Lace up, runners, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is here! 

by Chumasande Matiwane

The wait is finally over! The energy in Cape Town is high as the 2026 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Expo officially opens its doors at the DHL Stadium in Green Point.

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Expo, which started today, marks the official start of race weekend and sets the tone for one of Africa’s most significant sporting events. 

The Expo is hosted inside the DHL Stadium, adjacent to the start and finish lines, for the race on Saturday. The Expo is where runners collect their race packs and where the broader marathon community comes together. 

This isn’t just a routine pitstop to grab a safety pin and a race bib; this is a high-octane celebration of pure African running spirit.  

Whether you are one of the 44,500+ athletes tackling the marathon, the Trail Runs, or the Peace Runs, or you’re a supporter ready to soak up the vibe, this is where your race weekend truly begins. 

Also see: Two Oceans Marathon – everything you need to know

The Expo hours

Lock these times into your calendar, because there are absolutely no race-day collections. Get down to the DHL Stadium during these windows to soak it all in: 

Thursday, 21 May: 09h00 – 19h00 

Friday, 22 May: 09h00 – 18h00 

Saturday, 23 May: 10h00 – 17h00 (Note: Saturday is strictly for Sunday’s marathon runners! Trail and Peace runners must collect before their Saturday morning races). 

Runner’s Pro-Tip: Have your official entry confirmation email or WhatsApp QR code open and ready on your phone for a seamless, lightning-fast registration. 

Cape Town is a buzz with the arrival of the Iconic Eliud Kipchoge, and more than 27,000 runners are expected to take part this race weekend. 

Road closures

Authorities have advised road users to plan their travel and expect delays across the affected parts of the city during the weekend of the event. 

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 

Also see: What causes marathon runners to burnout?

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