World Marathon Major · Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town Marathon
The Cape Town Marathon is Africa's entry to the World Marathon Majors, a rolling course between Table Mountain and the Atlantic. It joins the series in 2027, and entry is mainly by ballot, with two thirds of the field for runners from Africa.
- Where and when
- Cape Town, South Africa · May (check the official date)
- First run
- 1994
- Field size
- about 27,000
- Average finish
- not yet published
- How to get in
- Ballot and charity places; two thirds of the field is kept for runners from Africa
- Official site
- capetownmarathon.com
Dates, fees and rules change every year, so confirm on the official site before you plan.
About the Cape Town Marathon
Cape Town is known for its mountain-and-ocean setting, its warm crowds and its coastal scenery along the Atlantic seaboard. It uses two start areas and a five-wave system to handle its growth.
Watch the Cape Town Marathon run again
This is what a RaceTale story does with a race day: it replays the whole course with your time, the route and every photo and cheer your family and friends added from any phone, in one private link.
How do you get a place in the Cape Town Marathon?
A ballot and charity places. About two thirds of the field is reserved for African residents, and there is no published time-qualifier route yet.
- When entry opens: The general ballot usually opens in mid-June for the following race.
- Cost: About 850 ZAR for domestic runners and $120 USD for international entries.
What is the Cape Town Marathon course like, and what is the cut-off?
A rolling coastal loop with views of Table Mountain, the Atlantic seaboard and landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope, finishing at the stadium precinct in Green Point.
Cut-off: Six hours 30 minutes in total, with ten intermediate cut-off points that manage the reopening of city traffic.
Where should spectators watch the Cape Town Marathon?
- Sea Point Promenade, miles 23 to 25A coastal stretch with an ocean breeze and locals having picnics and braais.
Getting there: MyCiTi buses, routes 104 or 105, to Beach Road. Rail is limited. - Green Point Main Road, mile 26The last stretch to the stadium precinct, where the party is loudest.
Getting there: MyCiTi route 101 to the Green Point stops next to the stadium.
Work out when your runner reaches each spot with the spectator timing planner, set to this race's usual start time. Tracking and signal can fail in a crowd, so agree a meeting place and a time before race day. See how to get around a marathon as a spectator.
What are the weather, start times and tracking like?
- Weather: Cool and mild, about 10 to 18°C (50 to 64°F), with ocean crosswinds along the Atlantic seaboard.
- Start times: Elite field 6:10, then the mass field from 6:40 to 7:00 am, from two start areas in five waves.
- Tracking: Live tracking over ten timing checkpoints, with notifications as runners pass landmarks.
Is the Cape Town Marathon a good first marathon?
Very good, a little hilly (ranked 4 of 8 for a first-timer). Warm crowds and mountain-and-ocean views, though the course rolls and the cut-off has several timing gates. See the full ranking of the eight majors.
Frequently asked questions
When does Cape Town join the Majors?
In 2027, as the eighth World Marathon Major and the first in Africa.
How do I get a place?
Through the ballot, which usually opens in mid-June, or a charity place. About two thirds of the field is reserved for runners from Africa.
What is the time limit?
Six hours 30 minutes, with ten intermediate cut-off points on the course.
Why are there two start areas?
To handle the larger field, runners start from the stadium area or Beach Road in five waves. Check your seeding block before race morning.
Is it a good first marathon?
The crowds and scenery are lovely, but the course rolls, and you need a steady pace to meet the checkpoints.
Plan your race day
- Spectator timing planner: when your runner passes each spot, even from another time zone
- Pace chart: split times for your goal time
- Race time predictor: an estimate from a recent result
- Where to stand to watch a marathon
- How to get around a marathon as a spectator
- How to track a runner on race day