Running the Two Oceans Marathon? Make Sure You Rent a Car in Cape Town

Travelling from afar or simply catching a flight from Johannesburg or Durban? You’ll need to rent a car in Cape Town if you plan to take part in the 2024 Two Oceans Marathon.

The world’s most beautiful marathon consists of a 56 km Ultra Marathon and a 21 km half-marathon. Either way, you’ll need wheels to get around the Mother City. At Drive South Africa, we’ll help you rent a car in Cape Town with no fuss, so you can focus on hitting that personal best.

This year’s run will take place on 13 and 14 April. We’ve compiled some useful information about the 2024 Two Oceans Marathon. Read on to learn more about the event and why hiring a car will make navigating Cape Town a breeze.

What is the Two Oceans Marathon?

Runners pass along Chapmans Peak Drive during the Two Oceans Marathon

On the 2nd of May 1970, 26 runners set out on a training run through Cape Town, aiming to prepare for the Comrades Marathon. Little did they know that they had run the first-ever Two Oceans Marathon. More than 50 years later, it’s Africa’s biggest running event by economic impact.

It’s now a firm fixture of Cape Town’s Easter calendar. This year, organisers expect over 14,000 runners to take part in the Ultra Marathon event alone. They’ll be joined by thousands more for the half-marathon, with huge crowds cheering them all along the route.

Many runners agree that the Two Oceans is the most beautiful marathon in the world, and it’s not difficult to see why. The route takes you past Chapmans Peak, Constantia, Newlands, and False Bay hotspots like Muizenberg and Kalk Bay, showcasing Cape Town’s incredible natural beauty throughout.

Key Information

This year’s Two Oceans Marathon will take place on 13 and 14 April. Here’s what you need to know:

The 56 km Ultra Marathon will start at 05h10 on 13 April
The 21 km Half Marathon will start at 06h00 on 14 April
Both races start at the corner of Dean Street and Main Road in Newlands
Both races end at the UCT Rugby Fields
Refreshment stations will be placed along both routes
Physiotherapy and medical stations will be placed along both routes
If you don’t reach designated cut-off points within the required time, you will be asked to retire from the race

You can also find out about all City of Cape Town road closures here.

Is The Two Oceans Marathon Only for Serious Runners?

A fun run at the Two Oceans Marathon

No, not at all. The Ultra Marathon definitely attracts top competitors from around the world, but it’s still a family-oriented event.

In fact, there are several “fun runs” that cater to people of all ages and levels of fitness. These will take place on 12 April 2024, the day before the Ultra Marathon:

The 56 m Nappy Dash for babies
The 250 m Toddlers’ Trot
A 2.1 km fun run
A 5.6 km fun run

That’s a good enough reason to rent a family car in Cape Town when you make your way down to the Mother City!

Why Should You Rent a Car in Cape Town Ahead of The Race?

A colourful street in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, South Africa.

Chiappini Street in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town

Cape Town is one of South Africa’s tourism jewels. Not only is it blessed with mountains and the ocean, but it’s also a hub of arts, culture, and adventure. With so much to explore, it’s best to rent a car in Cape Town to get the most out of your visit.

Even if you’re just popping in to compete in the Two Oceans Marathon, you might want to squeeze some holiday activities in. Here are a couple of ideas to get you excited about your visit:

Plan a road trip around the Cape Peninsula
Explore floral biodiversity at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
Take a cable car up to the top of Table Mountain
Visit the Zeitz MOCAA and experience contemporary art

Plus, you’ll need some type of transport to get you to and from the race. If you’re travelling with a friend or partner, that’s even better. After all, it’s tough to do anything after running 56 km. With that in mind, how can you rent a car in Cape Town?

Rent Your Ideal Car With Drive South Africa

An example image for someone who wants to rent a car in Cape Town.

A rental car driving towards Devil’s Peak in Cape Town

At Drive South Africa, we offer you quick and easy car hire with the best prices. When it comes to renting a car in Cape Town, we have years of experience – just ask any of our satisfied customers.

We offer car rental services in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, and other major towns and cities in South Africa. We also have a comprehensive selection of vehicles ranging from budget-friendly hatchbacks to luxury SUVs.

If you’re planning to explore southern Africa’s more rugged areas, we also offer 4×4 rental in South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. Best of all, you can do everything through our easy to use website.

So, if you’re planning to run this year’s Two Oceans Marathon, rent a car in Cape Town with Drive South Africa. For our full range of car rental options, see here.

Image credits: Two Oceans Marathon, Jean van Wyk (Unsplash), Sincerely Media (Unsplash), Musa Dhlamini (Unsplash)