Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 2026

Shamwari Game Reserve | Three-Night Package: May 25 – 28, 2026

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.

Please Note: All children must be 6 years or older to join parents on this extension, and must be supervised at all times. 

Itinerary:

Monday, May 25

Transfer from the hotel 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, Snacks and drinks will be served just before departing for your first game drive.  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, May 26 and Wednesday, May 27

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 their 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, May 28

After breakfast, the group will depart on their own from Port Elizabeth to their connecting flight home.  We recommend flying directly to Cape Town (CPT) or Johannesburg (JNB) so that you can connect with your international flight. Please note that your flight from Port Elizabeth to your connecting city is not included. (Breakfast included)

Optional Tour | Friday, May 22 or Saturday, May 23

Full-Day Cape Point & Peninsula Tour | $215​ per person

This is an awe-inspiring tour to the towering headland known as Cape Point. Magnificent beaches, breathtaking views, and picturesque coastal villages are to be seen along the way. The tour takes you along the Atlantic Seaboard to Hout Bay via Chapman’s Peak to Cape Point, Simon’s Town & the Boulders Beach Penguin Colony.  A stop for lunch is included with the tour.  (Lunch included)

Duration: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM (subject to change) Minimum of 25 Guests (if minimum is not met, pricing is subject to change) – Cape Point & Peninsula Tour​

Deluxe Cape Town Tour with visit to the Winelands | Five-Night Package: May 20 – 25, 2026

Features:

• Five (5) nights’ accommodation
• Daily breakfasts, except on arrival day
• Full-Day Cape Winelands Tour (Thursday, May 21)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Welcome cocktail reception (Wednesday, May 20)
• Race briefing
• Half-Day Sightseeing Tour with stop at Expo – Not included if on Friday Cape Point Tour
• Pre-Race Dinner
• Walk/transfer to race start
• Post-Race Beach Party
• Hosted on-site by Marathon Tours & Travel
• All tourism/VAT taxes & tour guide gratuities included
• Guaranteed Race Entry – Additional Cost ($415)

Please Note:

• Extra nights are available upon request

Not Included:

• Race Entry Fee:
  • Marathon – $415
• All activities listed as optional
• Incidentals
• Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
• Meals unless noted on the itinerary

Cape Town Prestige Package with visit to the Winelands | Five-Night Package: May 20 – 25, 2026

Features:  

• Five Nights’ accommodation at Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa 
• Breakfast daily (except arrival day) 
• Complimentary use of plunge pools and flotation tank in the Spa 
• Hotel credit (ZAR 1500) per person to spend in the hotel (High Tea, Spa, Restaurant etc.) 
• Meet & greet airport transfers (May 20) 
• Full-day Constantia & Kirstenbosch Winelands Tour (May 21) 
• Welcome cocktail party (May 21) 
• Half-day city tour with Expo stop (May 22) 
• Group dinner (May 22) 
• Pre-race dinner (May 23) 
• Private transfer to race start for runners & supporters – at later time (May 24) 
• Race day shuttle from race finish to hotel for runners & supporters (May 24) 
• Invite to MTT cheer zone for supporters on race day (May 24) 
• Celebration dinner & drinks (May 24) 
• Transfer to airport (May 25) 
• Hosted on-site by Marathon Tours & Travel
• All taxes & tour guide gratuities included
• Guaranteed race entry – Additional Cost ($415)

Please Note:

• Extra nights are available upon request

Not Included:

• Race Entry Fee:
  • Marathon – $415
• All activities listed as optional
• Incidentals
• Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
• Meals unless noted on the itinerary

Post-Race Extension to Shamwari Game Reserve | Three Night Package: May 25 – 28, 2026

• Three (3) nights’ accommodation at the Shamwari Game Reserve
• Transportation from hotel to the Cape Town International Airport
• Airfare from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth (Monday, May 25)
• Roundtrip transfers from Port Elizabeth to Shamwari Game Reserve
• Three (3) meals per day (tea, coffee and water)
• Two (2) game drives per day
• Local beverages on Game Drive
• Guided Walks
• Visits to Educational Centers
• All taxes and tips are included

Not Included:

• Airfare from Port Elizabeth to your connecting international flight on Thursday, May 28.
• Beverages unless noted on the itinerary
• Meals unless noted on the itinerary
• All activities listed as optional
• Incidentals
• Travel Insurance  (highly recommended)

Airfare:

Cape Town Package Only: Flights should be booked in and out of Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and should arrive on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 before 4:00 PM.

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 Wednesday, May 20, 2026, before 4:00 PM to ensure that you arrive in time for the Welcome Reception. Plan to depart from Port Elizabeth on Thursday, May 28, 2026, in the mid-afternoon to connect with your international flight home.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance for U.S. Residents

Travel Insurance for Canadian Residents

Rates (all prices are per person and in US dollars)

Additional nights upon request

Race Date: Sunday, May 24 2026 (Marathon)

Race Time: 

Marathon — Various 6:00AM
Elite wheelchairs — 6:10AM
Elite field 6:15AM — Batches will then go every 2 mins

Starting Times and Bib Numbers: Allocation of start times and bibs is by Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.  Closer to the event we will ask for your expected pace and other details to complete the registration process for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 2026. The organizers will allocate you a starting time and bib based on the information you provide.

Race Rules: All official race rules must be followed.

Course: The marathon course begins outside the iconic Cape Town Stadium 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, finishing back at the 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 – $415

Eligibility: In accordance with Athletics South Africa (ASA) Rules and Regulations, participants must meet the minimum age requirement for each event by the event date.

42.2km Marathon: 20 years

Time Limit & Cut-Offs: The course has a strict 6 hour 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. See the route map for details of all cut-off times

• 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, May 22: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Saturday, May 23: 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.