Cape Town’s social and athletic calendars are gearing up for a historic shift. The Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD has officially announced its 2027 dates, and the big news this time around isn’t a change in schedule, but a massive win for inclusivity.
If you’ve ever tried to secure a spot in the “World’s Most Beautiful Marathon,” you know the heartbreak of the ballot system. Demand routinely outstrips supply, leaving thousands of local and international running enthusiasts stranded on the sidelines. But for 2027, organizers are shattering previous entry limits to welcome a record-breaking influx of participants.
Opening the Gates to Thousands More
The headline upgrade for 2027 is a spectacular increase in entry caps, making the iconic event more accessible than ever before. The highly coveted Half Marathon is expanding from 17,000 to 21,000 participants. Even more staggering is the growth of the flagship Ultra Marathon, which will leap from 14,000 to a matching 21,000 runners.
In total, this opens the door for 11,000 additional athletes to share in the magic of running between two oceans. By levelling the playing field so that both major race days carry an equal, massive field, the event is set to transform Cape Town into an unprecedented global running hub. For the city’s lifestyle and hospitality industry, this means an even more electric atmosphere reverberating through local hotels, restaurants, and cafes.
Preserving a Classic, Smooth Weekend
By keeping the traditional and highly successful weekend split—the Half Marathon taking center stage on Saturday, 3 April, and the legendary 56km Ultra Marathon serving as the grand finale on Sunday, 4 April—organizers can safely absorb these massive crowds.
While the race days remain the same as previous years, the equalized field sizes mean a more balanced, structured flow across the entire weekend. Runners can expect the same premium participant experience, maximum breathing room on the iconic coastal roads, and smooth logistical management at the beautiful University of Cape Town (UCT) campus, which remains the finish venue for 2027 and 2028.
A Full Five-Day Lifestyle Festival
The expanded capacity cements Two Oceans as a full-scale fitness and lifestyle festival rather than just a race weekend. The festivities kick off on Wednesday, 31 March, with a vibrant 8km Night Run, followed by the International Friendship Run on Thursday, and a scenic Trail Run on Friday. With more spots available, it’s the perfect excuse for friend groups, families, and social clubs to head down to the Mother City together.
Crucial Entry Dates Because more spots mean more excitement, the scramble for tickets starts remarkably soon:
- Blue Number Club (BNC) Entries: Open from 15 July to 22 July 2026.
- General Ballot Entries: Open on Wednesday, 5 August 2026.
- Night, Friendship, and Trail Runs: Open on Monday, 3 August 2026.
Dust off your running shoes, Cape Town—the beautiful game of running just invited 11,000 more people to the party.
