When is the next Cape Town Marathon?

Sunday, May 23, 2027. Confirm on the official site before you book travel.

How do you get into the Cape Town Marathon?

There are 7 ways in: general ballot; candidacy club (priority entry); sanlam sponsored entry (2025 entrants only); run for charity (international runners); run for charity (south african residents); international tour operators (travel program); abbott wmm race draw. Entry for 2027 opened on 10 June 2026, the day Major status was announced: the ballot ran 10-24 June, Candidacy Club 10-18 June, and charity and tour-operator places opened on 26 June 2026. On 27 September 2026 the ballot was closed and the South African charity places sold out; international charity places were still open.

What is the Cape Town Marathon time limit?

6 hours 30 minutes, counted from when the last runner crosses the start mat, with intermediate cut-offs along the route (ten on the 2026 map, from 7 km at 10:30). 2027 cut-off times aren't published.

How many people run the Cape Town Marathon?

27,000 marathon runners in 2026, a record for the race, including 8,500 from 145 other countries. The 2025 race sold out at 24,000 entries before it was cancelled. (WMM's own Cape Town page lists a largest field of 22,000.)

Does the Cape Town Marathon count toward the Six Star medal?

No. Cape Town became a World Marathon Major in June 2026, but the Six Star medal covers the original six: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York. There is no Eight Star medal: the series' next milestone is the Nine Star medal.

World Marathon Major #4 · Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town Marathon 2027

Checked against the race's own pages on September 27, 2026

Africa's first Major: a Green Point loop past the Castle of Good Hope and along the Sea Point promenade.

It joined the World Marathon Majors in June 2026.

There are 7 ways to get an entry. Each is below, with when it opens, taken from the race's own site.

Track your World Majors Official site

Next race: Sunday, May 23, 2027
Where: Cape Town, South Africa
Ways to get in: 7

Key facts

Next race: Sunday, May 23, 2027
Latest race: May 24, 2026
Start: Green Point, Cape Town (two starts: beside the DHL Stadium on Fritz Sonnenberg Road, and on Beach Road in Mouille Point)
Finish: Vlei Road, Green Point, beside the DHL Stadium
Time limit: 6 hours 30 minutes, counted from when the last runner crosses the start mat, with intermediate cut-offs along the route (ten on the 2026 map, from 7 km at 10:30). 2027 cut-off times aren't published.
Field: 27,000 marathon runners in 2026, a record for the race, including 8,500 from 145 other countries. The 2025 race sold out at 24,000 entries before it was cancelled. (WMM's own Cape Town page lists a largest field of 22,000.)
Official site: capetownmarathon.com

How to get into the Cape Town Marathon

General ballot

The main way in. The 2027 ballot ran 10-24 June 2026, with results and card charges from 26 June; applying cost a non-refundable R5 (about USD 0.30) that goes to a charity linked to the race. Two-thirds of entries are kept for African participants. The 2027 entry fee isn't on the public pages. The ballot is closed.

Candidacy Club (priority entry)

For runners who backed the race during its candidacy: international runners with a 42.2 km finish in 2022, 2023 or 2024, or an entry to the cancelled 2025 race; South African runners need two of those. Members picked 2027, 2028 or 2029 between 10 and 18 June 2026. The 2027 window is closed.

Sanlam sponsored entry (2025 entrants only)

Every entrant of the cancelled 2025 race got a free place for 2026 or 2027. Those who chose 2027 heard on 10 June 2026. These places can't be transferred, substituted or deferred.

Run for Charity (international runners)

A guaranteed place for committing to a fundraising target with one of the international charity partners; ballot winners can fundraise too. Opened first-come, first-served on 26 June 2026 and still shown as open on 27 September 2026.

Run for Charity (South African residents)

A separate program for South African residents, on the same fundraising model. Sold out for 2027.

International tour operators (Travel Program)

Official operators sell entries with travel. The official tour partners are Sports Tours International and Marathon Tours & Travel, and the race lists operators in more than 50 countries. Opened first-come, first-served on 26 June 2026.

Abbott WMM Race Draw

200 draw places for 2027, for runners with three to six stars in their Abbott WMM Runner Portal, entered through the portal; winners pay for their own entry. Cape Town's draw date isn't on WMM's schedule yet.

The course

A loop from Green Point: out along the N2 and through Rondebosch, Newlands and Claremont, around Rondebosch Common near halfway, back through Salt River and Woodstock into the city past the Castle of Good Hope and City Hall, then an out-and-back on the Sea Point promenade to the finish. The longest, steepest climb is through the Company's Garden (about 31-32 km), followed by a descent down Long Street. The official 2026 profile: 215 m of climbing and 209 m of descent, between 8 m and 41 m above sea level. That is the 2026 route, which the race's site still shows; no 2027 route has been published.

Good to know

The race moved from October to May in 2026, which the organiser says brings cooler autumn weather and fewer strong south-easterly winds. The last October race, on 19 October 2025, was cancelled that morning because of wind.
Everyone who finished the 2026 race got the Abbott WMM star once Cape Town passed. Earlier years don't count.
Cape Town doesn't count toward the Six Star medal, which is for the original six. There is no Eight Star medal: the series' next milestone is the Nine Star medal.
2027 entries can't be transferred or substituted. A deferral to 2028 opens closer to race day, except for Sanlam sponsored entries.
No qualifying-time or Good for Age entry has been published for 2027.
You must be 18 by race day. Headphones aren't allowed; hydration packs are. There are 15 hydration stations, about 3 km apart.

Cape Town Marathon questions

When is the next Cape Town Marathon?: Sunday, May 23, 2027. Confirm on the official site before you book travel.
How do you get into the Cape Town Marathon?: There are 7 ways in: general ballot; candidacy club (priority entry); sanlam sponsored entry (2025 entrants only); run for charity (international runners); run for charity (south african residents); international tour operators (travel program); abbott wmm race draw. Entry for 2027 opened on 10 June 2026, the day Major status was announced: the ballot ran 10-24 June, Candidacy Club 10-18 June, and charity and tour-operator places opened on 26 June 2026. On 27 September 2026 the ballot was closed and the South African charity places sold out; international charity places were still open.
What is the Cape Town Marathon time limit?: 6 hours 30 minutes, counted from when the last runner crosses the start mat, with intermediate cut-offs along the route (ten on the 2026 map, from 7 km at 10:30). 2027 cut-off times aren't published.
How many people run the Cape Town Marathon?: 27,000 marathon runners in 2026, a record for the race, including 8,500 from 145 other countries. The 2025 race sold out at 24,000 entries before it was cancelled. (WMM's own Cape Town page lists a largest field of 22,000.)
Does the Cape Town Marathon count toward the Six Star medal?: No. Cape Town became a World Marathon Major in June 2026, but the Six Star medal covers the original six: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York. There is no Eight Star medal: the series' next milestone is the Nine Star medal.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from these pages, read on September 27, 2026. Dates, fees and entry rules change every year; the official site is the authority.

capetownmarathon.com: 10 June 2026: final assessment passed at the 24 May 2026 race; first race as a Major on 23 May 2027; 2027 ballot dates; two-thirds of entries for African participants
worldmarathonmajors.com: Cape Town becomes the eighth Major; 2026 finishers' stars upgraded; Nine Star medal next; Shanghai's deciding race on 6 December 2026
worldmarathonmajors.com: Cape Town became the eighth Major in June 2026; the Six Star medal stays with the original six
worldmarathonmajors.com: Provisional 2026 stars made full; earlier editions don't count; no Eight Star medal
worldmarathonmajors.com: 200 draw places for 2027, three to six stars needed, winners pay for their entry
capetownmarathon.com: 2027 entry timeline, transfers and deferral, two starts, Vlei Road finish, minimum age 18, 6h30 limit, 15 hydration stations, no headphones
capetownmarathon.com: Ballot closed 24 June 2026; charity and tour-operator entries from 26 June; 2026 route, landmarks and profile
capetownmarathon.com: South African charity places sold out; international charity places open
capetownmarathon.com: Official tour partners and operators by country
capetownmarathon.com: Candidacy Club eligibility and its 2027-2029 entry years
capetownmarathon.com: Why the race moved to May from 2026
capetownmarathon.com: 2026 course by kilometre and the 27,000-runner field
capetownmarathon.com: 2026: 27,000 marathon runners, 8,500 from 145 countries

The other World Marathon Majors

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