Choosing between Lagos City Marathon and Soweto 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 | Lagos City Marathon | Soweto Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Next race | Saturday, 13 February 2027 at 6:30 am | Sunday, 1 November 2026 at 6:00 am |
| Elevation | Very flat - approx. 11m above sea level. ↑ 50 m · ↓ 50 m · net 0 m | Rolling with gentle hills - approx. 1,767m above sea level. ↑ 150 m · ↓ 140 m · net +10 m |
| Typical weather | Hot and humid winter | Mild spring |
| Typical participants | Approximately 30k finishers | Approximately 35k finishers |
| Entry difficulty | Easy | Moderate |
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.
The Soweto Marathon is one of Africa's largest marathons, drawing about 35,000 finishers each November through Johannesburg's historic Soweto township. The course passes the Hector Pieterson Memorial, Vilakazi Street (home of Mandela and Tutu), and FNB Stadium. November summer weather and powerful historical symbolism make it South Africa's most significant mass-participation marathon.
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