South Africa · Road marathon · 42.195 km
Kaapsehoop Marathon
Kaapsehoop to Mbombela, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Kaapsehoop Marathon is a point-to-point road race from the Mpumalanga village to Mbombela Stadium. The long descent attracts runners chasing qualifying times, although the uphill sections have not agreed to retire. For 2026, compulsory buses take marathon entrants to the start, with separate entry forms for local and international runners. Older course accounts describe a dirt turnaround, so confirm the latest surface details with the organiser before entering.
AthRecs race guide · Updated
Upcoming dates
Planning your race weekend? These are the announced dates through 2027. Follow the organiser’s link for the latest date and race-day details. All dates and start times are local.
At a glance
- City / location
- Kaapsehoop to Mbombela
- Province
- Mpumalanga
- Distance
- 42.195 kilometres / 26.2 miles
- Surface
- Classified as a road race; older course accounts include a dirt turnaround. Confirm the current turnaround surface with the organiser.
- Course profile
- Predominantly downhill, with uphill sections; pace the descents with the later climbs in mind.
- Approximate field
- Around 3,200Reported finishers · 2025
Lowvelder reports 3,223 full-marathon finishers in 2025, separately from the half marathon and 10 km.
How to enter Kaapsehoop Marathon
These are the organiser’s entry routes. Check the linked page for the edition, opening dates, eligibility, fees and current availability.
South African, Lesotho and Eswatini entry
Use the organiser-linked local EntryGeek form and select 42.2 km. The 2026 listing charges R410 including the compulsory R60 bus fare; pre-entries close on 3 October.
Official entry informationInternational entry
Other international runners have a separate EntryGeek form, listing R615 for the 2026 marathon. Check the foreign-athlete clearance requirements in the race rules.
Official entry informationSubstitutions and distance changes
The 2026 flyer permits substitutions, upgrades and downgrades during race-pack collection for a R60 fee.
Official entry information
Route and course
The 42.2 km course starts at Kaapsehoop and finishes at Mbombela Stadium; the organiser provides compulsory transport to the start.
Race-day planning
Check which edition each detail applies to before making your plans. Follow the linked instructions for the latest arrangements.
- 2026 start and buses
- The marathon starts at 05:30. Compulsory marathon buses depart at 02:30. 2026 start and buses information
- 2026 cut-offs
- Reach halfway by 09:00; the finish cut-off is 11:30. 2026 cut-offs information
- Temporary licences
- A temporary licence costs R50 in 2026. Temporary licences information
- International runners
- Foreign athletes must provide clearance from their home federation under the published rules. International runners information
- On-course rules
- Seconding, pacing and earphones are prohibited by the 2026 race rules. On-course rules information
Past races and results
Official results archiveOpen the organiser’s results to find a runner, club or published category standing. At festivals with several distances, select the marathon results.
2025 Kaapsehoop Marathon
Full 2025 resultsLowvelder reports that Bonginkosi Mavuso broke clear in the second half to regain the title, while Irvette van Zyl led the women home. The 40th edition had 3,223 marathon finishers.
Men
Lowvelder lists Bonginkosi Mavuso first in 2:16:26, Derrick Masango second in 2:17:53 and Mbuti Mollo third in 2:18:08.
View result detailsWomen
Irvette van Zyl won in 2:41:05, followed by Melinda Jansen van Vuuren in 2:52:00 and Rebecca Nakuwa in 2:54:40, according to Lowvelder.
View result details2024 Kaapsehoop Marathon
Full 2024 resultsLowvelder describes a hot race and a close men's contest: Thamsanqa Mthembu retained his title by 13 seconds. The report also names the women's winner and six full-marathon age-group leaders.
Men
Thamsanqa Mthembu won in 2:16:07; Denis Kipkosgei followed in 2:16:20.
View result detailsWomen
Lowvelder names Kebogile Mothadi as winner in 2:53:25, ahead of Melinda Jansen van Vuuren in 2:55:07.
View result detailsMale 40–49
Mthandazo Qhina led the category with 2:26:04.
View result detailsMale 50–59
Nhlanhla Dladla took first place in 2:42:26.
View result detailsMale 60–69
Jabulani Gamete won the age group in 2:54:47.
View result detailsMale 70+
Butch Grobbelaar finished first in 5:37:35.
View result detailsFemale 40–49
Nomcebo Mthethwa led the category with 3:14:01.
View result detailsFemale 60–69
Sarah Crooks won the age group in 3:54:38.
View result detailsRace news, photos and video
Common questions
When is Kaapsehoop Marathon?
Confirmed upcoming dates: 7 Nov 2026. Dates are local to the race.
How do I enter Kaapsehoop Marathon?
South African, Lesotho and Eswatini entry: Use the organiser-linked local EntryGeek form and select 42.2 km. The 2026 listing charges R410 including the compulsory R60 bus fare; pre-entries close on 3 October. International entry: Other international runners have a separate EntryGeek form, listing R615 for the 2026 marathon. Check the foreign-athlete clearance requirements in the race rules. Substitutions and distance changes: The 2026 flyer permits substitutions, upgrades and downgrades during race-pack collection for a R60 fee.
Where is Kaapsehoop Marathon and how far is it?
Kaapsehoop Marathon takes place in Kaapsehoop to Mbombela, Mpumalanga, South Africa. This guide covers the 42.195 km full marathon (26.2 miles). Surface: Classified as a road race; older course accounts include a dirt turnaround. Confirm the current turnaround surface with the organiser.
What is the Kaapsehoop Marathon course like?
The 42.2 km course starts at Kaapsehoop and finishes at Mbombela Stadium; the organiser provides compulsory transport to the start. Predominantly downhill, with uphill sections; pace the descents with the later climbs in mind.
How big is the field at Kaapsehoop Marathon?
The approximate field is Around 3,200, based on Reported finishers for 2025. Lowvelder reports 3,223 full-marathon finishers in 2025, separately from the half marathon and 10 km. Entrants, starters and finishers are different measures.
Where can I find past Kaapsehoop Marathon results?
The past races and results section links to the organiser’s results. Select the distance and edition for participant searches and published category standings.
Sources and race information
AthRecs is independent of the race organiser. This guide brings together the linked race information, results and reports. Source review: . Historical details are labelled by edition; current entry availability and final instructions remain with the organiser.
- Nelspruit Marathon Club and official entry links
- 2026 local entry
- 2026 international entry
- 2026 organiser flyer
- 2026 organiser rules
- Road classification and linked route map
- Earlier course account and surface caveat
- Lowvelder 2025 results and field size
- Lowvelder 2024 results
- 2025 full-marathon timing link index
- 2025 official timing results
- 2024 official timing results
More marathons in South Africa
Compare the route and scale of another race. Options in the same region appear first when available.
- Sasol Secunda Marathon
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Mostly flat with gentle undulations, according to The Running Mann’s 2026 course guide.
Next date: TBC
Approximate field: Unknown
- TRACN4 Elands Marathon
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Predominantly downhill along the escarpment; check the current route profile before planning your pace.
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Approximate field: About 4,300 (Entrants, 2026)
- African Bank Soweto Marathon
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Challenging urban marathon; consult the next edition’s route information for the final layout.
Next date: TBC
Approximate field: About 2,300 (Finishers, 2025)
- aQuellé Jacaranda City Challenge Marathon
Pretoria, Gauteng
The organiser describes the 2026 course as flat.
Next date: 24 Oct 2026
Approximate field: About 3,400 (Finishers, 2025)