- Race day
- Sunday, May 23, 2027
- How to enter
- Multiple options, including ballot
- Ballot
- June 10 → June 24, 2026, closed
- Results announced
- June 26, 2026
- Entry fee
- R5 non-refundable ballot fee; entry fee not published for 2027
- Your odds
- Low; figures not published
Dates marked ~ are projected from the last confirmed cycle. Always verify on the official race website.
The race
Your odds
Unknown, Cape Town hasn't published application numbers or acceptance rates. Two-thirds of all entries are reserved for African runners, so international applicants compete for roughly a third of the field.
How to enter
4 ways in
- Public ballotOpen to anyone, though two-thirds of places are held for African runners. Closed for 2027
- Candidacy ClubGuaranteed entry for runners who completed the 2022 to 2024 editions. Claimed June 2026
- Charity entry23 official partners, with minimums from roughly $2,000. Varies
- Official tour operatorGuaranteed entry bundled with travel, first come first served. Rolling
Cape Town was approved as the 8th World Marathon Major on June 10, 2026, the first in Africa. The 2027 race is its first edition with Major status, and the ballot opened the same day the announcement landed and closed two weeks later.
Public ballot
Anyone can enter: no qualifying time required. The 2027 ballot ran June 10 to 24, 2026 and results went out June 26, the same day successful applicants were charged. It is closed. Cape Town has not published application numbers, and two-thirds of all entries are reserved for African runners, so international applicants compete for roughly a third of the field.
Candidacy Club
Runners who finished the 2022, 2023 or 2024 editions hold a standing claim to a place. For 2027 that window ran June 10 to 18, 2026, ahead of the public ballot. The benefit still applies to later editions for anyone who has not used it.
Charity entry
Cape Town works with 23 official charity partners, each setting its own fundraising minimum, from roughly $2,000 to $5,000 and up. Deadlines are set by the charity rather than the race, so they run on their own calendars.
Official tour operator
Official international tour operators hold guaranteed places sold with travel. Unlike a ballot these are typically first come, first served rather than a draw, so they reward booking early rather than luck.
When the next ballot opens
No 2028 ballot announced yet. The 2027 window ran just two weeks, so expect little warning.
If you're in, when does training start?
Results for this cycle went out June 26, 2026.
Race day is Sunday, May 23, 2027. An 18-week build puts your start date at Sunday, January 17, 2027.
Common questions
When is the Cape Town Marathon 2027?
Sunday, May 23, 2027, its first edition carrying World Marathon Major status.
Has the 2027 Cape Town ballot closed?
Yes. It ran June 10 to June 24, 2026, closing at 7:00 PM SAST, with results on June 26, 2026.
How much does the Cape Town Marathon cost?
Applying to the ballot costs a non-refundable R5, donated to a Cape Town Marathon linked charity. The entry fee itself is tiered by residence but Cape Town has not published 2027 pricing.
Is it harder to get in as an international runner?
Two-thirds of all entries are reserved for African runners, so international applicants compete for roughly a third of the field. Cape Town has not published application numbers or acceptance rates.
