The Cape Town Marathon is one of Africa's premier road races and holds World Athletics Gold Label status. Starting and finishing at the iconic Green Point, runners enjoy a flat, fast course that loops through the city with breathtaking views of Table Mountain, the Atlantic coastline, and the vibrant neighbourhoods of the Mother City. Cape Town is a world-class destination that combines natural beauty, rich history, and outstanding food and wine — making it the perfect race-cation.
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The Event
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event | Cape Town Marathon 2026 |
| Date | October 18, 2026 |
| Venue | Green Point (near Cape Town Stadium) |
| Address | Fritz Sonnenberg Road, Green Point, Cape Town, 8005 |
| Airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) |
October in Cape Town marks the start of spring heading into summer. Expect mild to warm weather with temperatures around 14–22°C (57–72°F), mostly sunny skies, and occasional wind — conditions that are generally excellent for marathon running.
The Venue: Green Point
The start and finish area is located on Fritz Sonnenberg Road in Green Point, right next to Cape Town Stadium — the venue built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The precinct sits between the V&A Waterfront and the Sea Point promenade, offering easy access to restaurants, hotels, and public transport. It is one of the most scenic race venues in the world.
What's nearby:
- V&A Waterfront — Cape Town's premier shopping and dining complex, a 10-minute walk from the start line
- Cape Town Stadium — the striking 2010 World Cup venue that serves as the visual backdrop to the race
- Sea Point Promenade — a popular 11 km oceanfront walkway perfect for shakeout runs
- Signal Hill — a short drive for panoramic sunset views over the city and Atlantic Ocean
Important: Race morning starts early — roads around Green Point close from around 5:00 AM. If you're staying outside the area, plan transport the night before or allow extra time.
Where to Stay
Green Point and the V&A Waterfront are the best areas to stay for the marathon — you can walk to the start line and enjoy world-class restaurants and attractions on your doorstep. The City Bowl and Sea Point are also excellent choices, both within a short Uber ride of the start.
The Silo Hotel — Top Pick
The Silo Hotel is Cape Town's most iconic luxury property, perched above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa at the V&A Waterfront. It's a 15-minute walk to the start line and offers extraordinary views of Table Mountain from its rooftop pool. The rooms are spacious with floor-to-ceiling pillow-shaped windows, and the concierge can arrange early breakfast for race morning.
AC Hotel Cape Town Waterfront — Closest to Start
This modern Marriott-brand hotel sits right in the Green Point precinct, putting you within a 5-minute walk of the start line. The rooms are sleek and comfortable with blackout curtains — ideal for an early race-morning alarm. It's a solid 4-star option with a fitness centre and easy access to the Waterfront.
The Three Boutique Hotel — Best Value
A stylish boutique hotel on the border of Green Point and Sea Point, The Three offers clean, modern rooms at a fraction of Waterfront hotel prices. It's about a 10-minute walk to the start and a stone's throw from the Sea Point promenade. Free Wi-Fi, a pool, and a great on-site restaurant make it excellent value for runners.
Getting There
From Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
Cape Town International Airport is located about 20 km east of the city centre, in the suburb of Matroosfontein.
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uber/Bolt | ~25 min | R200–R350 | Most popular option; available 24/7 |
| MyCiTi Airport Bus | ~40 min | R100 | Runs to Civic Centre; limited hours |
| Car rental | ~25 min | From R300/day | Useful for exploring the Cape; parking can be tricky downtown |
Uber or Bolt is the easiest and most affordable option for most visitors. Rides are cashless, safe, and readily available at the airport.
Public Transport
Cape Town's MyCiTi bus network covers the city centre, Sea Point, and the Atlantic Seaboard well, though coverage thins out further afield. The Golden Arrow bus system serves the broader metro. Most visitors supplement public transport with Uber or Bolt, which are very affordable in Cape Town.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Single ride (MyCiTi) | R15–R30 |
| Day pass | Not available — tap on/off system |
| Myconnect card (rechargeable) | R35 for the card + top-up |
Pick up a Myconnect card at the airport or at MyCiTi station kiosks — you cannot pay cash on board.
Where to Eat
V&A Waterfront — A massive selection of restaurants ranging from casual food courts to fine dining. The Watershed market is great for local crafts and bites, while the Victoria Wharf has every cuisine imaginable.
Bree Street (City Bowl) — Cape Town's trendiest food street, lined with innovative restaurants, wine bars, and cafés. This is where the city's culinary energy lives.
Cape Town Food to Try
- Cape Malay bobotie — A fragrant, mildly spiced minced meat bake topped with egg custard, a signature Cape dish
- Braai (BBQ) — South Africa's beloved grilled meat tradition; try boerewors (coiled sausage) and lamb chops
- Gatsby — A massive stuffed sub sandwich loaded with chips, steak, or polony — Cape Town's original street food
- Biltong and droëwors — Air-dried cured meats; the perfect high-protein race-week snack
- Koeksisters — Sticky, syrup-drenched twisted doughnuts; the Cape Malay version is rolled in coconut
Budget eating: Cape Town is very affordable for international visitors. Local spots in Woodstock and Observatory serve full meals for under R100 (about $5 USD). Supermarkets like Woolworths Food have excellent ready-made meals and salads for carb-loading.
Essential Cape Town Tips
Currency. South African Rand (ZAR).
Cash vs card. Card is widely accepted in restaurants, hotels, and shops, but carry some cash for tips, markets, and informal vendors.
Tipping. 10–15% at restaurants is standard. Tip car guards R5–R10, and petrol attendants R10–R20.
Language. English is widely spoken and is the main language of business and tourism, alongside Afrikaans and Xhosa.
Weather in October. Spring weather — mostly sunny with temperatures of 14–22°C (57–72°F). The notorious south-easter wind ("Cape Doctor") can pick up in the afternoon. Bring a light jacket for evenings.
Safety. Cape Town is generally safe in tourist areas like the Waterfront, City Bowl, and Sea Point, but be aware of your surroundings. Don't flash expensive items and avoid walking alone at night in quieter areas. Use Uber after dark.
What to See
- Table Mountain — Take the Aerial Cableway to the top for one of the world's great views; book online to skip the queue
- Robben Island — The UNESCO World Heritage Site where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned; ferry departs from the V&A Waterfront
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden — A stunning garden on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain; perfect for a post-race recovery walk
- Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope — A dramatic day trip along Chapman's Peak Drive to the tip of the Cape Peninsula
- Bo-Kaap — The colourful historic Malay Quarter with cobblestone streets, spice shops, and the Bo-Kaap Museum
- Constantia Wine Route — South Africa's oldest wine-producing region, just 20 minutes from the city centre — ideal for post-race celebrating
Quick Reference
| Need | Answer |
|---|---|
| Airport | Cape Town International (CPT), ~25 min from venue |
| Venue | Green Point, Fritz Sonnenberg Road |
| Nearest station | Granger Bay MyCiTi stop |
| Transport to venue | Uber/Bolt (~R250 from airport) |
| Currency | South African Rand (ZAR) |
| Cash needed? | Sometimes — for tips and markets |
| Language | English (widely spoken) |
| Weather | 14–22°C (57–72°F), sunny and breezy |
| Tipping | 10–15% at restaurants |
| Emergency | 10111 (police) / 10177 (ambulance) |
This guide will be updated as more event details are confirmed. Last updated: May 2026.