Winelands Half Marathon 2026 is a 21.1 km race on Saturday 7 November, starting at 06:00 at Coetzenburg, Stellenbosch. The course climbs about 231 m in total and has 7 water points.
From Coetzenburg down Dorp Street and out of Stellenbosch on the R44, over Stellenrust Road through the Golden Triangle, and home by Jamestown and Paradyskloof.
06:00, Coetzenburg, Stellenbosch (Suidwal, beside the Eerste River). New venue for 2026
The fields at Coetzenburg. Cut-off 09:30 (3 hours 30). Prize-giving 09:30 to 10:00
It climbs about 231 m in total. The highest point is 178 m above sea level, at km 11.7.
7 water points about every 3 km, water in recyclable cups, 2 of them with Coke (the spots shown are approximate: the 2026 positions are not published yet). Plastic free: no sachets, so bring a cup or refill flask if you can. Water and Coke at the finish
km 2.6 · 5.3 · 7.9 · 10.6 · 13.2 · 15.8 · 18.5
7 water points, about every 3 km
Friday 6 November, 10:00 to 18:00, at Sportsmans Warehouse Paarl, Rondebosch, Somerset West, Stellenbosch and Tygervalley. No collection on race day
Minimum age 16. Chip timed. No headphones. Entries are sold out. Official charity: Little Angels Home, Somerset West
06:00 · km 0
New this year: start, finish and race village move from Eikestad Primary School to Coetzenburg, Stellenbosch University's sports grounds. You start on Suidwal beside the Eerste River, with a short loop through Krigeville before you head into town.
km 2 to 2.5 · Dorp Street
Stellenbosch is the second-oldest town in South Africa, and Dorp Street was its wagon road to the Cape. Under the oaks runs one of the longest rows of historic buildings in the country, past Oom Samie se Winkel, the old general dealer.
km 2.5 to 6.7 · Strand Road
Left onto Strand Road, the R44, and south out of Stellenbosch, past the Stellenbosch Golf Club. From km 3.3 the road rises about 40 metres in under two kilometres.
km 6.3 · on your left
One of the oldest farms in the valley, granted in 1682. Blaauwklippen means blue stones, after the granite its first farmers dug up when they cleared the land. Past it the road dips to 92 m, then climbs again.
km 6.7 to 9 · the R44
Ahead is the Helderberg above Somerset West. Its name means clear mountain, for the way its western face lights up in the evening; its highest point, the Dome, is 1,137 m. Helderberg Harriers, the hosts, are a Somerset West club.
km 9.1 to 11.7 · the big climb
Left onto Stellenrust Road for the hardest climb of the day: about 60 metres in two and a half kilometres, steepest in the first kilometre and a half. It tops out at 178 m, the highest point of the course.
km 11.7 · the highest point, 178 m
These slopes are the Golden Triangle, some of the most famous red wine country in South Africa: Stellenrust, Bilton, Stellenzicht, and Rust en Vrede, farmed since 1694. The highest point of the course comes at km 11.7, with the Helderberg on your right and Stellenbosch Mountain ahead.
km 12.8 to 15 · Blaauwklippen Road
Down Blaauwklippen Road, past the village of Jamestown on your left. It was founded in 1902 on land bought from the Blaauwklippen farm, and its families have grown strawberries here for generations.
km 15 to 16.2 · the last climb
One last climb, about 30 metres, turning right into Wildebosch and on into Paradyskloof, below Stellenbosch Mountain. Then it's downhill to Strand Road.
km 17.4 to 18.6 · Strand Road
Right onto Strand Road and back down into Stellenbosch, losing about 50 metres in two kilometres.
km 18.6 to 19.7 · Krigeville
Right into Krigeville on Van Reede Street, then left into Koch Street, down to the river. The last two kilometres rise gently, about 20 metres in all.
km 21.1 · Coetzenburg
Right along the Eerste River on Suidwal to the finish on the fields at Coetzenburg. The farm was granted to Dirk Coetsee in 1682; Stellenbosch University bought it in 1960, and it is now the home of Maties sport. Half marathon prize-giving 09:30 to 10:00.
Route: Helderberg Harriers' official 2026 course maps. Water points: the organisers' plan, spots approximate