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Cairo Marathon

February 5, 2027 · 6:45 AMCairo, Egypt

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Race Day

57°F

50–68°F · Feels mild

Total elevation gain

115ft

Relatively flat course · Net elevation change +39 ft

Participants

5,000

Large field

Crowd Rating

5/ 10

Good crowd energy

The Lowdown

The Cairo Half Marathon builds on Egypt’s long-running road racing tradition and the popularity of the larger Cairo International Marathon, offering runners a chance to experience the ancient capital at a manageable distance. Launched in the 2010s as part of a push to promote mass-participation running in Cairo, the half marathon attracts a mix of local club runners, regional elites, and international visitors looking for a culturally rich race destination. The event emphasizes accessibility and community involvement, with grassroots outreach to schools and clubs and weekend expo activities that reflect Cairo’s energetic street life.

The course showcases some of Cairo’s most iconic urban scenery, following largely flat, fast roads along the Nile Corniche with sweeping river views, passing the Cairo Tower and the leafy island district of Zamalek, and routing through historic neighborhoods where runners glimpse bustling markets, Ottoman-era architecture, and modern city landmarks. Early-morning start times and typically mild winter temperatures create comfortable running conditions, while enthusiastic local crowds, drummers, and bands at cheer stations give the race a lively, celebratory atmosphere. The course is AIMS-certified and set up to meet World Athletics recognition standards for record eligibility, making it suitable for competitive runners seeking official times on a scenic, well-supported course.

Aug 10, 2026: 2026 edition (13th) completed Feb 6; 2027 date not yet officially announced
The 13th Cairo Marathon/Half Marathon was held 2026-02-06 (Q Developments was title partner). As of 2026-08-10, cairohalfmarathon.com still displays the 2026-cycle registration windows and pricing with no 2027 date, deadlines, or fees published. Based on the event's annual Friday-in-late-Jan-to-early-Mar cadence (2024-03-01, 2025-02-14, 2026-02-06 — trending earlier each year, converging near early February), the next edition is projected for early February 2027; treat as an estimate pending official confirmation.

Course Highlights: 01Nile Corniche – Scenic riverside roadway along the Nile where runners enjoy views of the river and Cairo skyline
02Cairo Tower – Iconic 187-meter tower on Gezira Island visible from the course and a major city landmark
03Tahrir Square – Historic central square near the Egyptian Museum that the route passes by
04Egyptian Museum – Home to ancient Egyptian artifacts in downtown Cairo, landmark near the race route
05Al-Azhar Park – Large landscaped park offering green views and partial shelter from city traffic along the course
06Citadel of Saladin (Salah El-Din Citadel) – Historic fortress on a hill overlooking Cairo seen from portions of the route
07Khan el-Khalili – Famous historic bazaar district near the downtown finish area where spectators often gather
Also on this race weekend: 5K · 10K
Time Limit: 6 hours

Minimum Age: 18 years
Entry Methods: Online Registration
Charity Entry
Corporate/Group Entry
Tour Operator Packages
Elite/Invitation Entry
On-site Registration (limited)
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old on race day
Participants aged 16–17 must provide written parental or legal guardian consent
All entrants must complete online registration and present a valid photo ID (national ID or passport) if requested at bib collection
Proof of emergency contact and medical information required at registration
Medical clearance or physician advice recommended for participants with known cardiovascular, respiratory or other chronic conditions; organisers reserve the right to refuse entry on medical grounds
No bicycles, rollerblades, scooters, animals or unauthorized wheeled devices permitted on the course
Runners must wear the official race bib in a visible location; bib transfers are prohibited
Participants should be able to complete the half marathon within the event cut-off time of 3 hours; runners slower than local marshal instructions may be moved to sidewalks or collected by sweep vehicles
Required Documents: QR code for kit collection
Cancellation & Refund Policy: Non-refundable except for government-declared cancellations/postponements
14% VAT not included in listed prices

01: The half marathon follows a mostly flat route along the Nile and through central Cairo, offering runners views of historic neighborhoods and landmarks such as the Cairo Tower and Tahrir Square.
02: Participants receive a technical race shirt and a finisher medal; post-race amenities include water, sports drinks, fruit, medical tents, and a small recovery zone with massage services.
03: Race weekend typically features an expo with local vendors and sponsors, a kids' fun run, and prize awards for overall and age-group top finishers.
04: Runners are advised to arrive early (start time 06:45), use public transport where possible, and expect aid stations approximately every 2.5–3 km along the course; temperatures in mid-February are usually cool in the morning but can warm by mid-morning.

Prepare for This Race

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