Chumasande Matiwane|Published
Cape Town’s inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon is expected to draw about 30,000 local and international participants on Sunday, 18 October 2026.
The programme includes a full marathon, half marathon, 10km and 5km run-and-walk events.
With the race set to pass through several parts of the city, runners and motorists should familiarise themselves with the routes, cut-off times and planned road closures.
Marathon route through Cape Town
According to the Nelson Mandela Marathon website, runners will embark on a route through the heart of Cape Town, starting at the Grand Parade before passing through District Six, Parliament and the Company’s Garden.
The route will continue into Bo-Kaap, excluding Koesister Hill, before heading towards Sea Point and turning back past DHL Stadium around the Green Point precinct.
Runners will then follow FW de Klerk Boulevard and Marine Drive before looping back towards Adderley Street and finishing on Darling Street.
The full marathon route covers 42km, with an elevation gain of around 250 metres.
Road closures and impact on motorists
The marathon has required coordination between race organisers, traffic authorities, emergency services, the City of Cape Town and communities along the route.
Roads used by runners will experience temporary traffic disruptions or complete closures. Motorists are encouraged to exercise patience and follow the instructions of traffic officials.
Affected roads include Darling Street, Strand Street, Drop Street, Adderley Street, Somerset Road, Heerengracht Street, Constitution Street, Yusuf Drive, Voetboog Road, Chapel Street, the Lower Church Street onramp, Marine Drive, Main Road in Green Point, Hanover Street, Beach Road and Vlei Road.
The City has urged motorists to familiarise themselves with the road closures, which will begin at midnight on Saturday night and continue into race day on Sunday, October 18.
Free MyCiTi shuttle services for runners
The City of Cape Town says free MyCiTi shuttle services for runners will operate between the V&A Waterfront’s Silo district and the Civic Centre, as well as between Canal Walk and the Civic Centre.
The first bus service is expected to begin at 3.30am and run until 1.30pm.
Race start times and cut-off times
The different events will have different start and cut-off times:
5km: Starts at 7.45am and finishes by 9.30am.
10km: Starts at 6.45am and finishes by 9.45am.
21km: Starts at 8.30am and finishes by 12.15pm.
42km: Starts at 5.30am and finishes by 12.30pm.