Cape Town Marathon 2026: Road closures transport and race weekend guide

17 May 2026

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, taking place on 24 May 2026, is one step closer to joining the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors. Several roads will be closed, and restrictions will be implemented along the route. The City advises residents, motorists and participants to take note of these and other logistical arrangements for race day.

With a route linking Green Point, the CBD, Woodstock, Salt River, Observatory, the Southern Suburbs and Sea Point, several roads in those areas will be impacted for several hours on Saturday, 23 May and Sunday, 24 May 2026.

• Helen Suzman Boulevard 
  
• Beach Road in Sea Point
  
• Beach Road in Mouille Point
  
• Granger Bay Boulevard
  
• Nelson Mandela Boulevard
  
• Somerset Road in Green Point
  
• Buitengracht Street
  
• Liesbeek Parkway in Observatory and Mowbray
  
• Darling Street
  
• Long Street 
  
• Adderley Street
  
• Main Road between Woodstock, Observatory and Salt River 

A reminder that parking restrictions will be implemented on several roads in the race footprint from Friday, 22 May 2026 to ensure a car-free route.
 
Key areas include Green Point, Sea Point, the CBD, District Six, Woodstock, Observatory, Salt River, Mowbray, Rondebosch and Newlands.
 
Residents and motorists are urged to adhere to the no-parking notices, as vehicles parked in the restricted areas will be towed.
 
Cape Town Marathon organisers have planned for alternative and secure parking in areas where residents rely on on-street parking.
 
Affected residents can contact the Cape Town Marathon race office at comms@capetownmarathon.com for information on alternative parking arrangements.

Comprehensive information on road closures and parking restrictions are available here.
 
Transport and parking 
 
Runners and spectators going to the start and finish in the Green Point Precinct for the peace runs, trail and marathon are reminded there will be little to no access to parking in the precinct.
 
The Cape Town Marathon has put together a transport plan that includes park & ride, MyCiTi shuttles, a special train service and a bicycle park.
 
On Saturday, 23 May, the marathon will run a shuttle service from the V&A Waterfront, the CTICC, Civic Centre and Thibault Square MyCiTi stations to the start line outside DHL Stadium for athletes participating in the 5km and 10km peace runs, as well as the trail runs. 
 
These will operate between 05:30 and 17:30. 
 
A park & ride system, with a shuttle service and parking, will operate from Century City and UCT on Sunday, with the first buses leaving at 05:30 and the last bus to the start line departing at 06:30. 
 
The first return bus to Century City and UCT leaves at 11:00 from the MyCiTi Stadium Station, with the last bus departing at 17:30.
 
A free MyCiTi shuttle to the start line will operate from the Civic Centre, Thibault Square and CTICC between 05:30 until 06:45 on Sunday pre-race. The return bus will operate from 11:00 – 17:30 post-race.
 
For more information on the transport options, visit the Cape Town Marathon website.
 
For those taking the MyCiTi shuttle from the Civic Centre station, the City of Cape Town will open its parking bays for Cape Town Marathon runners on Sunday.
 
The parking bays, accessible from Hertzog Boulevard incoming and on Civic Avenue, will be available on a first-come, first-served basis from 05:00.
 
The parking will remain open until 18:00 on Sunday. 
 
The marathon will also impact service on several MyCiTi routes, including in the inner city, Sea Point, Camp’s Bay, Hout Bay/Hangberg, through Woodstock and Salt River.
 
For more information on the MyCiTi service disruption, visit the MyCiTi website.
 
Spectator cheer zones 
 
The City is activating its vibrant hydration station and cheer zone outside City Hall to keep the energy high as runners pass through the city centre.
 
Members of the public are invited to gather at the 29,9km mark on the Grand Parade, in front of City Hall, to cheer on participants as they make their way towards the finish line.
 
A lively minstrel group, DJ and dancers will help lift the runners’ spirits and celebrate the occasion.
 
The festive atmosphere will not be limited to Darling Street and spectators are encouraged to line the route and be part of this historic event.
 
The Cape Town Marathon has compiled a list of the best spectator viewing points along the route:

• Start areas on Fritz Sonnenberg Road and Beach Road, Green Point
  
• 6,5km mark at the N2 off-ramp (near Searle Street, Woodstock)
  
• 15,3km mark at the Palmyra Junction Shopping Centre
  
• 17,2km mark outside Rondebosch Park on Campground Road
  
• 20km – 22km mark on Rondebosch Common
  
• 26,7km at the Salt River Circle
  
• 27km – 29km mark along Albert Road and Newmarket Street, Salt River
  
• 30,7km – 32,1km on Government Avenue, onto Orange and Long streets
  
• 34km – Green Point Main Road with KFM outside the Primedia building
  
• 36,3km – Sea Point Promenade
  
• 40km mark along Beach Road in Sea Point
  
• The Finish on Vlei Road in Green Point 

For more information on this and other events in Cape Town, visit the Events in Cape Town website.

 End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office