The Race
| Distance | 42.195 km |
| Course Type | Loop course, coastal and city centre sections |
| Start | Grand Parade, Cape Town CBD |
| Finish | Grand Parade, Cape Town CBD |
| Registration | Open entry |
| IAAF Label | Gold |
| Total Finishers | ~10,000 |
| Avg Race Day Temp | 14-20°C |
| Cutoff Time | 7 hours |
| Free Race Day Transport | None (Uber/taxi recommended) |
The Cape Town Marathon starts and finishes on the Grand Parade, the historic civic square in front of the Castle of Good Hope. The course runs through the city centre, along the Atlantic Seaboard (Sea Point), and through the regenerated Waterfront area, with Table Mountain's flat-topped profile visible for most of the route. The combination of coastal scenery, mountain backdrop, and the September spring conditions makes Cape Town one of the most scenic marathons in the world.
The course has moderate elevation - approximately 250 metres total gain - with the Sea Point Promenade providing the main flat coastal section. The September conditions (14-20°C at race time) are generally well-suited to fast running, though the South Easter wind can increase the effort on the Foreshore and De Waal Drive sections.
Entry
The Cape Town Marathon uses open entry. Registration opens several months before the September race on the official website (capetownmarathon.com). Entry fees are approximately ZAR 400-600 (approximately £17-26) depending on registration timing and residency status.
Enter now →Race Weekend
Friday: Arrive in Cape Town. Uber or taxi from the airport to the city centre: 30-40 minutes. Metrorail is not recommended. The V&A Waterfront area is the best evening option - the Zeitz MOCAA museum and the working harbour create an exceptional evening environment.
Saturday: Expo and number collection at the CTICC or a central venue. Spend the afternoon at the V&A Waterfront or on the Sea Point Promenade (the flat coastal path that forms part of the course). The cable car to Table Mountain summit is best done today, not race day eve.
Sunday (Race Day): Walk or Uber to the Grand Parade start. Post-race: Uber or taxi from the finish back to your hotel - Metrorail is unreliable.
Where to Stay
The V&A Waterfront and the CBD are the best marathon bases. Both are within 1 km of the Grand Parade start and finish, and the Waterfront has the best concentration of restaurants for pre and post-race eating. De Waterkant (between the CBD and the Waterfront) is a quieter boutique option.
Luxe hotel in the converted grain silo above the Zeitz MOCAA museum. The most photographed building in Cape Town. Spectacular.
Classic Cape Town waterfront hotel on its own private quay. Long-standing favourite for the Cape Town marathon weekend.
In the converted 1905 Standard Bank building on Wale Street. Walking distance from the start. The Mint restaurant is good.
Reliable mid-range in the Waterfront area. Good value for a premium location.
Cape Town's most established hostel, with private rooms. Good base, fair-trade café, airport transfers.
See & Do
**Table Mountain** (cable car ZAR 440/£18 return): the flat-topped mountain above the city, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. The summit plateau is flat and walkable (1 km across). The views over the Cape Peninsula, False Bay, and the Atlantic are 360-degree and comprehensive. Go two or three days before the race.
**Zeitz MOCAA** in the Waterfront (entry ZAR 200/£9): the Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in the converted grain silos of the V&A Waterfront, opened 2017. Thomas Heatherwick's conversion created 80 galleries in a building that had previously been the largest structure in sub-Saharan Africa. The collection focuses on African and African diaspora contemporary art.
**Robben Island** (ferry + tour, approximately ZAR 700/£30, from the V&A Waterfront): the island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of his 27 years in captivity. Tours include the ferry crossing and a bus tour of the island with a guide who is typically a former political prisoner. Allow 3-4 hours.
After the Race
The Cape Peninsula's post-race options require a car for the Hermanus and Winelands excursions. Kalk Bay is reachable by Uber. Note: Metrorail Cape Town is unreliable for tourist use; Uber is the recommended transport for all post-race excursions.
The most characterful fishing village on the False Bay coast. Snoek season peaks in September - the grilled snoek at the harbour is the correct lunch. Main Road antique shops, Kalk Bay Theatre, and the Cape Malay bakeries.
The early whale season begins in August; September has the first southern right whales in Walker Bay. The cliff path above the sea has the best land-based whale watching in the world. Car hire required; 90 minutes east of Cape Town on the N2.
Franschhoek (the Huguenot village with the Wine Tram, the food scene, and the passes), Stellenbosch (Dorp Street, the university, the Braak), and the winelands R45 road loop. Car hire required.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay near the start or the finish for the Cape Town Marathon?
The start and finish are both in the city centre near the Grand Parade. Stay in the CBD, V&A Waterfront, or De Waterkant - all within walking distance.
How far in advance should I book a hotel for the Cape Town Marathon?
Book three to four months in advance. September is shoulder season in Cape Town - more available and better priced than the December-February peak.
Is there free transport to the Cape Town Marathon start?
Most central hotels are walkable to the start. Metrorail is not recommended for reliability; use taxi or Uber from your hotel.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay in for the Cape Town Marathon?
The CBD, the V&A Waterfront, or De Waterkant. All within 1 km of the start and finish.
When does the Cape Town Marathon expo open?
The expo is typically at the CTICC, Friday and Saturday before race Sunday. Check the official website.
What is the weather like at the Cape Town Marathon?
September: 14-20°C. The South Easter wind can blow on the Foreshore sections. Spring conditions - good for running but variable.
How do I get from Cape Town International Airport to the city?
Taxi or Uber: 30-40 minutes, ZAR 250-350. MyCiTi bus Route 100: 40-50 minutes, ZAR 18. Metrorail not recommended.
Is there a bag drop at the Cape Town Marathon?
Yes, at the start/finish area. Check the race website for current procedures.
What is Table Mountain and can I climb it before the marathon?
The 1,086m flat-topped mountain above Cape Town. Cable car to the summit: ZAR 440/£18 return, 5 minutes. Go 2-3 days before the marathon, not the day before. Does not run in strong wind or cloud.
Is Cape Town safe for marathon tourists?
The CBD, V&A Waterfront, De Waterkant, and Atlantic Seaboard are normal tourist areas with standard precautions. Use Uber, not unmarked taxis. Do not display valuables.