The Cape Town Marathon delivered a world-class spectacle, with Mohamed Esa of Ethiopia running the fastest time achieved on African soil( 2:04:55), but there’ s even more in store for the Mother City with entries now open for the newly launched Nelson Mandela Marathon.
On 18 October 2026, the inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon invites 20,000 runners and walkers to rise, remember and run through one of the world’ s most meaningful marathon routes.
Organised by Golazo in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the event is rooted in values and purpose, with all profits donated directly to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
The event will take runners on a 42km journey through the heart of Cape Town, starting in Strand Street before heading towards the Atlantic seaboard, sweeping back through the Foreshore, out towards Milnerton, and returning to finish on the historic Grand Parade. There will also be several other distance races on offer on the same day.
The route passes through spaces shaped by the history of slavery and South Africa ' s long walk to freedom, with Robben Island visible on the horizon, serving as a constant reminder of what the race represents. Final details of the route will be released towards the end of June.
This event was created to honour Mandela ' s unshakeable belief in the power of sport to change the world.
" Madiba always believed that sport has a unique and powerful ability to bring people together, inspire hope, and strengthen communities," Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said at the launch. " The inaugural Nelson
Mandela Marathon will do exactly that- celebrating athletic excellence and healthy living while creating opportunities for tourism, economic growth, and community connection. We are proud to support an event that honours his legacy and further enriches the Western Cape ' s vibrant sporting calendar."
Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation Mbongiseni Buthelezi added:“ This is about carrying forward the values Madiba stood for: dignity, unity, courage and justice. At a time when the world feels increasingly divided, even the smallest step can connect us to something greater than ourselves."
RACE DISTANCES
• Nelson Mandela Marathon – 42km
• Slave Route Challenge Half Marathon – 21km
• 10km Run & Walk
• 5km Run & Walk
ENTRY INFORMATION Event date: Sunday, 18 October 2026 Entries opened: 22 May 2026
South African licensed ASA Club runners( 42km / 21km / 10km):
• 42km( R700)
• 21km( R260)
• 10km Run( R190)
No license required:
• 10km Walk( R150)
• 5km Run / Walk( R80)
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