‘Lydia Simiyu’

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, not only the event’s first-place title but 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.