Choosing between Cape Town Marathon and Paris 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 | Paris Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Next race | Sunday, 30 May 2027 at 6:30 am | Sunday, 4 April 2027 at 8:30 am |
| Elevation | Rolling with notable climbs - approx. 25m above sea level. ↑ 205 m · ↓ 203 m · net +2 m | Mostly flat with gentle undulations - approx. 42m above sea level. ↑ 164 m · ↓ 157 m · net +7 m |
| Typical weather | Mild autumn with coastal breezes | Cool to mild and humid spring |
| Typical participants | Approximately 11k finishers | Approximately 54k finishers |
| Entry difficulty | Easy | Moderate |
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 Paris Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 54k finishers on an urban road in Paris, France. The course starts on the Champs-Élysées near the Arc de Triomphe and finishes on Avenue Foch. The route passes Place de la Bastille, Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and the Bois de Vincennes. Mostly flat with gentle undulations; no major hills or cobblestone sections.
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