The Nelson Mandela Marathon is taking Nelson Mandela’s legacy to the world with the launch of its Global Running Series, a new international running movement that will connect cities, runners and communities across continents through the values he stood for.
Officially unveiled at the Cape Town City Hall on Saturday, 17 October, the Nelson Mandela Global Running Series will connect running events in Cape Town, Nairobi, Paris, Berlin, The Hague and Atlanta, united by five shared values: Courage, Dignity, Equality, Unity and Freedom.
The announcement marked the beginning of a landmark weekend for the Nelson Mandela Marathon, with 26,600 runners taking to the streets of Cape Town for the inaugural event on Sunday, 18 October. The successful first edition provides a strong foundation for an international movement that aims to carry Mandela’s legacy beyond South Africa’s borders, bringing people together through the power of running.
The launch brought together representatives from the Western Cape Government, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Robben Island Museum, Golazo, and the Global Running Series ambassadors; Dr. Paul Tergat (Kenya), Hendrick Ramaala (South Africa), Catherine Ndereba (Kenya) and Prudence Sekgodiso (South Africa).
Cape Town will serve as the permanent finale of the Global Series, with the 42.2 km marathon distance staged exclusively in the city. The longer-term ambition is to grow the movement to 30 cities by 2030.
Bob Verbeeck, Founder and CEO, Golazo Group: “Our ambition is to create a global running movement where crossing the finish line stands for something bigger. Through the Nelson Mandela Global Running Series, featuring 21.1km, 10km and 5km races, runners and cities around the world can connect through values that remain relevant today, now more than ever.”
The Nelson Mandela Foundation will help ensure that the Global Running Series remains rooted in Mandela’s legacy, using participation in sport as a platform to carry his values into communities around the world.
Gaopalelwe Phalaetsile, Nelson Mandela Foundation, Head of Communications and Marketing: “Our vision is not simply to have millions of people running in Nelson Mandela’s name, but millions thinking about what his values demand of us today. Honouring his legacy requires more than remembrance. It requires us to act, to challenge injustice and to take responsibility for building a more just, equal and inclusive world. Through this Global Running Series, we hope to inspire people not only to run together, but to continue that work together.”
This commitment to putting Mandela’s values into practice also shaped the Values in Action Forum, held on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 October 2026, ahead of the launch. Convened by the University of Cape Town (UCT), the Series’ knowledge partner, and led by Professor David Maralack, Head of the School of Management Studies and Convener of its Sport Management Programme, the Forum brought together the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Golazo, Western Province Athletics, Itheko Sport Athletic Club, Robben Island Museum, and the International Platform on Sport and Development.
Discussions focused on the proposed framework of the Global Running Series Charter, which seeks to translate the five values into local expression in each host city. UCT will also help assess the Series’ impact worldwide.
In using running as the platform to express these values, Golazo engaged rising stars, track and road running legends, whose lives and character embody the values enshrined in the movement. Their lived experiences are testament that values are not abstract, but tangible.
Dr. Paul Tergat, Nelson Mandela Global Running Series Ambassador: “As Global Ambassadors, our responsibility extends beyond our achievements on the track and road. We are here to inspire participation, connect communities and encourage the next generation to embrace sport as a force for positive change.”
Each Global Running Series city will bring its own identity, culture and running community to the movement, united by a shared commitment to the values of Courage, Dignity, Equality, Unity and Freedom.
Born in South Africa and inspired by Nelson Mandela’s legacy, the Global Running Series will take these values to runners and communities around the world, creating a movement that is about more than where we run. It is about what we run for.
About Nelson Mandela Marathon
The Nelson Mandela Marathon is a Cape Town running event organised by Golazo in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation. It carries Nelson Mandela’s living legacy forward through the unifying power of sport, bringing runners and communities together around five core values: Courage, Dignity, Equality, Unity and Freedom. Featuring a 42.2 km marathon, a 21.1 km half marathon, a 10 km walk and run, and a 5 km fun walk and run, the event combines sporting achievement with a shared sense of purpose. A portion of the event’s profits is donated to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.