Cape Town Marathon
Cape Town, South Africa · Monday 24 May 2027
The Cape Town Marathon is a 42.2-kilometer road race set on a single loop course through central Cape Town and its vibrant suburbs. Runners begin on either Fritz Sonnenberg Road adjacent to Green Point Stadium or the new Beach Road Start in Mouille Point, depending on their seeding and wave assignment a system introduced to improve crowd management and flow.
Difficulty Calculator
h
:m
:s
Adjusted Time
4:09:10
Time difference: +9.2 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain283m
Elevation High42m
Elevation Low1m
Weather Forecast
High19°C
Low15°C
Chance of Rain0%
How hard is Cape Town Marathon?
Difficultharder than 68% of marathons
Flattest / easiestHardest
On our difficulty model, Cape Town Marathon plays about 11 minutes slower than an average road marathon for a 3:30 runner. It ranks #373 hardest of 1150 marathons we analyse, and #6 of 12 in South Africa. Use the calculator above to see the exact adjusted time for your own goal pace.
What will you run at Cape Town Marathon?
Estimated finish times on this course versus the same effort on an average road marathon, based on its elevation, surface, and expected race-day temperature.
| Average-course time | On Cape Town Marathon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00:00 | 3:03:15 | +03:15 |
| 3:30:00 | 3:36:04 | +06:04 |
| 4:00:00 | 4:09:10 | +09:10 |
| 4:30:00 | 4:42:32 | +12:32 |
| 5:00:00 | 5:16:09 | +16:09 |
| 5:30:00 | 5:50:00 | +20:00 |
| 6:00:00 | 6:24:05 | +24:05 |
Use the calculator above for your exact goal time. Want a prediction from your own training? Try the marathon time predictor.
Cape Town Marathon 2027 Course Analysis
Cape Town Marathon is a full marathon held in Cape Town, South Africa. It is scheduled for Monday 24 May 2027. The course is run on road surface with 283m of total climbing, with its high point near 42m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Cape Town Marathon website.
Elevation Profile
With 283m of total climbing, this is a gently undulating course. The elevation changes are manageable for most runners and shouldn't greatly affect your pacing.
Expected Race Day Weather
Based on historical weather data for May, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Moderate temperatures between 15°C and 19°C are expected. While comfortable for most runners, those targeting fast times should pay attention to hydration, as these temperatures can impact performance on race day. There is a low chance of rain (0%), so dry conditions are likely.
Surface Type: Road
Cape Town Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for racing. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for a personal best.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Cape Town Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
Marathons of similar difficulty
If Cape Town Marathon fits your goal, these courses play out about the same on our difficulty model.
Other Marathons in South Africa
Jacaranda City Challenge 21km
Pretoria, South Africa
Road129m gainNov 2026
Capital City Marathon - Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Road348m gainFeb 2027
Cape Gate Vaal Marathon
Vereeniging, South Africa
Road115m gainFeb 2027
Pretoria Marathon
Pretoria, South Africa
Road487m gainFeb 2027
TRAC N4 Elands Marathon
Waterval Boven, South Africa
Road79m gainMar 2027