Sanlam Kenya sponsors elite athletes for Cape Town Marathon

Sanlam Kenya Plc has sponsored a team of elite athletes to participate in the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, Africa’s first Abbott Marathon, which takes place on 18^th and 19^th October 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Sanlam Kenya Group CEO Dr Nyamemba Tumbo flagged off the Kenyan athletes at their offices in Nairobi in a ceremony presided over by Dr Paul Tergat, the founder of SOYA Awards.

Speaking during the event, Dr Tumbo said the firm will collaborate with local sports development stakeholders in the delivery of tailor-made financial literacy training modules. 

“At Sanlam Kenya, we are partnering with our sportspersons in more ways than one. Beyond our corporate sponsorships, we are also exploring the modalities of delivering tailor-made financial literacy lessons for the athletes,” Dr Tumbo said. He added, “By delivering such financial literacy lessons, we shall be actively working to empower them to be financially confident, secure and prosperous now and in their post-active competition and retirement days.”  

The team features some of Kenya’s most promising long-distance runners, including Lilian Jepkorir Chebii, Vincent Kipyegon Ronoh, Josephat Kipkoech, Edwin Kiptoo, Fridah Chepkite Lodepa, Flomena Chepkiach Ngurasia, Godfrey Musanga and Japhet Kiptoo Kiplagat, all accomplished athletes with impressive international records and strong podium potential.

Sanlam has fully sponsored the athletes towards the marathon, covering athlete sponsorships, event logistics and promotional activities designed to elevate Africa’s visibility on the global athletics ecosystem.

SOYA Awards Founder Dr Paul Tergat welcomed the sponsorship, noting this was an opportunity for the athletes to gain the necessary exposure to advance their talents.

“Without exposure, athletes train but waste a lot of time locally, having someone to hold your hand, and give you the opportunity to go and compete outside the country, that is a huge advantage to each active athlete,” Dr Tergat said.

One of the athletes, heading to the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Japhet Kiplangat, said he was prepared for the race and looking forward to clinching victory.

“I have been in training, and when I heard I was getting this opportunity, I was well prepared for it,” he said.

This year, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is now part of the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors series, bringing the world’s top marathon brand to Africa for the very first time. 

The Abbott World Marathon Majors, which include iconic races previously held in Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, Tokyo and New York, is the ultimate stage for long-distance runners. With Cape Town now joining this elite group as the first African host city, the continent takes its rightful place among the world’s leading marathon destinations.  

The winning athletes stand a chance to win USD 40,000 prize money, which is part of Sanlam’s broader ambition to create transformative opportunities across sectors and support initiatives that showcase Africa’s excellence to the world.