Cape Town Marathon 2025
Cape Town’s history is long and storied. It is a city with unrivalled culture and diversity, boasting a heady mix of old and new. Nothing speaks to this more than the iconic attractions made up of Cape Point, City Walk, Groot Constantia, Kirstenbosch, Robben Island Museum, Table Mountain Cableway and V&A Waterfront, that form the core of the Mother City.
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has a vision of becoming one of the rare Abbott World Marathon Majors as it believes that it is the ideal host for an iconic African city marathon. The marathon organizers mission is to deliver a prestigious, sustainable, all-inclusive city marathon event that brings together world runners from elite athletes to wheelchair racers, as well as social and first-time runners, for an exceptional, world-class marathon experience. It is the only AIMS gold label marathon in Africa.
Choose from a range of full day options: Tour of the winelands of Stellenbosch, the Drakenstein Mountains and Paarl; Tour the spectacular coast on your way to the Cape of Good Hope at the tip of Africa; or cage dive with great white sharks. A trip to South Africa would not be complete without a visit to a safari lodge to game view, dine and relax after your races.
The Cape Town Marathon is an AbbottWMM Marathon Tours & Travel World Age Group Qualifying Race.
Meals Included
Daily breakfasts included and dinner on Saturday
Guide
Guidance & support from our team
Trip Extension
Trip extension available upon request
Accommodation
4-nights in a deluxe waterfront hotel, extra nights available
Entry
Guaranteed Sanlam Cape Town Marathon event entries available
Celebration Party
Post-race celebration included
Excursions
Half day sightseeing tour included in 5 night package
A Helping Hand
Hosted on-site by Marathon Tours & Travel
Worldwide Events
Abbott World Marathon Major Candidate
Travel Package Information
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Itinerary
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Thursday, October 17 - Arrival Day
Arrive at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and transfer on your own by taxi to the deluxe Radisson Blu Hotel just blocks from the Victoria & Albert Waterfront for your four night stay. Meet your fellow travelers at the Marathon Tours & Travel hosted Welcome Reception and Briefing. Following you can enjoy dinner at one of the many fine restaurants or bistros along the famous Waterfront.
Friday, October 18
After breakfast, we will depart for a half-day sightseeing tour of this beautiful city including all the ‘must-sees” of Cape Town, which is a geographical and cultural extravaganza. You will see Cape Town, from its historical beginnings to the dazzling modern shopping malls. You’ll also enjoy a cable car ride to Table Mountain where you will be able to get a 360 degree view of Cape Town, Table Bay and the nearby peaks of the surrounding mountains. A stop at the expo to pick up your race kits will be included in the tour. The rest of the day you will have on your own to explore Cape Town. (Breakfast included)
Saturday, October 19
Enjoy a free day to explore Cape Town on your own or consider joining us for Full-Day Cape Point & Peninsula Tour. You can also opt to participate in the challenging 46K or 22K Trail Run or the 10K or 5K Peace Run. In the evening, Marathon Tours & Travel will host a pre-race dinner at the hotel overlooking Cape Town Harbor. (Breakfast and dinner included)
Monday 21 October 2024 - Departure Day
Unless you have booked extra nights with us or the extension to Shamwari, then we will bid you farewell today. It’s not goodbye but instead we’ll see you next time as we hope you will join us for another Marathon Tours & Travel trip.
For those joining the post-race extension to Shamwari Game Reserve we will have a morning transfer to the Cape Town Airport.
(Breakfast included)
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Wednesday, October 16
Arrive at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and transfer on your own by taxi to the deluxe Radisson Blu Hotel just blocks from the Victoria & Albert Waterfront. Upon arrival you will have the day on your own to acclimate to the city.
Thursday, October 17 - Winelands Day Tour & Welcome Reception
Today we will head to the heart of the Cape Winelands, through superb mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads. Taking Helshoogte Pass into the Drakenstein Mountains, we visit Tokara Wine Estate at the summit of the pass with breathtaking views below. Enjoy tasting their Premium Reserve Collection before dinning at the restaurant for lunch where Chef Carolize Coetzee prepares a delicious treasure trove of contemporary cuisine inspired by the local countryside and farm produce. We continue our journey into the Drakenstein Valley and the Paarl Wine Route to stop at Fairview Wine Estate for a cheese and wine pairing and time to shop at the Deli.
When we arrive back you will enjoy a meet and greet with your fellow travelers at Marathon Tours & Travel’s hosted Welcome Reception and Race Briefing. Following you can enjoy dinner at one of the many fine restaurants or bistros along the famous Waterfront. (Breakfast and lunch included)
Friday, October 18 - Half Day Tour & Expo
After breakfast, we will depart for a half-day sightseeing tour of this beautiful city including all the ‘must-sees” of Cape Town, which is a geographical and cultural extravaganza. You will see Cape Town, from its historical beginnings to the dazzling modern shopping malls. You’ll also enjoy a cable car ride to Table Mountain where you will be able to get a 360 degree view of Cape Town, Table Bay and the nearby peaks of the surrounding mountains. A stop at the expo to pick up your race kits will be included in the tour. The rest of the day you will have on your own to explore Cape Town. (Breakfast included)
Saturday, October 19
Enjoy a free day to explore Cape Town on your own or consider joining us for Full-Day Cape Point & Peninsula Tour. You can also opt to participate in the challenging 46K or 22K Trail Run or the 10K or 5K Peace Run. In the evening, Marathon Tours & Travel will host a pre-race dinner at the hotel overlooking Cape Town Harbor. (Breakfast and dinner included)
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Extensions
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Shamwari, meaning “my friend” in Shona, is the pinnacle of private game reserves and home to the coveted Big 5, stretching 25,000 hectares over a malaria-free landscape, it offers an award-winning nature experience along with the largest concentration of wildlife in Southern and Eastern Cape.
Post-Race Extension to Shamwari Game Reserve | 21 – 24 October, 2024
- Three nights’ accommodation at the Shamwari Game Reserve
- Transportation from the Radisson Blu Waterfront to the Cape Town International Airport
- Airfare from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth (Monday 21 October)
- Roundtrip transfers from Port Elizabeth to Shamwari Game Reserve
- Three meals per day (tea, coffee and water)
- Two game drives per day
- Local beverages on Game Drive
- Guided Walks
- Visits to Educational Centers
- All taxes and tips are included
Note:
Cape Town and Shamwari Extension: Flights should be booked into Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and back from Port Elizabeth (PLZ). You should plan to arrive on Thursday October 17 2024 before 16:00PM to ensure that you arrive in time for the Welcome Reception. Plan to depart from Port Elizabeth on Thursday October 24 2024 in the mid-afternoon to connect with your international flight home.
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Monday 21 October, 2024
Transfer from the Radisson Blu to Cape Town International Airport for the one-hour and twenty minute flight to Port Elizabeth. Upon arrival you will be transferred to Shamwari Game Reserve for lunch. Snacks and drinks will be served just before departing for your first game drive (approx. 4:00 PM). In four-wheel Land Rovers you will explore the expansive 55,000 acre reserve in search of lions, elephants, rhinos, cheetahs, giraffe, eland, buffalo and much more wildlife roaming through the hills and valleys.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Tuesday 22 & Wednesday 23 October, 2024
Today is an early morning wake-up (6:00 AM) with coffee available before departing for your morning game drive. This is a great time to view many animals visiting the water holes and/or predators hunting for its day food. We will return around 9:00 AM for breakfast and spend the balance of the day relaxing by the pool, going on game walks, and/or enjoying one of the many spa treatments available. We will head out for our last game drive at 4:00 PM and return for our Closing Reception and Dinner.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Thursday 24 October, 2024
After breakfast, the group will depart on their own from Port Elizabeth to their connecting flight home. We recommend flying directly to Johannesburg (JNB) so that you can connect with your international flight home. Please note that your flight from Port Elizabeth to your connecting city is not included.
(Breakfast included)
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Packages & Rates
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2025 Rates Coming Soon
We are pleased to offer you guaranteed entry for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 2025 events. You can buy the entry from Marathon Tours & Travel if you also buy the accommodation package from us.
Marathon Tours & Travel Cape Town Marathon Package includes:
- Stay at Radisson Blu Waterfront for 4 or more nights
- Daily breakfasts, except on arrival day
- Complimentary WiFi
- Full Day Cape Winelands Tour (Thursday) Please note: this only applies to the 5 nights package
- Welcome Cocktail Reception (Thursday)
- Half Day Sightseeing Tour including admission ticket to Table Mountain Cable Car and stop at Expo (Friday)
- Pre-race dinner (Saturday)
- Post-race celebration (Sunday)
- Guidance and support from the Marathon Tours & Travel team in Cape Town
Travelling with children or Extra nights?
Contact us for a quote.
Room Policy
Marathon Tours & Travel’s policy is that anyone staying in our room block must be part of our package. If you plan to bring a spouse or guest, they must purchase our package. For example, if there are two of you, the rate would be the double occupancy rate (per person). If you purchase a single occupancy rate package, then only you are allowed in your room. To attend any of our activities, you must be part of our package.
Note:
Cape Town Package Only: Flights should be booked in and out of Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and should arrive on Thursday October 16 2025 before 16:00.
Cape Town and Shamwari Extension: Flights should be booked into Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and back from Port Elizabeth (PLZ). You should plan to arrive on Thursday October 16 2025 before 16:00 to ensure that you arrive in time for the Welcome Reception. Plan to depart from Port Elizabeth on Thursday October 24 2024 in the mid-afternoon to connect with your international flight home.
Refer to Extensions Section for details of our 3 nights post-race extension package to Shamwari.
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Hotels
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Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel
Take in the beautiful waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the private marina at the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront in Cape Town. This seaside hotel is in the city center and is near all the big cultural offerings. The striking ocean views set the stage for a memorable stay in Cape Town. Wake to the sound of gentle waves breaking in the background.
The hotel is located within a mile of the start and finish line of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon!
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Event Information
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- Race Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025Race Time: 6:30 AM
Course: The course begins at Beach Road and runs along a spectacular route where you will take in the famous natural beauty of Cape Town’s mountains and sea, as well as many of the city’s great attractions and will finish at Cape Town Stadium. The course is ideal for athletes who aim to achieve fast times and for first-timers who want to finish their inaugural marathon.
Temperature: Average temperatures are between 17 – 20 degrees Celsius (62 to 68 Fahrenheit)
Entry Fee:
- Marathon – $TBC
- 46K Trail – $TBC
- 22K Trail – $TBC
- 10K Peace Run – $TBC
- 5K Peace Run – $TBC
Eligibility: Marathon entrants must be 20 years of age and over
Time Limit & Cut-Offs: The course has a strict 6 hours and 30 minutes time limit. The timing is based on gun to gun. Due to IAAF requirements the race organizers will be strictly enforcing cut-off times in certain locations. There will be pick up buses for all athletes that do not make the cut-off times at the following points. Roving pick-ups will also take place.
- Marathon – Cut-Off Points (subject to change)
- 8:15 AM – at 10.1km (Center Helen Suzman and Buitengracht Street)
- 9:40 AM – at 18.7km (Water Station 6)
- 11:10 AM – at 29km (Water Station 10)
- 12:20 PM – at 35.9km (Water Station 13)
- 12:48 PM – at 38.5km (Water Station 14)
- At Finish Line: 6h30m
Number Pickup: Time will be organized for the group to stop at the expo to pick up your race number during the city tour. The expo is located at the Century City Conference Centre.
- Friday, October 17: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday, October 18: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Awards: Everyone who finishes the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon will receive a medal, ASICS Shirt and goodie bag
Difficulty: Moderate. Fairly flat course with a couple of long hills.
- Race Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025Race Time: 6:30 AM
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