A Cape Town city marathon connecting the waterfront side with Rondebosch, Woodstock and the central city before returning towards the finish district. The long change of scenery needs a steady effort.
01 Know what you are taking on
What is the race like?
The course, section by section
Open a section for the terrain and a practical pacing cue.
The Green Point startFritz Sonnenberg Road · Beach Road · Mouille Point
Two separate start areas rather than one interchangeable line.
How to approach it Arrive at the area shown on your seeding information and keep the opening calm. Following the largest crowd is not a reliable way to reach your start, and a rushed arrival can influence the effort of the first hour.
The southern suburbsRondebosch Park · Rondebosch Common
Urban roads around the broader city loop.
How to approach it Use the park and common as mental reset points, not prompts to accelerate with every cheering zone. Stay with food and breathing checks while the marathon still feels manageable and there is time to make a calm adjustment.
The city returnSalt River · Woodstock · Castle of Good Hope · City Hall
City roads and changes in direction.
How to approach it Keep a stable line through the returning streets. If the course looks closer to the finish, remind yourself that the late seaside section remains; conserve enough effort to run the whole marked route rather than emotionally finishing early.
The Gardens and Long StreetCompany Gardens · Long Street
A notable late climb followed by downhill running.
How to approach it Allow uphill pace to slow and avoid instantly sprinting down Long Street. First regain posture and breathing, then let pace increase only as your legs can control. A descent is not an invitation to overstride on tired quadriceps.
The Sea Point loopSea Point Promenade · Beach Road · Vlei Road
A late out-and-back by the ocean before the finish.
How to approach it Prepare mentally to run away from the finish before turning back. Use the next manageable task and keep effort steady in wind; the familiar finish precinct is not permission to stop following the course or rush the final section.
Official maps & course details
- Assigned start
- The 2027 FAQ names Stadium/Fritz Sonnenberg Road and Beach Road, Mouille Point starts. Your seeding indicates which one to use.
- Finish
- The FAQ places the finish for all events on Vlei Road.
The following course details are from the edition shown. They help you understand the route while your edition’s final information is being prepared.
- Map edition
- The marathon page still includes an image labeled 2024 Cape Town Marathon Route Map.2024
The organiser has published course information, but the final route for your race edition is still to follow. Check the map label before using it.
02 Choose your approach
Find your race strategy.
Choose your goal. These are our pacing suggestions, based on the published course, rather than organiser instructions.
My first finish
Start comfortably and let the field settle.
Use Rondebosch, Woodstock and the central city as stages.
Keep enough for the remaining return towards the finish district.
A PB or time goal
Build your target from recent running and the final course profile.
Avoid a surge whenever the scenery or crowd changes.
Reassess late, allowing the wind and conditions to change the pace you can sustain.
If the weather or your pace changes
Use the actual forecast and organiser alerts rather than assuming a pleasant May morning. Wind can alter the cost of the coastal return, especially when you are tired. Keep effort stable and accept slower exposed splits instead of defending a time at any price. Wet city turns or downhills require controlled steps and familiar footwear. Pack start and finish layers around confirmed baggage arrangements. Do not copy previous-year transport or cutoff clock times just because the route looks similar; operational decisions can change with conditions and a new edition.
03 Know what is on the course
Drinks, fuel & toilets.
2027 station information
- Hydration stations
- Fifteen stations approximately 3 km apart: thirteen with a combination of water, Coke, Coke No Sugar and Powerade, and two serving water only.
Toilet locations: a confirmed location list is not available here. Check the official course or runner map before race day; a drinks table does not automatically mean there is a toilet beside it.
Turn the station list into your plan
Mark the stops you expect to use and the fuel you will carry. If you use a gel that needs water, pair it with a published water point. Practise the products and cup or bottle format before race day; you do not have to try every item offered.
04 Before the start
Your race morning.
Times are local to the event. Work back from your own wave, allowing for the walk, toilets and bag drop.
The start
Start time
The organiser says 2027 start times will be communicated closer to race day.
Kit rules & accessibility
- Age
- The FAQ lists 18 as the marathon minimum for South African runners under ASA rules.
- Headphones and packs
- The FAQ prohibits earphones/headphones of every description and permits hydration packs.
- Club licence
- The organiser describes no temporary or permanent athletics licence is required.
Your allocated wave, event emails and final runner instructions take priority. Read the guide for your distance before travelling.
05 Make the day work together
Supporters & getting around.
Plan your support
Choose a permitted central or waterfront viewing base from the final spectator map. Road closures make a driving chase unreliable; agree a named reunion beyond the runner exit.
The places below are viewing ideas from the linked route or spectator guide. Use your edition’s access map for barriers, permitted crossings and any crew restrictions.
City-centre course section
Use the final map to choose a public pavement rather than assuming either Green Point start is open to spectators.
Sea Point coastal section
A later-race idea from the reference course. Check the new edition’s road closures and finish access.
2027
Official spectator or route informationMake the cheer easy to find
Agree a named point, the side of the road and your likely arrival window. Share your bib number for official tracking. Pick a separate reunion beyond the finish exit and a backup if the phone signal is poor.
06 Before you book
Entry, fees & time limits.
The general ballot is closed. South African local charity places are sold out. International charity and official travel programmes have separate availability and fundraising conditions.
Check official entry options- Ballot outcome
- Ballot outcomes were scheduled for 26 June, with payment attempts on 26/30 June and 3 July.
- Charity and travel
- South African local charity places are sold out. International runners should check the separate official charity and travel programmes.
Stay in the loop
Email me event updates.
Spend more time training and less time checking. Get the key updates for your race, straight to your inbox.
07 Make your training relevant
Practise for this course.
One thing to rehearse
Rehearse your preferred fuel with the drinks you intend to use. The organiser lists mixed-product hydration stations as well as water-only stations.
08 Put your plan together
Useful before race day.
Plan your pre-run fuel
Explore meals and snacks around the time you have before running.
Explore the fuel plannerMake race fuel feel familiar
Understand how to practise taking carbohydrate during longer runs.
Read the guideArrive ready, not worn out
Understand what changes in the final weeks before a marathon.
Read the guideA plan that fits your life.
Running, strength or both, with feedback and adjustments as your training develops.
Official race information
Use the organiser’s information for current entry terms, the published route and your final runner instructions. Course resources show their edition where it is known. Pacing and training suggestions are The Runner’s Journal’s guidance and should fit your experience, health and conditions.