On the morning of June 11, 2026, the Abbott World Marathon Majors officially announced that the Cape Town Marathon in South Africa has been added to the World Marathon Majors series. This means the 2027 Cape Town Marathon will be the first World Marathon Majors race in Africa and will be the eighth such event following the Sydney Marathon. The 2027 Cape Town Marathon will take place on May 23, 2027.

One remaining major question this year for the World Marathon Majors is the Shanghai Marathon on December 6. If all goes well and the Shanghai Marathon, as a candidate event, passes the second-round comprehensive evaluation, the nine-race Majors lineup will be established.

Perhaps as early as next year, the nine-star medal seems increasingly within runners' reach.