South Africa Road Running Calendar 2026: The Ultimate Guide by Province & Distance

Published on BML Accounting & Tax | 2026 Running & Wellness Guide

Whether you are targeting your very first 5km fun run, taking on a fast 21.1km half marathon, qualifying for the Two Oceans Marathon, or pacing your long runs for the legendary Comrades Marathon, having a structured race schedule is essential for planning both your training and your year ahead.

🏆 National Flagship Endurance Events (2026 Highlights)

Two Oceans Marathon (56km Ultra & 21.1km Half): April 2026 — Cape Town, Western Cape
Comrades Marathon (89km Ultra): June 2026 — KwaZulu-Natal (Durban / Pietermaritzburg)
Sanlam Cape Town Marathon (42.2km): October 2026 — Cape Town, Western Cape
Soweto Marathon (42.2km, 21.1km, 10km): November 2026 — Soweto, Gauteng

1. Eastern Cape

Ultramarathons & Full Marathons (42.2km+)

NMB 1City Marathon 42.2km | 21.1km | 10km | 5km — December 2026 (Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth)
Mthatha Express Marathon 42.2km | 21.1km | 5km — July 2026 (Mthatha)

Half Marathons (21.1km) & 15km

First Choice Road Race 15km | 5km — January 2026 (Jeffreys Bay)
Overtakers SC Women's Day Race 21.1km | 10km | 5km — August 2026 (East London)
GBS Mutual Bank Mountain Drive Half 21.1km | 10km — August 2026 (Makhanda / Grahamstown)
Bay Run with Discovery Vitality 21.1km | 10km | 5km — October 2026 (Gqeberha)

10km & 5km Short Courses

NMB Choose to Challenge 10km | 5km — August 2026 (Baywest Mall, Gqeberha)
Doek on Fleek - She Moves SA 10km | 5km — August 2026 (Gqeberha)

2. Gauteng

Ultramarathons & Full Marathons (42.2km+)

Wonderpark Akasia Marathon 42.2km | 21.1km | 10km | 5km — January 2026 (Pretoria)
Johnson Crane Hire Marathon 42.2km | 21.1km | 10km — January 2026 (Benoni)
Dawn 2 Dusk Marathon 42.2km — August 2026 (Akasia, Pretoria North)
Joburg North City Marathon 42.2km | 21.1km | 10km | 5km — Early 2026 / Feb 2027 (Emmarentia)

Half Marathons (21.1km) & 32km

Springs Striders Road Race 32km | 15km | 5km — January 2026 (Springs)
Biogen Half Marathon 21.1km | 5km — January 2026 (Bedfordview)
Rockies Gerald Fox Memorial Race 21.1km | 10km | 5km — July 2026 (Johannesburg Zoo)
Randburg Harriers Challenge 21.1km | 10km | 5km — July 2026 (Randburg)
Old Eds Road Race 21.1km | 10km | 5km — August 2026 (Houghton)
Wanderers Road Race 21.1km | 10km | 5km — August 2026 (Illovo, JHB)

10km & 5km Short Courses

Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K 10km — August 2026 (Pretoria)
Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K 10km — September 2026 (Johannesburg)
Women’s Day Race @ Prison Break Market 10km | 5km — August 2026 (Midrand)
Thembisa Mile & 10km 10km | 1 Mile — October 2026 (Olifantsfontein)

3. Western Cape

Ultramarathons & Full Marathons (42.2km+)

Timbercity Red Hill Marathon 42.2km | 36km | 13km — January 2026 (Fish Hoek)
Pam Golding Hangklip Marathon 42.2km | 21.1km — October 2026 (Kleinmond)
Sportsmans Warehouse Winelands Marathon 42.2km | 21.1km — November 2026 (Stellenbosch)

Half Marathons (21.1km) & 30km

TOP FORM Bay to Bay 30km | 15km — January 2026 (Camps Bay)
HOKA Half Runfest 21.1km | 10km | 5km — January 2026 (Green Point)
Firgrove Challenge 21.1km | 10km | 5km — February 2026 (Constantia)
Langebaan Half-Marathon 21.1km | 10km | 5km — August 2026 (Langebaan)
John Korasie 30km Race 30km — August 2026 (Cape Town)

10km & 5km Short Courses

Century City Express 10km | 5km — February 2026 (Century City)
Elsies 10km Road Race 10km — August 2026 (Cape Town)
Totalsports Women's Race Cape Town 10km | 5km — August 2026 (Cape Town CBD)
Khayelitsha 10km & 5km Road Run 10km | 5km — September 2026 (Khayelitsha)

4. KwaZulu-Natal

Ultramarathons & Full Marathons (42.2km+)

Prince Mangosuthu Ultra Marathon 52km | 21.1km | 10km | 5km — August 2026 (Dundee)
Upper Highway Trail/Road Marathon 42.2km | 21.1km | 10km — December 2026 (Hillcrest)

Half Marathons (21.1km) & 25km

Checkstar Challenge 21.1km | 10km | 5km — May 2026 (Kings Park, Durban)
Stella Royal 25km | 10km | 5km — May 2026 (Glenwood, Durban)
Savages Challenge 21.1km | 10km | 5km — August 2026 (Durban)
Mathews Meyiwa Half Marathon 21.1km | 10km — August 2026 (Hammarsdale)

10km & 5km Short Courses

Totalsports Women's Race Durban 10km | 5km — August 2026 (Suncoast, Durban)
Peace in Africa Run 10km | 5km — May 2026 (Kings Park Stadium)

5. Mpumalanga, Limpopo & Free State

MMC 5-in-1 42.2km | 32km | 21.1km | 15km | 10km — January 2026 (Middelburg, Mpumalanga)
Great Train Race 24km | 11.5km | 4.9km — August 2026 (Middelburg, Mpumalanga)
Skukuza Half Marathon 21.1km — August 2026 (Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga)
eMalahleni City Marathon 42.2km | 21.1km | 10km | 5km — September 2026 (Witbank, Mpumalanga)
CTM Running Fest 21.1km | 10km | 5km — August 2026 (Bloemfontein, Free State)
Johannes Mosehla Challenge 32km | 15km | 5km — January 2026 (Polokwane, Limpopo)
Muteo Consulting Women's Day Race 21.1km | 10km | 5km — August 2026 (Polokwane, Limpopo)
Thavhani Mall 4-in-1 Marathon 42.2km | 21.1km | 10km | 5km — September 2026 (Thohoyandou, Limpopo)
The Meerkat Marathon 42.2km | 21.1km | 10km — January 2026 (Kimberley, Northern Cape)
School Bus Run 21.1km | 10km | 5km — August 2026 (Kimberley, Northern Cape)

💡 Key Tips for South African Runners

ASA Temporary Licenses: If you are not registered with an official Athletics South Africa (ASA) club, remember to budget for a temporary license fee for distances 10km and above.
Official Qualifying Windows: Ultra-marathons like the Comrades Marathon and Two Oceans require official qualifying times run at an ASA-sanctioned marathon during designated timing windows.
Tax & Wellness Perks: Participating in official races connected to corporate wellness schemes (such as Discovery Vitality) can earn valuable health points and rewards.

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