Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 2027
The first Abbott World Marathon Major in Africa. Start and finish by DHL Stadium, with Table Mountain on the horizon.
Entries bought directly from the race organizer. We never sell entries on their own: every entry comes inside a travel package.
Listed by the organizer as an international tour operator
The race
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon enters 2027 with a new title: it is the first year as an Abbott World Marathon Major, and the first major on the African continent. The route follows the Atlantic coast with Table Mountain filling the horizon.
Cape Town
Cape Town sits between a mountain and the Atlantic, and it shows in every free hour. Table Mountain is a short ride from the center, the V&A Waterfront has the harbor and the food halls, and the ferry to Robben Island leaves from the same docks when the weather allows.
Wine country around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek is about an hour away by car. Late May is autumn here: cool mornings, soft light and fewer visitors than in the summer peak.
Plan your trip
- Dates: Race day: Sunday, May 23, 2027. Your package covers 3 nights around race day, with the exact check-in date confirmed at booking.
- Local currency: ZAR, South African rand. Cards are widely accepted. Tipping around 10% in restaurants is common.
Sales status: On sale.
Race guide
Course
- Profile: Rolling; 140 m, total climb, about, per third-party guides
- Climb: A longer climb after halfway
- Wind: Strong wind off the ocean is possible on the coast
- Start and finish: Green Point, by DHL Stadium
Weather
Averages for May: low 10°C (50°F), high 21°C (69°F), rain 61 mm, humidity 81%.
Expo and bib pickup
Coming soon.
Last edition (2026): DHL Stadium, Fritz Sonnenberg Road, Green Point, Cape Town. Thursday 21 to Saturday 23 May. There is no pickup on race day. Daily hours are published by the organizer.
The city for runners
Parks and routes
- Sea Point Promenade: The Prom: a flat seafront path and the most popular run in Cape Town.
- Green Point Urban Park: A paved inner ring, easy to link with the Promenade.
Tracks
- Green Point Athletics Stadium: No regular public hours, so access has to be arranged.
- Camps Bay High School: A 400 m grass track, open after 4 pm according to a local guide.
Running stores
- ASICS, Bree Street: A running-focused store in the city center.
- The Athlete's Foot: Running shoes and gait assessment. Check the branch.
- Totalsports: A chain with gait and foot analysis in some stores.
Group runs
- parkrun Green Point: A free 5K every Saturday at 8:00. Register on parkrun to be timed.
Hotel: One Thibault Hotel by ITC Hospitality.
Part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
- Date: May 23, 2027
- Distances: 42K
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
- Collection: Abbott World Marathon Major
Book now (info@espressoexplorer.com)
Prices start at
- Double room, 1 runner + 1 companion: US$ 1,800 per person (US$ 3,600 per room)
- Double room, 2 runners: US$ 2,000 per person (US$ 4,000 per room)
- Single room, 1 runner: US$ 2,500 per person
Travelling with friends or your running crew?
Three or more runners? We set you up in an apartment of your own, close to the start line. Pricing and full details are only available on request. Tell us who is coming and which race, and we send a quote. Group travel is not available for every race. Email us or use the contact form and we confirm whether your race can be set up as a group trip.