Choosing between Cape Town Marathon and Lagos City Marathon? This page puts the essentials side by side — next race date, elevation, typical weather, field size, and entry difficulty — with a short overview of each course below.
The headline differences between both races. Follow each marathon link for the full route map, elevation chart, and entry details.
| Detail | Cape Town Marathon | Lagos City Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Next race | Sunday, 30 May 2027 at 6:30 am | Saturday, 13 February 2027 at 6:30 am |
| Elevation | Rolling with notable climbs - approx. 25m above sea level. ↑ 205 m · ↓ 203 m · net +2 m | Very flat - approx. 11m above sea level. ↑ 50 m · ↓ 50 m · net 0 m |
| Typical weather | Mild autumn with coastal breezes | Hot and humid winter |
| Typical participants | Approximately 11k finishers | Approximately 30k finishers |
| Entry difficulty | Easy | Easy |
The Cape Town Marathon is Africa's first Abbott World Marathon Major, joining the series in 2027 as the eighth race. The scenic course starts and finishes at DHL Stadium with views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic coastline. With rolling terrain and around 205 metres of total climbing, it is the only AIMS Gold Label marathon on the continent and a landmark race for runners worldwide.
The Lagos City Marathon is West Africa's largest marathon, drawing approximately 30k starters each February through Nigeria's commercial capital. The out-and-back course links the National Theatre, Victoria Island, and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge with views across Lagos Lagoon. February's dry-season heat and flat terrain make it a bold early-year challenge in one of Africa's most energetic cities.
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