Cape Town Marathon: Important information as race prepares for World Majors reveiw

09 October 2025

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, taking place on 19 October 2025, is one step closer to joining the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors. The City advises residents, motorists and participants to take note of the logistical arrangements, road closures and restrictions that will be in effect on race day.

This year’s Cape Town Marathon will undergo final stage evaluation as an Abbott World Marathon Majors candidate.

Passing the assessment would see Cape Town join Berlin, Boston, Chicago, New York, London, Sydney and Tokyo as part of the series of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world in 2026.

Having successfully completed stage one of assessment in 2024, the Cape Town Marathon will have to meet a 104-point criteria that requires excellence in operational standards and participant experience.

The City remains committed to supporting the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in its journey to achieving Abbott World Marathon Major status. Joining this prestigious group would be an incredible milestone not only for Cape Town and South Africa, but for the entire continent. Over the past few months, our City teams have been working closely with marathon organisers on the race route, coordinating logistics, and finalising plans to ensure a safe and successful event for all. A key focus area for this year’s evaluation is ensuring that no vehicles are parked along the route, and we once again ask for the public’s support in maintaining this standard,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Road closure and parking restrictions

With a route linking the Atlantic Seaboard, Woodstock, Salt River, Observatory, the Southern Suburbs and the CBD, roads in those areas will be impacted for several hours on 19 October.

As Abbott World Marathon Major evaluation requires a car-free route, several parking restrictions will be instituted along the race route in those neighbourhoods.

The restrictions will be in place from 08:00 on Friday, 17 October until 14:00 on Sunday, 19 October 2025.
Some of the critical areas include Long Street, Green Point Main Road, Beach Road in Sea Point, Adderley Street, Darling Street, Victoria Road in Salt River, Albert Road in Woodstock, Campground Road in Rondebosch, Orange Street in Gardens.

A comprehensive list of the no parking areas and road closures for the marathon is available here.

For enquiries on road closures and parking restrictions, please contact comms@capetownmarathon.com

Transport

Runners and spectators going to the start and finish in the Green Point Precinct 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 a park & ride, a MyCiTi shuttle, a special train service and a bicycle park.

The bus shuttle, to the race start, will be available from Century City, UCT CTICC, Civic Centre while the MyCiTi Express shuttle will also be available for participants from Table View (T01), Hout Bay (109) and Camps Bay/Maiden’s Cove (109).
For more information on the transport option, visit the Cape Town Marathon website.

Spectator vibe points

No race in Cape Town is complete without ‘gees’, atmosphere and support of spectators along the route, offering much-needed encouragement to the athletes.

The City is setting up a hydration station, and a vibe point outside City Hall to keep the energy high as runners pass through the city centre.

Members of the public are invited to join at the 29,9km mark on the Grand Parade, in front of City Hall, to cheer on the participants as they make their way towards the finish line.

There will be a DJ, dancers and a minstrel group to help lift the runners’ spirits and celebrate the occasion.
The festive atmosphere will not be limited to Darling Street; 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 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
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: www.eventsincapetown.com

Photo caption: Runners during the 2024 race (Credit: Chris Hitchcock/Sanlam Cape Town Marathon)

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office