Cape Town barista runs the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon for charity

A barista from Diep River, Pacific Mbela, will participate in the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon to raise funds for Rainbow of Hope, a home for vulnerable children in Goodwood.

The marathon will take place on Saturday, October 18, and Sunday, October 19, featuring a full marathon and other events like 10km and 5km races. 

The event sold out in July, with 24 000 entries for the marathon in 2025, marking the third consecutive year the event has sold out.

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has officially been confirmed as an Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) candidate race - the first marathon in Africa to be nominated.

To become a Major, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon will be required to meet certain criteria for three years, and if successful, will join an elite group of races such as the Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon, Virgin Money London Marathon, among others, as a new member of the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2025.

“We have always believed that the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon could be Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Major, so becoming a candidate race is a tremendous honour”, said Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Chairman, Francois Pienaar, at the announcement event at Cape Town Stadium.

In 2017, Mr Mbela was diagnosed with a brain tumour called Meningioma, which led to him being paralysed on his left side.

He said he made a promise to God that if he was restored to good health, he would give back to the community. 

“Running has been part of my life since my surgery. I found my way of giving back to the community through running. If I run, it's a time of sacrifice — you need to get up early in the morning. It takes you three months to train for a marathon.

“The reason I chose the Rainbow of Hope is because I am an orphan. I lost my parents when I was very young. I know what it means when you don't have your biological parents. Most of those kids at Rainbow of Hope are like that, and to give them the support they need can make a difference. As I spoke with them, the connection was there and I was moved so quickly,” he said.

The director of the Rainbow of Hope, Alison Alexander, expressed gratitude to Mr Mbela and said they currently have 12 children in their care.

“I am so thrilled that he chose us as his beneficiary for this marathon! He has overcome so much, but his unwavering faith is what carries him through,” she said. 

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