Two Oceans Marathon Will Let In 7,000 More Runners Starting in 2027

Cape Town’s Two Oceans Marathon just got a lot more room. Organizers announced on June 30 that starting in 2027, the field for both the half marathon and the 56-kilometer ultra marathon will grow to 21,000 runners each, up from 17,000 and 14,000, respectively. That’s an increase of 4,000 half marathon spots and 7,000 ultra spots combined, opening the race to thousands of runners who previously had to fight for a limited number of entries.

“This will open the door for thousands more athletes to share in the magic of the world’s most beautiful marathon,” said Wade Bromfield, event director of the Two Oceans Marathon.

The 2027 event will also run on a new schedule. Instead of cramming everything into a shorter window, race week will stretch across five days, from March 31 to April 4, with each distance getting its own day in the spotlight.

A New Race Week Format

The half marathon will move to Saturday, April 3, a day earlier than it has typically run in past years. The ultra marathon will keep its traditional spot as the closing event, taking place Sunday, April 4.

Three additional races round out the week. An 8-kilometer night run kicks things off on Wednesday, March 31, followed by a 4.5-kilometer International Friendship Run on Thursday, April 1. Trail runners get their turn on Friday, April 2, with a choice between a 16-kilometer or 24-kilometer course starting and finishing at UCT’s rugby fields.

Chris Goldschmidt, chairperson of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC, said the changes are meant to give each race its own identity without losing what makes the event special. “This enhanced schedule gives each event its own moment to shine, enriches the experience for runners and supporters alike, and creates a memorable build-up to the ultimate highlight of the week,” he said.

Goldschmidt also confirmed the race isn’t going anywhere. The University of Cape Town campus will remain the event’s home through at least 2028. “With its iconic setting, world-class facilities and easy accessibility, UCT provides a supreme backdrop for an exceptional race-week experience,” he said.

Entry Dates and Fees

Runners hoping to lock in a spot should mark their calendars now. Entries for the night run, friendship run, and trail runs open Monday, August 3, 2026.

For the half marathon and ultra marathon, entries open in two phases. Blue Number Club members, a group made up of runners who have completed the ultra marathon multiple times, get early access from July 15 to July 22, 2026. Everyone else will enter through a ballot system opening August 5, 2026.

Pricing varies by race. The half marathon costs 450 South African rand ($28 USD) for licensed South African athletes, while the ultra marathon runs 840 rand ($52 USD). The trail runs are priced at 750 rand ($46 USD) for the 16-kilometer distance and 950 rand ($59 USD) for the 24-kilometer option. The night run costs 320 rand ($20 USD), and the friendship run is 250 rand ($15 USD).

Why It Matters for Runners

The Two Oceans Marathon has built its reputation on its course, which winds along the Cape Peninsula past both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, with sweeping views of mountains and coastline. It’s long been considered one of the most beautiful marathons in the world, and one of the toughest tickets in international distance running, with demand regularly outpacing the number of available entries.

The capacity increase doesn’t guarantee a spot for everyone, since the ballot system means entries are still allocated by a drawing rather than first-come, first-served. But a bigger field means better odds for runners who’ve had the race on their bucket list for years. For anyone weighing whether to try their luck in the 2027 ballot, the wider net is the best opening they’ve had in years.