Pakistan, June 12 -- Cape Town has been added to the prestigious World Marathon Majors, the elite series said on Wednesday, making it the first African race in the circuit.

It joins London, New York, Boston, Chicago, Berlin, Sydney and Tokyo among the most iconic races in global distance running. "The unique culture, the welcome from the people of the city and the wonderful setting Cape Town provides will bring a whole new dimension to our series," Dawna Stone, chief executive of Abbott World Marathon Majors, which oversees the circuit, said.

"I know runners in Africa and across the world will have a phenomenal experience at this race." This year's edition of the marathon in May featured double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge, 41, in hi...