Cape Town Marathon
Race Day Weather
Cool start, steady headwinds
Runners will face a starting temperature of 57°F, rising to 62°F by the finish, with average humidity at 80%. A headwind will challenge participants from miles 2-8 and again at mile 18, making pacing adjustments essential during these sections. Hydration should be prioritized given the humidity, while the tailwind from miles 9-22 offers a chance to gain speed on the gently rolling terrain.
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Race Info
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is a marathon (42.2 km) held in Cape Town, South Africa, first run in its current form in 2007. It also offers a 10K, a 5K, and trail runs. Held each October through 2024, the race moved to a May date starting in 2026 to avoid the region's spring winds and to pursue Abbott World Marathon Majors status. A scheduled October 2025 running was cancelled about 90 minutes before the start after overnight winds damaged race infrastructure. The marathon becomes Africa's first Abbott World Marathon Major at its 23 May 2027 edition. The course has been revised in recent years to a flatter, faster route and starts and finishes in Green Point, near Cape Town Stadium. The race also hosts the South African marathon championships and is a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race. Wikipedia
