The ballot for the 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is now open, giving runners the chance to take part in what could be a historic edition of Africa’s leading marathon. Scheduled for 24 May 2026, the race will start and finish at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, continuing its bid to become Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Major.
The 2026 race will mark the final year of the event’s candidacy period. Since joining the Abbott World Marathon Majors candidate program in 2022, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has been working through a multi-year evaluation process to meet the same international standards as races like Boston, London, and Tokyo.
If successful, it would become the eighth Major and the first on the African continent, a major milestone for distance running in the region.
The race is known for its fast, coastal course that winds through Cape Town’s city streets with Table Mountain as a backdrop. Organisers have continued refining the event’s logistics, sustainability goals, and elite field in line with AbbottWMM criteria.
Speaking earlier this year, race co-founder Elana Meyer said the team’s aim is “to create a world-class event that showcases the best of Africa’s running culture while delivering the experience Major runners expect.”
The Cape Town Marathon weekend extends beyond the 42.2 km race itself. Alongside the main event are the 10 km and 5 km Peace Runs, and three Table Mountain Trail Runs of 43 km, 22 km, and 11 km, offering something for runners of all levels.
Entry to the 2026 marathon is through a ballot system, which closes later this year. Applicants must be 18 or older on race day and will pay a non-refundable R5 transaction fee that goes to a local charity.
The draw is random, giving all entrants an equal chance at securing a spot. Successful applicants will be notified by email on 26 November 2025, when the remaining entry fee will automatically be charged to their registered payment card.
For those unlucky in the draw, there are still opportunities to take part in the weekend’s shorter events or volunteer as part of the city’s growing running community. The race has become a celebration of Cape Town itself, with spectators lining the route through Green Point, Sea Point, and the city centre.
Since 2007, the marathon has grown into one of the most prominent races on the continent, attracting elite athletes and amateur runners from around the world. Its ambition to join the Marathon Majors reflects both the sport’s global reach and Africa’s deep running heritage, and 2026 could be the year it makes history.
For more information and to enter the ballot, visit capetownmarathon.com.
