YOUR RACE WEEK GUIDE TO THE 2026 CAPE TOWN MARATHON
When more than 27 000 athletes set off at the 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon later this month, they could be in line for an Abbott World Marathon Majors finisher’s medal.
The Cape Town Marathon must clear just one more hurdle to join the prestigious Marathon Majors.
The race needs to pass this year’s evaluation to join Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York, Tokyo, Sydney, as part of the elite eight global marathons.
AbbottWMM has already confirmed that all finishers of the 2026 race will be awarded a provisional star, to be fully recognised if Cape Town achieves its second evaluation pass.
Following the disappointment of the October cancellation, organisers have spent the past six months preparing an event with operational excellence and a participant experience aligned with Marathon Majors standards.
The result is a full-on weekend festival of running.
From trail runners on the mountain, to families taking part in the peace runs, and one of the strongest elite fields ever assembled on African soil: here’s what to expect for the full Cape Town Marathon week.
Global icons to everyday athletes
The 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has attracted serious firepower, with this year’s elite field being billed as the deepest ever seen on African soil.
The men’s field includes 14 athletes with personal bests under 2:08, three of whom have gone under 2:05. The women’s field features nine athletes under 2:22, including five who have dipped below 2:20.
Two-time Olympic gold medallist and 11-time World Marathon Majors winner Eliud Kipchoge will headline the race as part of his global marathon tour — marking his first marathon appearance on African soil.
He will be joined by a stacked elite field including Stephen Kiprop, Maru Teferi, Benard Biwott, Yihunilign Adane, Mulugeta Asefa Uma, three-time Cape Town Marathon champion Stephen Mokoka, and South African record-holder Elroy Gelant.
In the women’s race, two-time Olympian and 2020 Tokyo Marathon champion Lonah Salpeter leads a world-class line-up featuring Ruti Aga, Dera Dida, Mestawat Fikir, Edna Kiplagat, Desi Jisa Mokonin, Waganesh Mekasha, Vibian Chepkirui, Shuko Genemo and Mercy Kwambai.
Swiss legend Manuela Schär, a multiple Paralympic gold medalist and dominant force across the Marathon Majors, headlines the women’s wheelchair race.
She is joined by British icon David Weir, a six-time Paralympic gold medalist and eight-time London Marathon champion who will lead the men’s wheel chair race.
Alongside the elites, thousands of club runners, social runners, charity entrants and first-timers will share the same 42.2km journey through the city.
Cape Town on the world stage
They will be taking on course that shines the spotlight Cape Town’s rich history and natural beauty, offering a global audience a front-row seat to one of the most scenic urban marathons in the world.
Setting off outside the iconic DHL Stadium, the 42.2km route guides runners on a journey through the city’s cultural and historic heart.
The course stretches to Newlands via Nelson Mandela Boulevard, passing through Woodstock, Salt River and Mowbray, before looping back toward the city centre and Atlantic Seaboard, finishing on Vlei Road in Green Point.
Along the way, athletes will pass some of the Mother City’s most recognisable landmarks, including Rondebosch Common, District Six, the Castle of Good Hope and Cape Town City Hall – each adding to the narrative of a race that is as much about place as it is about performance.
A full weekend festival of running
Before marathon day, the weekend begins with trail races and peace runs on Saturday, 23 May.
In partnership with Ryan Sandes, the Cape Town Trail Marathon takes runners through Table Mountain National Park with technical terrain, steep climbs and panoramic views of the city bowl and the coastline.
Trail race distances
46km Trail Marathon (King Protea)
22km Trail (Stately Protea)
11km Trail (Pincushion Protea)
On the same morning, around 15 000 runners are also expected to take part in the 5km and 10km peace runs through Green Point, Granger Bay, Mouille Point and Sea Point.
The vibe: Cape Town gees on full display
If there’s one guarantee, it’s that Cape Town shows up and this year will be no different.
Every year, the route transforms into a moving festival of music, entertainment, cheering crowds and activation zones stretching from Green Point to Rondebosch.
The 29.9km mark outside City Hall will once again become a high-energy spectator hub featuring a DJ, dancers, minstrel performers and
The City of Cape Town’s staff will also be out in numbers to ensure the athletes hydrated.
Residents, families, friends and running clubs are encouraged to line the route and support the athletes throughout the day.
Best spectator points
Start: Beach Road, Green Point
6.5km: N2 off-ramp near Searle Street, Woodstock
15.3km: Palmyra Junction, Claremont
17.2km: Campground Road, Rondebosch
20km–22km: Rondebosch Common
26.7km: Salt River Circle
27km–29km: Albert Road and Newmarket Street, Salt River
30.7km–32.1km: Government Avenue, Orange Street and Long Street
34km: Green Point Main Road
36.3km: Sea Point Promenade
40km: Beach Road, Sea Point
Finish: Vlei Road, Green Point
Transport and parking
Runners and spectators heading to the Green Point precinct should expect very limited parking around the start and finish areas.
Transport options include park-and-ride facilities, MyCiTi shuttle services, a special train service and bicycle parking facilities.
Saturday, 23 May
Shuttle services will operate between:
V&A Waterfront
CTICC
Civic Centre
Thibault Square
Operating hours: 05:30 – 17:30
Sunday, 24 May
A park-and-ride system will operate from Century City and UCT.
Key times:
First buses: 05:30
Last bus to start: 06:30
First return bus: 11:00
Last return bus: 17:30
Free MyCiTi shuttles will also run from Civic Centre, Thibault Square and CTICC stations to the start line between 05:30 and 06:45.
Parking at Civic Centre will open from 05:00 to 18:00 and will operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Road closures and traffic impact
To meet international marathon standards, the route will be fully car-free on race day.
This means several roads along the route will be closed with no-parking from Friday, 23 May to Sunday, 24 May
Restricted vehicle access in several areas along the route including:
Beach Road, Green Point and Sea Point
Portswood Road
Searle Street
Victoria Road/Main Road
Observatory Main Road
Albert Road
Darling Street
Long Street
Riebeek Street
Somerset Road and Green Point Main Road
A full list of road closures and no-parking zones is available here.
Image credits:
Diwan Krige
Mark Sampson
Kay Abrahams
