Cape Town Marathon
How to get in, and where to stay
Cape Town Marathon is run in Cape Town in May or October. Entry is by public ballot. There are 4 realistic ways in, 3 of which do not involve paying an operator. It is a realistic personal-best course.
Cape Town is the newest addition to the Abbott World Marathon Majors and the first on the African continent. It is a flat, fast course run under Table Mountain, and because it is the newest Major it is currently the most attainable of the ballot races. That will not last.
How to get into the Cape Town Marathon
The catch nobody tells you
Cape Town is the window of opportunity in the series right now. It is the newest Major, demand has not yet caught up with its status, and entry is more attainable than the other six. Anyone chasing stars should prioritise it before the field catches on.
The ballot
Entry arrangements are changing as the race takes up Major status. Check the official site for the current window rather than relying on previous years.
General entry or ballot
Open to allEntry has historically been more open than the established Majors. Major status is changing that, so check the current process.
Qualifying time
QualificationSeeded and guaranteed entry routes exist for runners with a recent verified marathon time.
Charity place
FundraisingCharity partners hold places in exchange for a fundraising commitment.
Tour operator package
PaidTour operators hold a small allocation of guaranteed entries that are sold with accommodation as a package. It is the only route that does not depend on luck or a qualifying time, and it is why most rejected ballot applicants end up here.
What you are actually running
A flat, fast city course run beneath Table Mountain, taking in the waterfront and the centre with the mountain in view for much of the route.
Personal best potential
Yes. Cape Town is flat and run in cool conditions, and it is certified as a fast course, so it is a realistic personal-best target.
Route at a glance
- Start
- Green Point, near the city centre
- Finish
- Green Point
- Terrain
- Flat and fast, one of the quicker courses in the series.
On the way
- Table Mountain
- V and A Waterfront
- Green Point
- City centre
- Atlantic seaboard
Weather and atmosphere
Race day weather
Cool and changeable, which suits marathon running. Wind is the variable that matters most in Cape Town.
Crowds and support
Growing quickly with Major status, concentrated in the city centre and around the waterfront.
Where to stay
Book a hotel near the Cape Town Marathon start
On race morning the only thing that matters is how far you are from the start. These are the areas that make the morning simple, with live rates on your dates.
Green Point
At start and finish
At the start and finish, so race morning is a walk and so is the recovery afterwards.
V and A Waterfront
Short walk
Short walk to the start, the best base for a non-running partner and for the rest of the trip.
City Bowl
Short ride
Better value under the mountain with an easy transfer to the start.
Getting there
Cape Town International is around twenty minutes from the city centre. The start and finish are both in Green Point, close to the waterfront hotels.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cape Town a World Marathon Major?
Yes. Cape Town is the newest Abbott World Marathon Major and the first on the African continent.
Is the Cape Town Marathon easy to get into?
It is currently the most attainable of the Majors because demand has not yet caught up with its new status. That is unlikely to last, so it is the one to prioritise if you are collecting stars.
Is the Cape Town Marathon flat?
Yes. It is a flat, fast, certified course run beneath Table Mountain in cool conditions, which makes it a realistic personal-best target.
Where should I stay for the Cape Town Marathon?
Green Point puts you at both the start and the finish. The V and A Waterfront is a short walk away and works better if you have a partner along.
Other World Marathon Majors
Ballot windows and entry rules change every year. Always confirm the current details with the official race before booking travel.