South Africa · Road running
South Africa road marathons
South Africa’s road marathons take in Cape Town’s coastline, Soweto’s streets and some fairly persuasive hills. Compare 42.195 km races by province, with confirmed dates, entry options, course guides, approximate fields and previous results. A downhill route may look generous on paper; your legs might offer a different review the following morning.
20 race guides · 42.195 km / 26.2 miles · Dates through 2027
Upcoming marathon dates
Find road marathons taking place between now and the end of 2027. Compare the location and approximate field, then open a race guide for entry options, course maps and previous results. Runner numbers refer to the year shown; Unknown means a reliable estimate is not available.
| Date | Marathon | City / location | Province | Approximate field |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| aQuellé Jacaranda City Challenge Marathon | Pretoria | Gauteng | About 3,400Finishers · 2025 | |
| Kaapsehoop Marathon | Kaapsehoop to Mbombela | Mpumalanga | Around 3,200Reported finishers · 2025 | |
| Sportsmans Warehouse Winelands Marathon | Stellenbosch | Western Cape | About 1,600Finishers · 2025 | |
| NMB 1City Marathon | Gqeberha | Eastern Cape | About 1,200Recorded finishers · 2025 | |
| Johnson Crane Hire Marathon | Benoni | Gauteng | About 3,400Finishers · 2025 | |
| Infantry School Cango Marathon | Oudtshoorn | Western Cape | Unknown | |
| TRACN4 Elands Marathon | Emgwenya (Waterval Boven) to Ngodwana | Mpumalanga | About 4,300Entrants · 2026 | |
| Capital City Marathon | Pietermaritzburg | KwaZulu-Natal | About 900 runnersFinishers · 2026 | |
| Durban City Marathon | Durban | KwaZulu-Natal | About 700 runnersFinishers · 2025 | |
| Sanlam Cape Town Marathon | Cape Town | Western Cape | About 18,500Reported finishers · 2026 |
Race dates TBC (10)
- African Bank Soweto Marathon · Soweto, Johannesburg, Gauteng — TBC — awaiting confirmation
- Johannesburg City Marathon · Johannesburg, Gauteng — TBC — awaiting confirmation
- Cape Gate Vaal Marathon · Vereeniging, Gauteng — TBC — awaiting confirmation
- MiWay Wally Hayward Marathon · Centurion, Gauteng — TBC — awaiting confirmation
- Balwin Sport Pretoria Marathon · Pretoria, Gauteng — TBC — awaiting confirmation
- Sasol Secunda Marathon · Secunda, Mpumalanga — TBC — awaiting confirmation
- Rolando Hillcrest Marathon · Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal — TBC — awaiting confirmation
- Balwin Sport Dolphin Coast Marathon · Ballito to Durban, KwaZulu-Natal — TBC — awaiting confirmation
- Buffs (Buffalo) Marathon · East London, Eastern Cape — TBC — awaiting confirmation
- Balwin Run Series Peninsula Marathon · Cape Town to Simon’s Town, Western Cape — TBC — awaiting confirmation
Choosing a road marathon in South Africa
Choose your province, then read the profile
A Cape road race and an inland marathon can offer very different terrain. Compare the province, course profile and start-to-finish arrangements rather than treating every 42.195 km event as interchangeable. A net-downhill description still deserves a look at the full elevation profile. For point-to-point races, read the official transport instructions before deciding where to stay or leave a car.
Check licences, cut-offs and qualifying rules
The individual entry guides explain the published routes for licensed and unlicensed runners where those details are available. Check the edition’s temporary-licence requirements, age rules and cut-off times directly with the organiser. If the marathon is part of a plan to qualify for an ultra, check that ultra’s current qualifying window and accepted results too. This directory covers full road marathons; a famous longer race is still a different distance.
Browse by province
Find a race in your area, or compare the options for a trip. Routes may cross regional boundaries.
Eastern Cape
Gauteng
KwaZulu-Natal
Mpumalanga
Western Cape
Explore the races
Emgwenya (Waterval Boven) to Ngodwana, Mpumalanga
TRACN4 Elands Marathon
A point-to-point road marathon descending the Elands Valley from Emgwenya to the Sappi Skills Training Centre in Ngodwana, passing through the Waterval Boven tunnel.
Course: Predominantly downhill along the escarpment; check the current route profile before planning your pace.
Entry routes: Online entry · Organiser-approved substitutions
TRACN4 Elands Marathon guideGqeberha, Eastern Cape
NMB 1City Marathon
The 2026 road marathon starts and finishes at Baywest Mall in Greenbushes, Gqeberha.
Course: Check the organiser’s current course information for the detailed route and elevation profile.
Entry routes: Online entry through Webtickets
NMB 1City Marathon guideSoweto, Johannesburg, Gauteng
African Bank Soweto Marathon
The organiser’s route visits Soweto landmarks including Walter Sisulu Square, Regina Mundi Church, Vilakazi Street and the Hector Pieterson Memorial. The City confirmed that the established route was retained for 2025.
Course: Challenging urban marathon; consult the next edition’s route information for the final layout.
Entry routes: Online registration
African Bank Soweto Marathon guideJohannesburg, Gauteng
Johannesburg City Marathon
The 2026 race used Klipriviersberg Recreation Centre in Kibler Park. The Running Mann’s detailed 2024 account follows the road course along the R82 and M1, through Braamfontein and Parktown and over Nelson Mandela Bridge; consult the organiser for the next route.
Course: Hilly in the documented 2024 layout; a current elevation profile has not been published here.
Entry routes: Online registration · Organiser’s manual entries
Johannesburg City Marathon guideVereeniging, Gauteng
Cape Gate Vaal Marathon
Two laps through four Vereeniging suburbs, with a section beside the Vaal River. The start and finish are at Dick Fourie Stadium in Three Rivers.
Course: Flat, at Gauteng altitude; the organiser cautions that the course still requires sustained effort.
Entry routes: Online pre-entry · Official substitution
Cape Gate Vaal Marathon guideCenturion, Gauteng
MiWay Wally Hayward Marathon
A two-lap marathon in Centurion, with the start on West Avenue outside Centurion Rugby Club. The organiser supplies separate lap maps, a downloadable route and a March 2026 measurement certificate.
Course: Two-lap measured course; consult the official maps and route download for the layout.
Entry routes: Online registration · Official substitution
MiWay Wally Hayward Marathon guideBenoni, Gauteng
Johnson Crane Hire Marathon
Two laps on Benoni roads, with the 2026 start on Harpur Avenue beside Willowmoore Park. Refreshment tables serve both laps, with food provided on the second.
Course: Two-lap road course.
Entry routes: Online entry · Elite, contender and good-for-age application · International runners
Johnson Crane Hire Marathon guidePretoria, Gauteng
Balwin Sport Pretoria Marathon
A double lap from the Pretoria Boys High School Old Boys Club, climbing Fort Klapperkop, descending towards Fountains Circle and returning through Brooklyn and the school grounds.
Course: Hilly, with repeated climbing at altitude; the organiser describes a setting around 1,555 metres above sea level.
Entry routes: Direct online entry
Balwin Sport Pretoria Marathon guidePretoria, Gauteng
aQuellé Jacaranda City Challenge Marathon
Two laps through the Moot in Pretoria. The 2026 start and finish move to Rietondale High School, at the corner of 18th Avenue and Pierneef Street.
Course: The organiser describes the 2026 course as flat.
Entry routes: Online pre-entry · Paper entry at participating running shops
aQuellé Jacaranda City Challenge Marathon guideSecunda, Mpumalanga
Sasol Secunda Marathon
A two-lap road marathon starting and finishing at Sasol Secunda Recreation Club on Nelson Mandela Drive. The Running Mann’s 2026 guide describes the town course and publishes a route profile.
Course: Mostly flat with gentle undulations, according to The Running Mann’s 2026 course guide.
Entry routes: Online entry through Entry Ninja · Paper form through Sasol Marathon Club
Sasol Secunda Marathon guideDurban, KwaZulu-Natal
Durban City Marathon
Two laps through central Durban and the seafront. The organiser’s published 2024 route passes uShaka and returns to Kings Park; consult current race instructions for subsequent changes.
Course: Predominantly flat, two-lap coastal course.
Entry routes: Online entry · Late entry at registration
Durban City Marathon guideHillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal
Rolando Hillcrest Marathon
Two circuits through Hillcrest and Winston Park, starting at Hospital and Old Main roads and finishing at Hillcrest Villagers Athletics Club on Crooked Lane.
Course: Hilly two-lap course.
Entry routes: Advance online entry · Entry for runners aged 70 and over
Rolando Hillcrest Marathon guidePietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
Capital City Marathon
Starts at Pietermaritzburg City Hall and finishes at Msunduzi Athletics Stadium. Follow the current race instructions for the route between them.
Course: City course with separate start and finish venues; consult the organiser for the current elevation profile.
Entry routes: Online registration · In-store entry · Late entry at registration
Capital City Marathon guideBallito to Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Balwin Sport Dolphin Coast Marathon
The 2026 route started at Lifestyle Centre in Ballito and followed the M4 towards Durban, leaving near Durban Country Club for the promenade and Amphitheatre finish.
Course: Coastal point-to-point course.
Entry routes: Online entry through Peak Timing · Entry for runners aged 70 and over
Balwin Sport Dolphin Coast Marathon guideKaapsehoop to Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Kaapsehoop Marathon
The 42.2 km course starts at Kaapsehoop and finishes at Mbombela Stadium; the organiser provides compulsory transport to the start.
Course: Predominantly downhill, with uphill sections; pace the descents with the later climbs in mind.
Entry routes: South African, Lesotho and Eswatini entry · International entry · Substitutions and distance changes
Kaapsehoop Marathon guideEast London, Eastern Cape
Buffs (Buffalo) Marathon
A 42.2 km point-to-point road route from the N6 near Macleantown to the Buffs Club in East London.
Course: Net downhill with climbs: The Running Mann describes a start around 500 metres above sea level and a finish near the coast.
Entry routes: Online entry
Buffs (Buffalo) Marathon guideCape Town, Western Cape
Sanlam Cape Town Marathon
The published 2026 route links Green Point and Sea Point with central Cape Town and the southern suburbs, including Rondebosch and Newlands. Check the organiser’s route page for the final 2027 layout.
Course: Predominantly flat city running with changes of gradient; coastal sections are exposed to the weather.
Entry routes: 2027 general ballot — closed · Official international tour operators · Official charity places · Existing priority and sponsored allocations
Sanlam Cape Town Marathon guideCape Town to Simon’s Town, Western Cape
Balwin Run Series Peninsula Marathon
The established marathon starts on Main Road in Green Point and finishes at Simon’s Town Naval Sports Ground, following the peninsula and False Bay coastline.
Course: Predominantly flat point-to-point course, with start and finish well separated.
Entry routes: Direct online entry
Balwin Run Series Peninsula Marathon guideStellenbosch, Western Cape
Sportsmans Warehouse Winelands Marathon
The provisional 2026 full-marathon route starts and finishes at Coetzenburg Stadium in Stellenbosch. The organiser warns that small route changes remain possible; older fly-throughs describe the previous course.
Course: Undulating winelands course; the provisional 2026 map lists approximately 398 metres of climbing.
Entry routes: Direct online entry — 2026 sold out · Licensed and unlicensed runners
Sportsmans Warehouse Winelands Marathon guideOudtshoorn, Western Cape
Infantry School Cango Marathon
The established 42.195 km course runs from Cango Caves to the Military Base Infantry School sports ground in Oudtshoorn.
Course: Net downhill and point-to-point. The World Athletics course list records a descent of 7.20 metres per kilometre and start-to-finish separation over 50%.
Entry routes: Direct online pre-entry · Licensed and unlicensed runners
Infantry School Cango Marathon guideCommon questions
Which road marathons are included in this South Africa guide?
This AthRecs guide includes 20 road marathons in South Africa, including TRACN4 Elands Marathon, NMB 1City Marathon, African Bank Soweto Marathon, Johannesburg City Marathon, Cape Gate Vaal Marathon. Open a race guide for its course, entry options, dates and previous results.
When are the next road marathons in South Africa?
The next confirmed dates in this guide are aQuellé Jacaranda City Challenge Marathon on 24 Oct 2026; Kaapsehoop Marathon on 7 Nov 2026; Sportsmans Warehouse Winelands Marathon on 7 Nov 2026. All dates are local to the race.
How do I enter a road marathon in South Africa?
Open an individual race guide to compare its entry methods and eligibility rules. Follow the official entry links for registration windows, qualifying requirements, fees and available places.
How can I compare road marathon courses in South Africa?
Use the course summaries to compare terrain, surface and start-to-finish arrangements, then open the individual guide for official maps. A net-downhill course is not necessarily flat, and a road race may include paved paths or a track finish. Check the receiving event’s rules if you need a qualifying time.
Are the approximate fields the number of people who entered?
Each figure states its basis and year. Entrants, starters and finishers are different counts; a previous finishing field is a guide to scale, not an entry total or a guaranteed future field. Figures are approximate, and Unknown means a reliable estimate is not available. They are not multi-year averages unless explicitly described that way.
Where can I find past race and category results?
Each race guide links to the organiser’s results. Choose the correct distance and edition to find a runner or published category standings.