Nelson Mandela Marathon 2026: Cape Town road closures

Motorists can expect road closures and traffic disruptions across Cape Town from midnight on Sunday, 18 October, as the Nelson Mandela Marathon brings runners onto the city’s streets.

The event will feature four races: 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km, with staggered starts between 5:30 am and 8:30am. All four races will finish at the Grand Parade. According to the event organisers, road closures will be introduced in phases, affecting sections of the city centre and along the race routes. Motorists are advised to plan their journeys ahead of time and allow for possible delays. 

Road closures

Darling Street: Closed from Corporation Street to Buitenkant Street from midday Saturday, 17 October, reopening Monday, 19 October at 5 am.  

Strand Street: Closed from Adderley Street to Castle Street at midnight on Sunday, reopening at 10:30 am  the same day. 

Race-day Road closures

Darling Street, between Adderley and Corporation streets, will reopen at 2 pm. However, there will be no through traffic beyond Corporation Street until 5 am on Monday, 19 October.  

Lane restrictions and one-way working Plan ahead

Marine Drive will remain open for inbound traffic into the city, while Paarden Eiland, Sunset Beach and Woodbridge Island can be accessed via the N1. Beach Road will maintain one-way traffic through Sea Point and Mouille Point, with local access managed on site. Main Road will retain one traffic lane through Sea Point, while the city-bound carriageways of Adderley Street and Heerengracht will remain open for most of the morning. Residents within road-closure zones will be able to access their areas through designated points under marshal control.  

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