Marathons in KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal is home to 3 marathons in our database in South Africa, spread across cities including Ballito, Durban, and Ulundi. Dolphin Coast Marathon is the largest race in the lineup, typically drawing around 4,000 finishers, while the full spread offers everything from fast urban courses to scenic regional events. Browse the races below for course maps, elevation profiles, typical weather, and practical race-day detail to help you choose your next start line. Plan by month on our marathon calendar or filter by country and region.

Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa🇿🇦

Dolphin Coast Marathon

The Dolphin Coast Marathon near Ballito on South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal north coast draws about 4,000 finishers each July along the Indian Ocean shoreline. The course passes salt-water pools, resort beaches, and the dolphin coast headlands with warm winter sunshine. July mild KZN north coast weather makes it a popular South African winter destination marathon.

Next race: Sunday, 27 June 2027

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa🇿🇦

Durban International Marathon

The Durban International Marathon attracts about 3,500 finishers each May in South Africa's warm Indian Ocean port city. The course follows the Golden Mile beachfront and passes Moses Mabhida Stadium and the Durban harbour. May subtropical weather and flat coastal terrain make it one of South Africa's most accessible city marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027

Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa🇿🇦

Elands Marathon

The Elands Marathon is one of South Africa's oldest and most traditional marathons, drawing about 2,500 runners each August on a rural point-to-point through KwaZulu-Natal's green hills. The course runs between Eshowe and Empangeni (or the reverse in alternating years) on country roads through Zululand. August winter dryness and rolling rural terrain make it a classic among South African club runners.

Next race: Saturday, 22 August 2026

Nearby Marathons

Other races closest to KwaZulu-Natal.

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa🇿🇦· 460 km away

Johannesburg Marathon

The Johannesburg Marathon draws approximately 9,500 finishers on an urban road in Johannesburg, South Africa. The course starts and finishes in the city centre. The route passes through northern suburbs and along major arterial roads at altitude (1,750 m). Mostly flat with gentle undulations; thin air is the main challenge.

Next race: Sunday, 28 March 2027

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa🇿🇦· 460 km away

Soweto Marathon

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.

Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa🇿🇦· 1,318 km awayWorld Marathon Major

Cape Town Marathon

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.

Next race: Sunday, 23 May 2027

Kigali, Kigali City, Rwanda🇷🇼· 3,037 km away

Kigali International Peace Marathon

The Kigali International Peace Marathon draws approximately 8,000 finishers each May through Rwanda's hilltop capital at roughly 1,500 m altitude. The course passes the Kigali Convention Centre, the Kigali Genocide Memorial approach, and the city's terraced hillside roads with views across the 'land of a thousand hills.' May's mild highland dry season makes it East Africa's most significant peace-themed marathon.

Next race: Sunday, 23 May 2027

Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya🇰🇪· 3,164 km away

Nairobi Marathon

The Nairobi Marathon attracts about 8,000 finishers each October at roughly 1,600 m altitude in Kenya's capital. The course passes the KICC tower, Uhuru Park, and the city centre on roads that have hosted some of East Africa's most competitive mass races. October mild highland weather and the altitude challenge make it a unique African capital marathon.

Next race: Sunday, 25 October 2026