Photo: Dan Gold danielcgold · CC0 1.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTrail RunningUTMB Index Races
RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa
November 20, 2026 to November 22, 2026Date confirmed
163 km99.1 km56.7 km34.5 km+2
Nature & Off-RoadMountain+4
ZACountry Running Calendar
Running Calendar South Africa: Marathons, Trails & Endurance Events
26 verified events (17 confirmed dates) and 93 races in South Africa with course maps and elevation profiles.
Events2617 confirmed dates
Competitions93Races & courses
Distances5 - 1,130 kmCourse distance range
Max. Elevation Gain+11,890 m D+Course elevation profile
Regions, Cities & Sub-Destinations
Selected Events
Featured Events & Highlights
Photo: Dan Gold danielcgold · CC0 1.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Fukumoto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad Cycling
947 Ride Joburg
Johannesburg, South Africa
November 22, 2026Date confirmed
97 km
City RunMountain+2
Photo: BLMUtah · Public Domain · Wikimedia CommonsMountain Biking
The Munga
Bloemfontein NU, South Africa
November 25, 2026 to November 30, 2026Date confirmed
1130 km
Nature & Off-RoadMountain+4
Photo: Anass ERRIHANI · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad Running
Soweto Marathon
Johannesburg, South Africa
November 29, 2026Date confirmed
42.2 km21.1 km10 km
City RunCulture & History
Photo: Stefan Czapski · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad Cycling
Uci Cape Town Cycle Tour
Cape Town, South Africa
March 14, 2027Date confirmed
109 km
City RunSeaside & Coast+1
Photo: User:Zaian · Public Domain · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningTrail Running
Two Oceans Marathon
Cape Town, South Africa
April 3, 2027 to April 4, 2027Date confirmed
56 km24 km21.1 km16 km
Seaside & CoastNature & Off-Road+4
Photo: Anass ERRIHANI · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningTrail RunningWorld Marathon Majors Qualifier
Cape Town Marathon (Cape Marathon)
Cape Town, South Africa
May 22, 2027 to May 23, 2027Date confirmed
42.2 km41 km22 km11 km+2
City RunSeaside & Coast+7
Photo: Anass ERRIHANI · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningBoston Marathon Qualifier
Comrades Marathon
Durban, South Africa
June 13, 2027Date confirmed
89 km
Culture & HistoryNature & Off-Road+2
Dates & Schedule
Race Calendar
November 2026
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 20, 2026 - Nov 22, 2026 | RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town | Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA | Trail Running | 163 km99.1 km56.7 km34.5 km |
| Nov 22, 2026 | 947 Ride Joburg | Johannesburg, Gauteng, ZA | Road Cycling | 97 km |
| Nov 25, 2026 - Nov 30, 2026 | The Munga | Bloemfontein NU, Freistaat, ZA | Mountain Biking | 1130 km |
| Nov 29, 2026 | Soweto Marathon | Johannesburg, Gauteng, ZA | Road Running | 42.2 km21.1 km10 km |
March 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 14, 2027 | Uci Cape Town Cycle Tour | Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA | Road Cycling | 109 km |
April 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 3, 2027 - Apr 4, 2027 | Two Oceans Marathon | Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA | Road RunningTrail Running | 56 km24 km21.1 km16 km |
May 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2027 - May 23, 2027 | Cape Town Marathon (Cape Marathon) | Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA | Road RunningTrail Running | 42.2 km41 km22 km11 km |
June 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 13, 2027 | Comrades Marathon | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA | Road Running | 89 km |
Date to be announced
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date to be announced | Mountain Ultra-Trail by UTMB | George, Western Cape, ZA | Trail Running | 163 km98 km58 km44 km |
| Date to be announced | Ultra-Trail Drakensberg | Himeville, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA | Trail Running | 171.6 km110.1 km62.3 km32.3 km |
| Date to be announced | Mac Mac Ultra | Sabie, Mpumalanga, ZA | Trail Running | 308.8 km156.8 km80.4 km46 km |
| Date to be announced | Sani Stagger Marathon | Sani Pass, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA | Road RunningTrail Running | 42.2 km38 km21.1 km21 km |
Events by Month
Overview & Route Character
The running destination of South Africa in africa is represented in the RunningCompass catalog with 26 public events and 93 individual races, including 17 events with confirmed dates for the 2026-2027 season. Core disciplines include Trail Running, Road Running, and Road Cycling. Historic road ultras in KwaZulu-Natal alongside coastal and Table Mountain trails in Cape Town. Key host locations include Cape Town, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein NU, and Durban. Notable events in the selection include RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town, 947 Ride Joburg, and The Munga.
Race distances span from 5 km to 1,130 km, reaching up to +11,890 m of elevation gain on the most demanding courses. Every race listed for South Africa includes an interactive MapLibre course map powered by OpenStreetMap, a high-resolution SVG elevation profile with gradient telemetry, and a direct GPX track download.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How many running events and races take place in South Africa?
RunningCompass currently lists 26 verified events with 93 individual races in South Africa. A total of 17 events have confirmed upcoming dates, while additional annual editions include full course and distance specifications. Notable events in the selection include RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town, 947 Ride Joburg, and The Munga.
What disciplines and race distances are offered in South Africa?
Events in South Africa focus on Trail Running, Road Running, and Road Cycling. Course distances range from 5 km entry-level races up to 1,130 km endurance challenges. Primary host cities and towns include Cape Town, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein NU, and Durban.
What is the course profile, terrain, and elevation gain like in South Africa?
The most selective courses in South Africa climb up to +11,890 m of positive elevation gain. Each event page provides exact altitude range, ascent (+m), descent (-m), average and maximum gradient, an interactive course map, and a downloadable GPX file.
How can I find dates and register for running events in South Africa?
The monthly race calendar on this page groups all confirmed dates chronologically alongside annual events awaiting their next date announcement. Use the discipline, distance, and month links or switch to the interactive map view (/en/events?view=map) to inspect individual event profiles and official organizer registration links.
