With the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon taking place on the weekend of Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, the City calls on residents and motorists to support a car-free route for a successful race.
The marathon, which is a candidate race for inclusion in the Abbott World Marathon Majors, will be assessed on its operational standards and overall participant experience as part of its bid to join the world’s most prestigious marathon series.
The Abbott World Marathon Majors currently includes events such as the Boston, Berlin, Chicago, London, New York City, and Tokyo marathons, as well as the recently added Sydney Marathon.
According to a statement by the City of Cape Town, a key requirement for Cape Town’s inclusion is the successful implementation of a fully car-free race route.
To support this, the Cape Town Marathon management, working with the City’s Events Coordination Committee, will implement no-parking restrictions and road closures along key sections of the marathon route in the lead up to race day.
Affected areas include the Atlantic Seaboard, CBD, District Six, Mowbray, Observatory, Salt River, Woodstock, Rondebosch, and Newlands.
These key routes will be affected from 8am on Friday May 22 until 3.30pm on Sunday, May 24:
- Beach Road: Between Fritz Sonnenberg and Portswood roads
- Beach Road: Between Mouille Point Lighthouse and Fritz Sonnenberg Road
- Portswood Road: Between Beach Road and Helen Suzman Boulevard
- Searle Street: Between Nelson Mandela Boulevard and Victoria Road
- Victoria Road (Main Road): Between Searle Street and Avenue Road/Salt River Road
- Victoria Road (Main Road): Between Avenue Road and Browning Road (inbound only)
- Victoria Road (Main Road): Between Browning Road and N2 (inbound only)
- Observatory Main Road: Between N2 and Rhodes Avenue (inbound only)
- Albert Road: Between Lower Main Road and Salt River Circle
- Darling Street: Between Castle Street and Plein Street
- Long Street: Between Riebeek Street and Orange Street
- Riebeek Street: Between Long Street and Buitengracht Street
- Somerset Road and Green Point Main Road: Between Buitengracht Street and Three Anchor Bay Road
- Beach Road: Between Three Anchor Bay Road and Queens Road Circle
The City’s mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, said that delivering a car-free route is critical to the marathon’s international assessment. “We are asking residents and visitors to partner with us by planning and avoiding parking along the route on race weekend,” he said.
Mr Smith said the City has been working closely with organisers to ensure a safe and efficient event. “The public has already shown its cooperation in 2024 and 2025, and we are hoping for the same this year, as it will play a key role in achieving the marathon objectives and showcasing Cape Town as a world-class host city,” he said.
The marathon organisers have planned alternative, secure parking in areas where residents rely on on-street parking.
A comprehensive list of road closures and no-parking zones is available here.
Affected residents can contact the Cape Town Marathon race office at comms@capetownmarathon.com for information on alternative parking accommodation.
If successful, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon will become the first Abbott World Marathon Major on the African continent.
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