© Sanlam Cape Town Marathon
How to register for the Cape Town Marathon
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is currently one of the hottest topics in the global running scene. Perfectly organized and supported by major partners, the event is on track to become the 8th Abbott World Marathon Major—and the first ever on the African continent. After the painful cancellation of the 2025 edition due to extreme winds, the race will make its big return on May 24, 2026, carrying strong symbolism of resilience and unity. Highly anticipated by both African runners and international athletes, the Cape Town Marathon sells out year after year. Securing a bib requires planning ahead and acting early. Here’s how to maximize your chances of lining up at the start of this historic future Major.
✓ How do you register for the Cape Town Marathon? Here’s everything you need to know.
| A lottery system on the road to Major status
The Cape Town Marathon now operates with a lottery system, similar to the world’s biggest marathons. With massive demand, this is currently the only way amateur runners can gain entry. Even elite amateur runners cannot register using a qualifying time. Interest in the race has grown rapidly:
✔ 20,000 participants in 2024
✔ 24,000 registered runners in 2025 before the race was cancelled
For the 2026 edition, key dates are:
➜ November 6 – November 25, 2025: Lottery registration opens (including Sanlam-sponsored entries for 2025 participants)
➜ November 26, 2025: Lottery draw and bib allocation
➜ From November 29, 2025: Tour operator and charity entries open
Registration takes place online on the official race website, and it’s essential to respect the deadlines—once the registration window closes, no late entries are accepted.
| Other ways to get a bib
If luck isn’t on your side in the lottery, there are two reliable alternatives.
Tour operators
One option is booking through official travel partners such as Marathon Tours & Travel or Sports Tours International. These agencies offer guaranteed race packages, typically including:
✔ Race entry
✔ Hotel accommodation
✔ Sometimes transfers and on-site assistance
It’s more expensive but guarantees a spot in this highly sought-after marathon.
Running for charity
Another option is to run for a charity partner. By committing to raise funds for one of the race’s official charities, you can receive a guaranteed bib outside the lottery. It’s a meaningful way to take part in this historic event while supporting a cause.
| How much does a Cape Town Marathon bib cost?
Like other major international marathons, the 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon uses a tiered pricing structure based on the runner’s place of residence. The goal is twofold:
✔ Keep the race affordable for South African runners
✔ Align international entry fees with major global marathons
The payment process happens in two steps. First, during lottery registration, 5 South African rand (about €0.25) are charged as a non-refundable administrative fee, which is donated entirely to charity. If you are selected in the lottery, the full entry fee is automatically charged to the credit card on file.
Official 2026 prices
South African residents
➜ 800 rand (about €41)
Includes bib, timing chip, and official adidas race shirt.
Residents of the rest of Africa
➜ 1,950 rand (about €100)
Includes adidas race shirt, pre-race celebration access, post-race hospitality zone, and timing chip.
International runners (Europe, Americas, Asia, Oceania)
➜ 3,900 rand (about €201)
Includes official adidas shirt, hospitality access before and after the race, and timing chip.
For international runners, this price sits within the range of major global marathons, with additional services designed to enhance the experience for travelers. It is crucial to ensure sufficient funds are available on your credit card before the November 26 lottery draw. If the automatic payment fails, the entry is immediately canceled with no possibility of recovery.
| Cape Town on track to become a Major
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is actively pursuing a historic goal: becoming the first African race in the Abbott World Marathon Majors. After successfully completing the first phase of the evaluation process in 2024, the 2025 race was expected to confirm the project—but the cancellation delayed progress.
The 2026 edition will therefore be decisive, representing the final step in the evaluation process. Supported by the existing Major organizers, the City of Cape Town, and major partners such as Sanlam and adidas, the race now represents a collective project that goes far beyond sport.
All 2026 finishers will receive a provisional AbbottWMM star, further increasing global interest in the event.
Important reminder: runners registered for the canceled 2025 edition receive a free entry for 2026 or 2027, courtesy of title sponsor Sanlam—regardless of the race’s future Major status.
| Course and race experience: a spectacular marathon
Running the Cape Town Marathon is a unique experience. The course is a loop starting and finishing in Green Point, close to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, right by the ocean. With about 260 meters of elevation gain, the route is neither completely flat nor overly demanding. It features rolling sections, gentle gradients, and long coastal stretches.
Runners pass through iconic neighborhoods such as: Woodstock, District Six, Rondebosch, Cape Town city center before finishing with a spectacular stretch along the Sea Point Promenade, facing the Atlantic Ocean and with Table Mountain as a breathtaking backdrop.
Recent results highlight the course’s potential:
➜ Glenrose Xaba set a South African record in 2024 with 2:22:22
➜ Abdisa Tola, brother of Olympic champion Tamirat Tola, won the men’s race in 2:08:16, setting a new course record.
From 2026 onward, the race will move to May, offering cooler and more stable weather compared to the previous October date.
Key information – Cape Town Marathon 2026
- Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026
- Participants: around 24,000 runners expected
- Elevation gain: about 250 m (rolling course)
- Average temperature: 10–15°C
- Goal: a unique chance to run a future Major on African soil
- Price: from €41 (locals) and €201 (international runners)
The Cape Town Marathon is no longer just another race—it is a historic project for African and global running. Unique landscapes, passionate crowds, Major-level organization, and strong symbolism make it a truly special event. Getting a bib requires planning and a bit of luck, but the experience is well worth it. Whether through the lottery, a tour operator, or a charity entry, running in Cape Town means taking part in a marathon that could soon become part of running history.
✔ Full registration details are available here.
Clément LABORIEUX
Journalist
