Johannesburg City Marathon
The Lowdown
The Johannesburg City Marathon, organized by Johannesburg Harriers Athletics Club and formerly known as the Jackie Gibson Marathon, starts and finishes at the Klipriviersberg Recreation Centre in Kibler Park, Johannesburg. Runners can choose between the 42.2km marathon, a 21.1km half marathon, or a 10km race, all starting at 06:00 (10km at 07:00). The 42.2km distance is an official Comrades Marathon qualifier, making it a key fixture on the Gauteng calendar for runners chasing a spot on the Comrades start line, while the half marathon and 10km suit recreational runners and first-time marathoners building toward longer distances. The course runs through Kibler Park and the surrounding Johannesburg suburbs, offering a scenic but challenging route with meaningful elevation gain typical of the Highveld. All finishers within the 12:00 cutoff (26km cutoff at 09:30 for marathon runners) receive a medal, and walkers are welcome on the half marathon and 10km but not the full marathon. The 2026 edition took place on March 22, 2026; the next edition's date has not yet been announced.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Medium-sized race
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Moderate spectator support
Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
Kibler Park
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
ZA
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Minimum age 16 for the marathon and half marathon
- Walkers permitted on the half marathon and 10km only; the full marathon is runners only
Required Documents
- Valid ASA or affiliated athletics club licence, or a day licence purchased on race day
Entry Methods
- Online entry via Onreg
- Manual entry on race day where available, subject to a R25 surcharge
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Entry fees are non-refundable
The 42.2km marathon distance is an official Comrades Marathon qualifying race
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
Learn from fellow runners and share insights that will help the next person toe the line.

