Cape Town Marathon 2026: Road closures, transport and race weekend guide
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, taking place on May 24, is one step closer to joining the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors
Image: Supplied
Several roads will be closed and restrictions implemented along the Cape Town Marathon route on May 24.
The route links Green Point, the CBD, Woodstock, Salt River, Observatory, the Southern Suburbs and Sea Point, with several roads in those areas being impacted for several hours on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24.
These cover some major traffic arteries including:
- Helen Suzman Boulevard
- Beach Road in Sea Point
- Beach Road in Mouille Point
- Granger Bay Boulevard
- Nelson Mandela Boulevard
- Somerset Road in Green Point
- Buitengracht Street
- Liesbeek Parkway in Observatory and Mowbray
- Darling Street
- Long Street
- Adderley Street
- Main Road between Woodstock, Observatory and Salt River
The City advised that parking restrictions will be implemented on several roads in the race footprint from Friday, May 22, to ensure a car-free route.
Key areas include Green Point, Sea Point, the CBD, District Six, Woodstock, Observatory, Salt River, Mowbray, Rondebosch and Newlands.
Residents and motorists are urged to adhere to the no-parking notices, as vehicles parked in the restricted areas will be towed.
Cape Town Marathon organisers have planned for alternative and secure parking in areas where residents rely on on-street parking.
Affected residents can contact the Cape Town Marathon race office at [email protected] for information on alternative parking arrangements.
Comprehensive information on road closures and parking restrictions are available here.
Transport and parking
Runners and spectators going to the start and finish in the Green Point Precinct for the peace runs, trail and marathon are reminded there will be little to no access to parking in the precinct.
The Cape Town Marathon has put together a transport plan that includes park and ride, MyCiTi shuttles, a special train service and a bicycle park.
On Saturday, May 23, the marathon will run a shuttle service from the V&A Waterfront, the CTICC, Civic Centre and Thibault Square MyCiTi stations to the start line outside DHL Stadium for athletes participating in the 5km and 10km peace runs, as well as the trail runs.
These will operate between 5:30am and 5:30pm.
A park and ride system, with a shuttle service and parking, will operate from Century City and UCT on Sunday, with the first buses leaving at 5:30am and the last bus to the start line departing at 6:30am.
The first return bus to Century City and UCT leaves at 11:00 from the MyCiTi Stadium Station, with the last bus departing at 5:30pm.
A free MyCiTi shuttle to the start line will operate from the Civic Centre, Thibault Square and CTICC between 5:30am until 6:45am on Sunday pre-race. The return bus will operate from 11am – 5:30pm post-race.
For more information on the transport options, visit the Cape Town Marathon website.
For those taking the MyCiTi shuttle from the Civic Centre station, the City of Cape Town will open its parking bays for Cape Town Marathon runners on Sunday.
The parking bays, accessible from Hertzog Boulevard incoming and on Civic Avenue, will be available on a first-come, first-served basis from 05:00.
The parking will remain open until 6pm on Sunday.
The marathon will also impact service on several MyCiTi routes, including in the inner city, Sea Point, Camp’s Bay, Hout Bay/Hangberg, through Woodstock and Salt River.
For more information on the MyCiTi service disruption, visit www.myciti.org.za.
Spectator cheer zones
The City is activating its vibrant hydration station and cheer zone outside City Hall to keep the energy high as runners pass through the city centre.
Members of the public are invited to gather at the 29.9km mark on the Grand Parade, in front of City Hall, to cheer on participants as they make their way towards the finish line.
A lively minstrel group, DJ and dancers will help lift the runners’ spirits and celebrate the occasion.
The festive atmosphere will not be limited to Darling Street and spectators are encouraged to line the route and be part of this historic event.
The Cape Town Marathon has compiled a list of the best spectator viewing points along the route:
- Start areas on Fritz Sonnenberg Road and Beach Road, Green Point
- 6,5km mark at the N2 off-ramp (near Searle Street, Woodstock)
- 15,3km mark at the Palmyra Junction Shopping Centre
- 17,2km mark outside Rondebosch Park on Campground Road
- 20km – 22km mark on Rondebosch Common
- 26,7km at the Salt River Circle
- 27km – 29km mark along Albert Road and Newmarket Street, Salt River
- 30,7km – 32,1km on Government Avenue, onto Orange and Long streets
- 34km – Green Point Main Road with KFM outside the Primedia building
- 36,3km – Sea Point Promenade
- 40km mark along Beach Road in Sea Point
- The Finish on Vlei Road in Green Point
For more information on this and other events in Cape Town, visit: www.eventsincapetown.com