Two Oceans Marathon transport turns on one fact: the roads close very early. In 2026 both races started in Newlands and finished at the University of Cape Town, with closures beginning as early as 03:30 on ultra morning. A runner needs to be dropped near the start before the closures take hold, and supporters need a plan for reaching the finish at UCT while the southern suburbs are partly shut.
For 2027 the organisers list the event week as 31 March to 4 April, with the half marathon on 3 April and the 56 km ultra on 4 April, both at UCT.
Two Oceans Marathon 2027 dates
| Event | Date listed by the organisers |
|---|---|
| Event week | 31 March to 4 April 2027 |
| Half marathon | 3 April 2027 |
| Ultra marathon, 56 km | 4 April 2027 |
Check the official site closer to the time for start times and any changes. The order of the two races has varied between years, so do not assume it matches a previous visit.
Where the races start and finish
In 2026 both races started in Newlands and finished at UCT, on the upper campus. The ultra runs south along Main Road through the southern suburbs to the False Bay coast, turns towards Noordhoek, climbs over Chapman's Peak Drive, and comes back through Hout Bay and over Constantia Nek to the finish. The half marathon stays closer to the start, through the southern suburbs and Constantia.
For transport, that means two things. The start is in a residential area with limited space for drop-offs. The finish is on a university campus, and the roads around it are closed or slow while runners come in. In both cases the driver drops and collects at the nearest open point, and the last stretch is on foot.
From the V&A Waterfront to UCT is about 12 km, usually under 20 minutes outside peak traffic, although race morning closures make that figure meaningless until the roads reopen.
Road closures on race mornings
The closures differ in detail every year, so treat the 2026 pattern as a guide and check the official notices before the weekend.
- Ultra morning. Closures began as early as 03:30 in Newlands, Claremont and Wynberg, spreading along Main Road towards Fish Hoek as the race moved south. Chapman's Peak Drive was closed from 18:00 the evening before until midday. Ou Kaapse Weg ran under stop-go control in the early morning.
- Half marathon morning. Main Road between Newlands and Claremont was closed from early morning, with access to the M3 restricted on some roads. Union Avenue near UCT had closures and delays from 07:00 to 13:30 as runners approached the finish.
The practical effect is that the southern suburbs are difficult to drive through for most of the morning. The Chapman's Peak Drive guide covers the road's normal closures for weather and maintenance, which apply on other days of the visit.
Getting a runner to the start
Work backwards from the start time. A runner wants to be at the start with time to spare, and the roads around Newlands begin closing hours before the gun. A sensible plan collects the runner early enough to be dropped outside the closure area before it shuts, with a short walk in.
Tell the concierge the start time and the hotel, and the pickup is set to suit. The driver's name and direct number arrive the evening before, which matters at 03:00 when a phone call to a central line is the last thing a runner wants to make.
If several runners are staying at the same hotel, one vehicle can take them together. A Staria carries up to 8, and the vehicle has Wi-Fi and chilled water for the drive.
Supporters and the finish at UCT
Supporters usually want to see their runner once on the route and again at the finish. With Main Road and Chapman's Peak closed, driving to several points is unrealistic.
A workable plan picks one viewing point that can be reached before the closures, then moves to the finish area while the race is still running. The driver drops the group as close as the open roads allow, waits nearby, and collects them when they are ready. Because each vehicle has its own driver, a larger group of supporters can split, with some at a viewing point and others going straight to UCT. The guide to the Cape Town Cycle Tour uses the same approach for the other big peninsula event.
After the race
The runner who finished a 56 km ultra does not want to walk far or wait long. Agree a collection point near the finish before the day, and make sure the runner knows where it is. Bring a change of clothes and a towel in the vehicle.
Many runners fly home the day after. An airport transfer on the same booking means the return leg is already arranged, with the driver collecting from the hotel and dropping at departures. For a running club or a corporate team, a booking across the whole weekend, with one driver per vehicle, keeps the same driver and vehicle with the group. The guide to a private driver for several days explains how multi-day bookings work.
Common questions
Can the vehicle get to the finish line?
Plan on not. The roads around the finish are closed or congested during the race. The driver drops and collects at the nearest open point and the runner or supporters walk the last part.
What time should a runner be collected?
It depends on the start time and the hotel. Send both to the concierge, and the pickup is set so the runner is dropped before the nearby roads close.
Can supporters and runners travel separately on one booking?
Yes. Parties of nine or more travel in two vehicles, one driver each, quoted as one booking, and the vehicles can go to different places during the day.
Is a driver worth it if I am staying in Newlands?
If you can walk to the start and the finish, probably not on race day. A driver still helps with the airport runs and with supporters coming in from elsewhere in the city.
To get a quote, send the race you are running, your hotel, the number of runners and supporters, and any flight times. The concierge replies with a written quote, and the group transport page explains how larger groups are moved.