conservation. This marathon was far from his first, as he has been participating in sporting events such as ultramarathons and Ironmans for years.
Melanie, on the other hand, only started running last October and signed up for Cape Town Marathon as her very first marathon. And as if one marathon in her first year of running was not enough, Melanie will also be running the Chicago Marathon later this year. Read more about Melanie’s inspiration and love for conservation on her website.
Silvere and his wife Marieke
Melanie (left) and Penelope
Andrea, a Johannesburg-based graphic designer, went all-in on fundraising for Grootbos Foundation through bake sales, markets and a dedicated social media campaign. Her journey towards running her first marathon in Cape Town is definitely unusual, as her first long distance race event was running an ultramarathon!
Sagar is a lawyer from New York. Cape Town Marathon was his fourth marathon. Running not only keeps him disciplined but also gives him a sense of purpose. Supporting young people and protecting unique ecosystems while training for and racing a marathon felt like a perfect fit for him.
Andrea (right) with Penelope (centre) and Natasha (left)
Sagar (left) with Maxene
Ritsubun joined us all the way from Japan. He has run all seven current Abbott Major marathons, and Cape Town Marathon was his eighth, provided it is officially recognised as a major marathon this June.
Elise chose to run her first marathon for Grootbos Foundation because of her trust in the organisation's work, having first heard about us through her husband, who previously worked for a Sports for Development network that Grootbos Foundation is partnered with.
Ristubun (right) with Danver
Elise (right) with Maxene
Similarly, Sharon wanted to run for a local non-profit organisation close to her heart, driven by her passion for fynbos. Her husband, Barak, brought a unique twist by completing the full race while juggling. ‘Joggeling’ runs in the family as Barak and his father, Jack, who is still running marathons at over 80 years old, both took part in the Cape Town Marathon whilst “Joggeling”!
And finally, Owen, a software engineer from Cape Town, who ran the London Marathon just four weeks before taking on the Cape Town Marathon.
Barak and Sharon with Danver (left)
Owen (left) with Mzi
While our runners were giving it their all on the course, we were excited to support them from the sidelines alongside hundreds of other supporters. Not that we needed any more reason to celebrate the amazing achievements of Andrea, Barak, Elise, Melanie, Owen, Ritsubun, Sagar, Sharon and Silvere, but the fact that Cape Town showed itself at its very best was the cherry on top, and perhaps even a good omen for the years to come.
Regardless, the sense of connection, community and shared purpose among local and international runners alike, together with the thousands of spectators, will have an impact long after the finish line, as will the funds our runners have raised.
Feeling inspired? Contact penelope@grootbosfoundation.org if you are interested in running for Grootbos Foundation in 2027. Until then, you can still be part of the journey by making a donation through our website. Every contribution makes a difference, helping us provide opportunities for children and young people in our community, no need to run 42.2 km first.
Make a direct donation to Grootbos Foundation here: https://grootbosfoundation.devman.co.za/DevMan/online/giving/
