Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon
The Lowdown
The Two Oceans Marathon is one of the world's most scenic races, run around the Cape Peninsula in Cape Town, South Africa, over Easter weekend. The signature event is a 56 km ultramarathon (not a standard marathon distance), famous for its brutal climbs up Chapman's Peak Drive, Constantia Nek, and Southern Cross Drive, and for views of both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans along the way. A 21.1 km half marathon is run the day before the ultra, plus trail runs, a night run, and a friendship run during event week. Entry to the ultra requires a qualifying time (sub-5:00 marathon or equivalent) and runners are seeded into batches by qualifying time. The race finishes at the University of Cape Town Rugby Fields and is considered a bucket-list event for ultra and trail runners worldwide.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Challenging elevation
Participants
Field Size
Major marathon
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Legendary crowd support
Chapman's Peak Drive
Constantia Nek
Southern Cross Drive
Muizenberg
St James
Kalk Bay
Hout Bay
Noordhoek
Constantia
Newlands
University of Cape Town Rugby Fields (finish)
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
ZA
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Ultra Marathon: minimum age 20 on race day, qualifying marathon time of sub 5:00 or equivalent longer-distance result
- Half Marathon: minimum age 16 on race day
Required Documents
- Photo ID
- Qualifying race result (for Ultra Marathon batch seeding)
Entry Methods
- Online ballot/draw system via official entries portal
- Blue Number Club priority window
- TOMI (tour operator/international) allocation
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Review the official Two Oceans Marathon rules and regulations before entering
Held over Easter weekend; 2027 edition runs 31 March - 4 April 2027 with Half Marathon on 3 April and Ultra Marathon on 4 April
Ultra Marathon runners start in seeded batches from Newlands Main Road beginning at 06:00
Ultra field capacity increased to 21,000 for 2027 (from 14,000); Half Marathon capacity increased to 21,000 (from 17,000)
Approximately 19 hydration stations on the ultra course
Widely regarded as one of the world's most beautiful marathons/ultramarathons for its coastal and mountain scenery
Distinct event from the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon
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Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
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