Race date
Sunday, May 23, 2027Cape Town, South Africa · Marathon · 42.195 km
Start: Stadium on Fritz Sonnenberg Road or Beach Road in Mouille Point
Finish: Vlei Road
The 2027 race uses two starts. Your seeding will determine your assigned start; official start times will be announced before race day.
Entry status
2027 ballot closed; charity and tour entries open
The 2027 general ballot closed June 24, 2026. International Tour Operator and international charity places opened June 26 on a first-come, first-served basis. Taiwan runners should confirm remaining capacity, guaranteed entry, fundraising, and package terms directly with the provider.
Africa's first WMM Major combines Cape Town city, coastline, and Table Mountain scenery. The 2027 marathon uses two starts and finishes on Vlei Road.
2026 race recap
2026-05-24
Race report
The 2026 race completed its second WMM assessment. Finishers initially received a provisional Cape Town star, to be upgraded to an official star following confirmation of the race's admission.
- Overall Men
- Mohamed Esa (Ethiopia)2:04:55
- Overall Women
- Dera Dida Yami (Ethiopia)2:23:18
- Taiwan Men
- Jiunhung Chen3:02:15
- Taiwan Women
- Yueh-Ling Lin3:39:29
2027 entry
International Travel Program
from June 26, 2026 (SAST)
Status: Check official capacity
The official Taiwan list currently includes KNT Taiwan, Lertsiri, and Lion Travel. Confirm 2027 guaranteed entry, hotel or flight inclusions, payment terms, and cancellation rules directly.
International Charity Program
from June 26, 2026 (SAST)
Status: Check official capacity
International charity places are open to applicants outside South Africa. Each charity controls availability, fundraising minimums, payment responsibility, and review.
Notes for Taiwan runners
Race planning
- Cape Town becomes the eighth Major in 2027 and Africa's first. The Six Star Medal still covers only the original six races; there is no Seven Star or Eight Star Medal.
- Cape Town is six hours behind Taiwan. Allow substantial buffer for long-haul connections, baggage delays, and race-week adjustment.
- The official Taiwan tour-operator list currently includes KNT Taiwan, Lertsiri, and Lion Travel. Confirm that a package really includes guaranteed entry before paying.
- Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs currently places South Africa and Cape Town at Level 3 orange and advises avoiding non-essential travel. Recheck the advisory and register your trip before deciding to travel.
- Taiwan's consular guidance currently lists a South Africa visa process and advises at least six months of passport validity plus two blank pages. Confirm current rules before booking.
- From July 1, 2026, South Africa requires an online SARS traveller customs declaration before arrival and departure, with limited paper exceptions. Keep the confirmation; this does not replace a visa.
- At Cape Town airport, decline unsolicited rides. Use official ride-hailing or hotel transfer, verify the vehicle, and avoid walking alone with visible valuables.
Cutoffs
- The official FAQ lists a 6.5-hour marathon cutoff. Non-elite runners are timed mat to mat using net time.
- All 2027 entries are non-transferable. An eligible 2028 deferral window will be announced closer to race day; sponsored entries are excluded.
- Headphones and earphones are not permitted. Hydration packs are allowed, and the marathon does not require a South African temporary or permanent license.
Where to stay
Compare Cape Town Marathon hotels around the Green Point stadium and Mouille Point Beach Road starts, with a return plan from the Vlei Road finish.
Race-day English for Taiwan runners
A Traditional Chinese guide to the English you may need at the Expo, bag check, start corrals, aid stations and medical tents.
PaoBaoDao is an independent WMM race guide, not the official registration service. Entry availability, deadlines, charity and tour terms, qualifying standards, cutoffs and pickup rules may change. Check the organizer's current rules before applying, paying or booking travel.
Official links
Use these official pages to check entry requirements, race-week documents and travel arrangements.