Image

Lydia Simiyu hopes to become an African Champion

Rob |  Jun. 15, 2022

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 2021 marked elite Kenyan-runner Lydia Simiyu’s debut marathon race. Only 25 years old, Lydia shares how chasing a childhood dream, despite all adversities, carried her across the finish line to claim the event’s first-place title and set the marathon’s course record.

Sharing her underdog story, Lydia Simiyu hopes to become an African Champion and is gearing up for her race toward a brighter future.

Celebrating the African continent and famous marathon champions like Lydia Simiyu, The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is excited to “show the world how Africa runs a marathon.” Having entered the world’s stage as an Abbott World Marathon Majors Candidate, The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is on route to becoming Africa’s first major.

This short documentary captures the resilience, determination, dedication, and courage of Lydia Simiyu; and speaks for the whole African spirit, which the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon proudly represents.

‘The Story of an Underdog,’ for Sanlam Cape Town Marathon by Faces Africa. Filmed and edited by Tao Farren, with Jess Meniere as producer and Tracy Farren as script supervisor. With special thanks to Volare Sports.

June 15, 2022 - Recent

Featured image for “SANLAM CAPE TOWN MARATHON TO HOST 2026 ABBOTTWMM MTT AGE GROUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS”
May. 08, 2025

SANLAM CAPE TOWN MARATHON TO HOST 2026 ABBOTTWMM MTT AGE GROUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Featured image for “Your Major: A Collective Victory in the Making”
May. 05, 2025

Your Major: A Collective Victory in the Making

Featured image for “What’s Your Story? Enter the #NotJustAMedal Competition!”
Apr. 04, 2025

What’s Your Story? Enter the #NotJustAMedal Competition!

Featured image for “#NotJustAMedal: Jaide Jacobs’ Journey of Slow and Steady”
Apr. 03, 2025

#NotJustAMedal: Jaide Jacobs’ Journey of Slow and Steady

Featured image for “#NotJustAMedal: Shawn-Lee’s Journey to the Start Line and Beyond”
Mar. 26, 2025

#NotJustAMedal: Shawn-Lee’s Journey to the Start Line and Beyond

Featured image for “#NotJustAMedal: From Rural Roads to City Streets”
Mar. 18, 2025

#NotJustAMedal: From Rural Roads to City Streets

Featured image for “Why May 2026? The Thinking Behind the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Date Change”
Mar. 03, 2025

Why May 2026? The Thinking Behind the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Date Change

Featured image for “The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Introduces Candidacy Club for Loyal Runners”
Feb. 27, 2025

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Introduces Candidacy Club for Loyal Runners

Featured image for “The Road to Africa’s First Major: Our Journey Continues”
Feb. 03, 2025

The Road to Africa’s First Major: Our Journey Continues

Featured image for “Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Announces Departure of Race Director Barry Van Blerk”
Dec. 03, 2024

Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Announces Departure of Race Director Barry Van Blerk

Featured image for “Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Passes Stage 1 in Abbott World Marathon Majors Candidacy”
Nov. 21, 2024

Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Passes Stage 1 in Abbott World Marathon Majors Candidacy

Featured image for “Watanabe and Wheeler Win the Wheelchair Invitational at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon”
Oct. 20, 2024

Watanabe and Wheeler Win the Wheelchair Invitational at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon

Featured image for “Glenrose Xaba Shatters South African and Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Records on Debut”
Oct. 20, 2024

Glenrose Xaba Shatters South African and Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Records on Debut

Featured image for “Trail Runners Revel in Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Crowds”
Oct. 19, 2024

Trail Runners Revel in Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Crowds

Featured image for “Hendricks and Kavanagh Power to Peace Run Victories at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon”
Oct. 19, 2024

Hendricks and Kavanagh Power to Peace Run Victories at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon

Featured image for “African Excitement Builds as 2024 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Nears”
Oct. 18, 2024

African Excitement Builds as 2024 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Nears

Featured image for “The Runners Who Have Never Missed a Race”
Sep. 27, 2024

The Runners Who Have Never Missed a Race

Featured image for “Meet your 2024 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Bus Drivers!”
Sep. 25, 2024

Meet your 2024 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Bus Drivers!

Featured image for “Your Spectator’s Guide for the 2024 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon”
Sep. 21, 2024

Your Spectator’s Guide for the 2024 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon

Featured image for “Behind the Scenes: The Unsung Heroes of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon”
Sep. 18, 2024

Behind the Scenes: The Unsung Heroes of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon

2023

Media