Sanlam Cape Town Marathon guide

Sun, May 23, 2027 · Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa · Start 6:00 AM

What to know when planning this race

Start, finish & getting there
Start and finish are both in Green Point, near DHL Cape Town Stadium.
Convenient areas to stay
Green Point, Sea Point and the V&A Waterfront are closest to the start.
Confirmed vs. carried over
The race date and start time were checked against official race information on Oct 15, 2026. The expo venue and hours follow prior years.
Plan around before race morning
  • The race moves to May and joins the World Marathon Majors in 2027; expect bigger crowds and new rules.
  • MyCiTi runs extra early buses; park-and-ride details are published before race week.
  • The expo venue is listed on the official site; check it before booking.

Sources for Sanlam Cape Town Marathon:

Race overview

Organizer
Cape Town Marathon NPC
Date
Sun, May 23, 2027
Distance
Marathon
Start time
6:00 AM
Start location
Green Point, near DHL Cape Town Stadium
Finish location
Green Point, near DHL Cape Town Stadium
Official race website

Last verified Oct 15, 2026. Source

Course

Cumulative elevation, mile by mile. Amber bars are the significant climbs.

Significant climbs

  • Mile 4–5 · +31 ft
  • Mile 5–6 · +31 ft
  • Mile 6–7 · +31 ft

Significant descents

  • Mile 4–5 · −31 ft
  • Mile 5–6 · −31 ft
  • Mile 6–7 · −31 ft
Mile-by-mile course notes
  • Mile 0–1 +10 / −10 ft · Course totals ≈ 460 ft gain / 460 ft loss (approximate, from published course data).
  • Mile 1–2 +10 / −10 ft
  • Mile 2–3 +10 / −10 ft
  • Mile 3–4 +10 / −10 ft
  • Mile 4–5 +31 / −31 ft · Gradual climb toward Rondebosch and Newlands.
  • Mile 5–6 +31 / −31 ft
  • Mile 6–7 +31 / −31 ft
  • Mile 7–8 +10 / −10 ft
  • Mile 8–9 +10 / −10 ft
  • Mile 9–10 +31 / −31 ft · Rolling section past the southern suburbs.
  • Mile 10–11 +31 / −31 ft
  • Mile 11–12 +10 / −10 ft
  • Mile 12–13 +10 / −10 ft
  • Mile 13–14 +31 / −31 ft · Return climb along Main Road.
  • Mile 14–15 +31 / −31 ft
  • Mile 15–16 +10 / −10 ft
  • Mile 16–17 +10 / −10 ft
  • Mile 17–18 +10 / −10 ft
  • Mile 18–19 +10 / −10 ft
  • Mile 19–20 +10 / −10 ft
  • Mile 20–21 +31 / −31 ft · Exposed, sometimes windy stretch along the Sea Point/Beach Road side.
  • Mile 21–22 +31 / −31 ft
  • Mile 22–23 +10 / −10 ft
  • Mile 23–24 +10 / −10 ft
  • Mile 24–25 +10 / −10 ft
  • Mile 25–26 +10 / −10 ft
  • Mile 26–26.2 +2 / −2 ft

Aid stations

  • Mile 3.1

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 5

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 6.2

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 8.1

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 9.3

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 11.2

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 12.4

    GEL

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 14.3

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 15.5

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 17.4

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 18.6

    GEL

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 20.5

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 21.7

    GEL

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 23.6

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 24.9

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

Rules & important information

Race rules
Bib must be visible on the front. Collect your bib in person with photo ID. ASA licence or temporary licence rules apply for South African runners. No unofficial pacers or bicycles on course.
Cutoff times
Marathon cutoff is 7 hours from the start.
Transportation
MyCiTi buses run extra early-morning services to Green Point; park-and-ride options are published before race week. Roads around Green Point and the Atlantic seaboard close early.
Other notes
Joining the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2027. Race weekend moved to May starting in 2026. Course segment, aid station, expo and hotel details are compiled from published race information and prior years and are not yet officially verified — confirm with the organizer.

Last verified Oct 15, 2026. Source

Race week & expo

  • Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Expo (venue on official site)

    Cape Town

    Thu, May 20, 202710:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Fri, May 21, 202710:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Sat, May 22, 20279:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Packet pickup
    Bib, timing chip and event shirt are collected together at the expo. Bring your registration confirmation.
    ID requirements
    Government-issued photo ID required. Hours and venue are based on prior years — confirm on the official site.
    Parking
    Limited paid parking; public transport recommended.
    Transit
    Use public transport where possible; see the official site for directions.

    Verification date unavailable. Source

Ready 2 Race recommendation: visit the expo on the first day it opens if your travel allows — final-afternoon queues are the longest. This is guidance, not an official requirement.

Athlete tracking & results

Open tracking & results

Tracking and results come from the race organizer.

Hotels near the start, Airbnb and travel planning are available when you create your account.

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