Cape Town Marathon

Cape Town Marathon 2026 Course Analysis

Cape Town Marathon is a full marathon held in Cape Town, South Africa, scheduled for Sunday 24 May 2026. The course is run on road surface with 283m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 42m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Cape Town Marathon website.

Elevation Profile

With 283m of elevation gain, this is a moderately undulating course. The route ranges from 1m to 42m above sea level (41m total range). While not completely flat, the elevation changes are manageable for most runners and shouldn't significantly impact pacing strategy.

Expected Race Day Weather

Based on historical weather data for May, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Moderate temperatures between 16°C and 19°C are expected. While comfortable for most runners, those targeting fast times should pay attention to hydration, as these temperatures can impact performance over the full distance. There is a low chance of rain (0%), so dry conditions are likely.

Surface Type: Road

Cape Town Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for marathon running. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for runners targeting a personal best time.

How Difficult Is Cape Town Marathon?

Our difficulty rating for Cape Town Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.

Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Cape Town Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.