Knysna Forest Marathon - 41st Edition

The race offers several unique highlights found in no other race anywhere in the world. Much of the run takes place deep in the forest with a breath-taking view over the Knysna lagoon into The Heads, for inspiration towards the finish. One race tip is to start slow.

Although no one taking part has ever seen the elusive Knysna elephants, little piles of dung sometimes seen on the route are a reminder that they do inhabit the forest, somewhere. Keeping this pristine environment in mind and the potential impact of the race on it, all runners share rides into the forest provided by local taxis to the race start in a clearing in the forest, where runners arriving early are also treated to hot drinks and snacks next to warming fires.

Race Information:

• Race Date: 04 July 2026.
• Registration: Compulsory, on 03 July 2026 from 10:00 to 22:00.
• Entries: Only online at www.knysnaforestmarathon.co.za. No postal, fax, or phone entries accepted. No entries sold at registration or on race day.
• Entry Limits: 1,250 for the full marathon, 6,500 for the half marathon.
• Entry Costs: Half Marathon – R290, Full Marathon – R340.
• T-Shirts:             Long Sleeve R280

Short Sleeve R 240

To be collected in person. No shirts will be kept or distributed after the event.

ENTRY TYPES:

• Charity Entries: Available from 1 Dec 2025. Half Marathon: R790, Full Marathon: R840, includes a special gift.
• Loyalty Entries: Open 12 Jan 2026 for 2025 participants.
• General Entries: Open 26 Jan 2026, close 24 May 2026 or when sold out.

PAYMENT:

• Options: Card or EFT via the online portal. Follow payment instructions carefully.
• Deadline: Pay within 24 hours, or the entry will lapse.
• Temporary License: R50 for non-ASA registered runners.

CONFIRMATION:

• Entry confirmation will be emailed after payment.
• Race number confirmation will be sent mid-June via email/sms.

RACE CHARITIES

Supported charities: 

• NSRI
• KNYSNA CHILD WELFARE
• KNYSNA “DIE WERKS WINKEL”
•  HANDS & HEARTS ORGANIZATION

Donations from charity entries and clothing collections are distributed by the Knysna Marathon Club.

SUBSTITUTIONS 

The substitution window is open from 26 January to 23 May 2026.

• Process: Withdraw and get an 85% refund if substituted. A 15% admin fee applies. Your ticket can be sold on market place should you wish to sell to another runner.

Note: No cancellations or refunds will be processed after 23 May 2026.

REGISTRATION 

• Venue: Knysna High School Sports Field, Waterfront Drive.
• Time: 03 July 2026, 10:00 to 22:00. No Saturday morning registrations.
• Bring race number confirmation and ID to collect your race pack.

No third Party pick-ups.

ROUTE & TIMING: 

• Start Time: Full Marathon at 07:00, Half Marathon at 08:00.
• Route Maps: Available online.
• Cut-off Times: Half Marathon – 3.5 hours, Full Marathon – 5.5 hours.
• Taxi to Start: From Vigilance Drive, 04:30 to 06:30. No private drop-offs allowed.

POST-RACE 

• Medals: Unique shields for the first 200 finishers on the full marathon.
• Prize Giving at the finish area:

21.1km prize giving @ 12:30pm

42.2km prize giving at 13:00pm.

• Shuttle Service: Free taxi back to the start point from the finishing field.

MORE INFORMATION

Click here to view more Race Info and Race Rules

• For race enquiries contact:
• 076 195 4832
• admin@knysnaforestmarathon.co.za
• For up-to-date information and online entries go to www.knysnaforestmarathon.co.za. 

Indemnity Form

*Please note that the indemnity form should be signed by all participants.

To download the indemnity form click the link below

Knysna Forest Marathon.pdf