Photo: © Sanlam Cape Town Marathon / Sam ClarkSanlam Cape Town Marathon
Cape Town, South AfricaChoose the distanceTap a distance: the course, fees, times and rules below update for that race.
At a glance
Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 2027 takes place on 22 May 2027 – 23 May 2027 in Cape Town, South Africa. Distances: 42.195 km, 22 km, 11 km, 10 km, 5 km. Start: Fritz Sonnenberg Road (Stadium) e Beach Road, Mouille Point.
- Date
- Saturday, 22 May 2027 – Sunday, 23 May 2027
- Location
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Start
- Fritz Sonnenberg Road (Stadium) e Beach Road, Mouille Point
- Distances
- Marathon · 42.195 km · Competitive
- Cape Town Trail 22 km · Competitive
- Cape Town Trail 11 km · Competitive
- 10 km Peace Run · Competitive
- 5 km Peace Run · Competitive
- Entry fees
- Cape Town Trail 22 km ZAR 1,330 · Cape Town Trail 11 km ZAR 585 · 10 km Peace Run ZAR 350 · 5 km Peace Run ZAR 225
- Registration
- Registration open · Register now ↗
- Organiser
- Cape Town Marathon (Pty) Ltd ↗
- Official website
- capetownmarathon.com ↗
- Series
- World Athletics Elite Label · World Marathon Majors · Boston qualifier · World Marathon Majors qualifier
Last updated: 19 October 2026
The race
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is Africa's leading marathon and from 2027 the eighth Abbott World Marathon Major, the first on the continent. Race weekend is 22-23 May 2027: the marathon is on Sunday 23 May, while Saturday has the 5 km and 10 km Peace Runs and the 11 km and 22 km trail runs.
The race starts in Green Point from two start areas: the stadium on Fritz Sonnenberg Road and Beach Road in Mouille Point. The course passes through the city centre and the southern suburbs as far as Newlands and Rondebosch, then returns along the Atlantic.
The time limit is 6 h 30; 2027 marathon places were allocated through a ballot that closed on 24 June 2026, but entries through official tour operators and charities remain available.
Course
Start and finish
There are two starts: the Stadium Start on Fritz Sonnenberg Road next to Cape Town Stadium and the Beach Road Start in Mouille Point. Waves alternate between them and merge at the corner of Fritz Sonnenberg Road and Beach Road. The finish is close to the start, in Green Point.
The course (2026 map)
- early kilometres towards the V&A Waterfront and the CBD
- Woodstock around km 9, then the southern suburbs past the Baxter Theatre and UCT (km 12-13)
- Newlands and Rondebosch Common towards km 20
- back through Woodstock (km 27-28) and the city centre past St George's Cathedral (km 30-31)
- a seaside finish via Sea Point (km 39) and the Mouille Point lighthouse
Hydration
There are 15 hydration stations, roughly every 3 km: 13 with water, Coke, Coke No Sugar and Powerade, and 2 with water only.
Entry fees
What's included
- Aid stations
- Chip timing
- Cronometraggio
- Finisher medal
- Medical assistance
Rules and requirements
2027 entries
Marathon places are allocated by ballot, which closed on 24 June 2026; since 26 June entries are open through official tour operators (ITOs) and charities. Peace Runs and trail runs are sold on Howler, with separate prices for South Africans, Africans and internationals (the 10 km, for example, costs R1,010 for international runners).
Minimum ages
- Marathon: 18
- 10 km Peace Run: 14; 5 km: 9
- 11 and 22 km trail: 18
On race day
- Mat-to-mat timing; the 6 h 30 limit starts when the last runner crosses the start mat
- Seeding batches (A to N) are based on best half and full marathon times
Transfers and refunds
2027 entries are non-transferable and cannot be deferred; running on someone else's bib leads to disqualification. A full refund applies only if the organiser cancels the event.
