Major road closures for Nelson Mandela Marathon in Cape Town

As excitement builds for the annual Nelson Mandela Marathon on Sunday, 18 October 2026, motorists, residents, and visitors in central Cape Town are urged to plan for significant temporary road closures, Cape {town} Etc reports.

Four thrilling road races will commence at various times between 05h30 and 08h30, culminating in a vibrant finish at the iconic Grand Parade.

To accommodate the safe passage of thousands of enthusiastic runners, staged road closures will begin at midnight on the day preceding the event.

These closures are set to affect various sections of the city centre along the race routes. As runners clear each section, roads will progressively reopen throughout the morning, although precise reopening times will depend on both the races’ progress and official safety confirmations.

Authorities recommend that all motorists familiarise themselves with the affected roads and their respective closure times to avoid unnecessary delays. They should also consider allowing additional travel time and diverting via alternative routes where possible.

The times of closure will be prominently displayed on information boards along the affected routes, ensuring clear communication for all road users.

Details of road closures leading up to and on race day

Key road closures and restrictions include:

• Darling Street:

  Closed from Corporation Street to Buitenkant Street from midday Saturday, 17 October, reopening Monday, 19 October at 05h00.

• Strand Street:

  Closed from Adderley Street to Castle Street at midnight on Sunday, reopening at 10h30 the same day.

Race-day road closures

Motorists should also note the specific road closures in various areas around the city on race day:

• Bo-Kaap:

  Chiappini St closed 04h30 – 11h30; Yusuf Dr closed 06h00 – 11h30.

• City Bowl:

  Buiten St closed 04h30 – 11h00; Dorp St closed 04h30 – 11h30.

• District Six:

  Multiple roads including Chapel St, Constitution St, and Russell St closed 04h30 – 10h30.

• Green Point:

  Somerset Rd closed 04h30 – 13h30; Fritz Sonnenberg Rd closed 05h00 – 13h00.

• Sea Point:

  Several roads affected including Beach Rd and Main Rd with closures between 05h00 – 12h00.

• Foreshore:

  Various restrictions including Adderley St and FW de Klerk Blvd between 05h30 – 13h30.

• City centre:

  Darling St closes at 06h00 and reopens only partially by 14h00.

As a reminder, local access will be maintained in some areas, and motorists are encouraged to heed the directives of marshals throughout the day. Residents living within the closed zones can expect limited access, managed by marshals to ensure safety for all.

For those planning to travel into the city, the authorities recommend waiting until after lunch to avoid the worst of the disruptions.

Authorities urge everyone to steer clear of the city centre, Atlantic Seaboard, and Paarden Eiland on Sunday morning and plan to return after lunch when the majority of road restrictions will be lifted.

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Picture: Gallo Images / ER Lombard

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