2027 Cape Town Marathon - May 23

2027 Cape Town Marathon - May 23 Countdown

-- DAYS
-- HRS
-- MIN
-- SEC

Want personality modes & weather integration? Try the full countdown experience

Registration closed · charity entry only View official registration →

See entry dates for other marathons →

Race Information

Race2027 Cape Town Marathon - May 23
CityCape Town
Date2027-05-23 at 07:50
Time Limit6 hours 30 min
Cutoff pace9:15/km
TimezoneAfrica/Johannesburg
Official SiteSanlam Cape Town Marathon

One email when it opens. Unsubscribe anytime. · Privacy

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature16.1°C / 61°F
Humidity82%
Peak Wind26.7 km/h
Rain Chance38%
Typical ConditionsCool autumn weather; rain and coastal wind are possible.

What to Prepare: Historical race-week statistics, not a 2027 forecast: temperature is a daily mean, humidity a median, and wind the median daily maximum at 10m. Pack a removable layer and check the race-week forecast. Rainfall percentage means historical days with at least 1mm of rain.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

This historical wind statistic is the median daily maximum at 10m, not the wind you will face throughout the race. The Sea Point section includes a turn, so direction matters; use the race-day forecast for pacing decisions.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Race-Week Climate

NASA POWER / MERRA-2, 2005–2024: daily values within ±7 days of 05-23. This is a 20-year seasonal sample, not 20 May editions: Cape Town moved to May in 2026.

Cooler Typical Warmer
Temperature 14.7°C 16.1°C 17.4°C
Dew point 9.9°C 13.1°C 15°C
Wet-day chance: 38% Runnability: 69/100

Data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), NASA Langley Research Center

Course Profile

Course TypeLoop with a seafront out-and-back
TerrainRoad
ProfileRolling city course; main climb at 31–32km, then a downhill return to the coast. Based on the 2026 route.

Course Analysis

A rolling route, with the key climb after 30km

Official 2026 Cape Town Marathon elevation profile: 215m ascent, main climb at 31–32km
Official 2026 elevation profileSource: Sanlam Cape Town MarathonView full-size

Cape Town is a coastal city marathon, but it is not flat from start to finish. The official 2026 profile gives 215m of total ascent and 209m of descent, with elevations from 8m to 41m above sea level. The small altitude range hides repeated rises and falls.

The route starts in Green Point, heads through the southern suburbs and Rondebosch Common, returns via Salt River and Woodstock, then reaches the city centre before a Sea Point out-and-back. The analysis below uses the published 2026 route; check the final 2027 map before fixing meeting points or pacing landmarks. Official 2026 profile.

0–10km: settle into the rollers

The profile marks gentle opening rollers from 3–10km, rather than a perfectly level opening. The official spectator guide places the N2 off-ramp at 6.5km. Use this section to find a sustainable rhythm and allow the kilometre splits to vary on each rise instead of forcing the same pace uphill.

The two start areas are Stadium and Beach Road. Go to the location assigned in your seeding information. Official start guidance.

13–30km: the steady middle and the return to town

The official profile labels 13–30km as the long, steady middle. Rondebosch Common comes around 20–22km, followed by Salt River Circle at 26.7km and Woodstock at 27–29km. The Castle of Good Hope and City Hall mark the return to Darling Street around 30km.

Treat the halfway Common as a pacing check, not a cue to accelerate: the course’s main climb is still ahead. Use the official distance markers to assess your splits after the turns around the Common. Official 2026 course landmarks.

30.7–33.3km: the Gardens climb, then Long Street

Company Gardens, at 30.7–32.1km, is the decisive uphill section. The organizer describes it as the longest and steepest climb of the day. The official profile places the main climb at 31–32km, late enough that treating Cape Town like a flat race is an unhelpful pacing plan.

Shorten your stride and let pace ease on the climb. Long Street, at 32.1–33.3km, provides the following descent: recover a controlled rhythm before deciding whether to push again. The profile calls the final 10km a gradual descent, but that does not remove the sea-front turn still to come. Gardens and Long Street details.

36.3–42.2km: finish the Sea Point loop before celebrating

The official guide places the Sea Point Promenade loop at 36.3–41.4km. You head away along the ocean before turning back, so being close to Green Point does not mean the finish is immediately ahead. In wind, expect the return leg to feel different from the outward leg; check the actual forecast rather than assigning a fixed time penalty.

Hold your effort through the turn, then reassess on the homeward leg. The final destination is Vlei Road in Green Point. Plan supporters around the out-and-back if they want two chances to see you, using your wave and pace for timing. Official Sea Point and finish guide.

Four things to arrange for race weekend

Where to stay

Start with the start/finish area to simplify race morning.

  1. First choice
    Green Point / Mouille Point

    Check the walk to your assigned start entrance.

  2. Alternative
    V&A Waterfront

    Combine the race with dining and sightseeing.

  3. Alternative
    Foreshore / CTICC

    A city-centre base; the Expo is at the stadium.

Hotel examples & booking checks
Radisson RED Cape Town V&A WaterfrontMTT estimate: 25-minute walk to the stadium
Radisson Hotel Cape Town ForeshoreMTT estimate: 35-minute walk to the stadium

Allow for your assigned start entrance.

Check entry, breakfast and transfers separately. Guaranteed entry is an optional extra in MTT’s programme; booking a hotel independently does not add the tour services.

The official transport guide is still for 2026, when there was no Sunday-morning Waterfront shuttle to the start. Recheck transport before choosing a room on that assumption.

Hotels & packages · Approved operators · Transport & walking maps

When to collect your bib

20–22 May · DHL Stadium

Saturday closes at 16:00

Thu 20 May
09:00–19:00
Fri 21 May
09:00–19:30
Sat 22 May
09:00–16:00

Collect on Friday if you can, leaving Saturday free.

Venue & official schedule

The 2027 Expo & Registration is at DHL Stadium in Green Point. All hours are local. Wednesday 19 May is exhibitor setup, not a visiting day.

Official hours & floor plan

Bring friends into the weekend

  • Saturday
    Run a 5K or 10K together

    Peace Runs on 22 May; separate entry required.

  • At the Expo
    Music, food & race souvenirs

    Something to enjoy alongside bib collection.

  • Sunday
    Cheer on the seafront

    The 2026 out-and-back offers two sightings from one area.

Entries, spectating & hosted activities

The 2027 Peace Runs are on 22 May. Details & entry.

The Expo also lists coffee, wine tasting and running products. Expo activities.

Check the final 2027 route before fixing a seafront viewing spot; the course analysis above uses the published 2026 route.

Some tour packages include shakeouts, a welcome concert and after-parties. Sports Tours International lists its after-party at Time Out Market. Access depends on your package, not simply your marathon entry. Hosted activities and conditions.

Remember before you pack

Headphones
Not allowed
Hydration pack
Allowed
Mass-field timing
Net time
Free photos
2 images
Aid stations & photo redemption

The FAQ lists 15 hydration stations roughly 3km apart, including two water-only stops. Bring any specific fuel you need.

Non-elite runners are timed mat-to-mat. Headphones and earphones of every type are prohibited.

Keep the photo code sent in pre-event emails. The FAQ says Sportograf photos are available within 48 hours after the event, with two free images for marathon runners.

Official kit, timing & photo rules

Prepare for 2027 Cape Town Marathon - May 23

Use our free training tools to get race-ready:

View all running tools

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2027 Cape Town Marathon?

Sunday 23 May 2027. The countdown provisionally uses 07:50:00 local time, the 2026 wheelchair first start. The 2027 start times are still pending; use your own wave’s instructions once published.

Official 2026 start schedule

Is Cape Town now a World Marathon Major?

Yes. AbbottWMM confirmed Cape Town as its eighth member in June 2026; its first race formally in the series is the 2027 edition. The Six Star Medal remains tied to the original six races.

AbbottWMM: Cape Town

Can I still enter after the ballot?

The general ballot closed on 24 June 2026. Check the organizer’s international charity programme or official tour operators for alternatives and current availability. South African local charity entries are marked sold out; that does not mean every international package is sold out.

Official entry information

Official charity programme

What is the marathon time limit?

The official FAQ lists 6 hours 30 minutes. That averages about 9:15/km (14:52/mile) over 42.195km, before allowing for stops. Check intermediate course cut-offs as well as the finish limit.

Official race FAQ

Which start should I go to?

Use the start assigned in your seeding information: the FAQ lists Stadium and Beach Road starts. All events finish on Vlei Road. Do not use a previous edition’s start time as your 2027 reporting time.

Official race FAQ

More Marathon Countdowns

All 2027 marathons View all marathons