Calling all runners, walkers, fitness enthusiasts, and curious history buffs. One of South Africa’s favourite road races has a new date: The Slave Route Challenge, powered by Brimstone, will now take place in Cape Town on March 31 2019.
The Slave Route Challenge, voted Road Race of the Year for 2018 by Western Province Athletics, started in 2011 with just over 2000 runners. Last year’s event attracted more than 9 000 participants. Runners and walkers come from all over the country as the unique route winds past some of Cape Town’s most prominent heritage sites and provides an opportunity to gain a different perspective on Cape Town’s rich and diverse cultural history.
From City Hall in Darling Street, the route embraces District 6, Gardens, the Company Gardens, Wale Street, BoKaap, Sea Point (Cape Town Stadium), Green Point (Fort Wynyard), the CBD, up Adderley Street into Spin Street (Slave Plaque) and then through the Castle of Good Hope to finish on the Grand Parade. One of the favourite points has to be ‘Koesister Hill’ in the historic Bo-Kaap, so called because as runners reach the peak of the hill, they are greeted by a bevy of residents sugaring these delectable Cape Malay confections before handing them out to delighted participants.
The Slave Route Challenge comprises four separate events. Runners can do as many as they can fit in – a half marathon and a 10KM run (both timed and sanctioned by Western Province Athletics), a 10KM walk and a 5KM fun run. The Race Beneficiary this year is the Mary Harding School, which provides vital educational assistance to young people who have mild to moderate mental impairment.
Farouk Meyer, event organiser from Itheko Sports Management, is excited about the new timing of the event. Hosting the Challenge in March potentially opens the event up to a greater audience, including the hordes of international visitors who will be in the Mother City over the period. This acts as a wonderful opportunity to share our history, and do so via a fun and historic journey through the streets of Cape Town.
Because the Challenge is as much about getting fit as it is about knowledge sharing, each participant will receive a free voucher to visit the Castle of Good Hope during the month of April as well as entry to the District 6 museum. On top of this, everyone finishing the Challenge will earn a unique medal part of a series of collectibles.
Cape Town hosts a multitude of sporting events, each with their own merit, but the Slave Route Challenge is possibly one that has the most meaning. At a time when our country faces many challenges, there is no better time to come together to have fun, celebrate our differences, and remember our past, all while exploring new avenues and embarking on the adventure of the future on the road that lies ahead.
Event details
Entry costs:
Half Marathon licenced – R130
Half marathon unlicensed – R190
10km run senior (age 20 upwards) licenced – R85
10km run senior (age 20 upwards) unlicensed – R125
10km run junior (age 19 and under) licenced – R65
10km run junior (age 19 and under) unlicensed – R90
10km Walk (all) – R50
5km Fun Run- R30
Please note the half marathon and 10km run are the only timed events.
Starting Times:
Half Marathon: 06:45am
10km Run/Walk: 07:15am
5km Run/Walk: 07:20am
Record time:
21km : 1:03:56
10km : 31:03
Closing date for entries: 17 March 2019
Number Collection:
- EXPO at Castle of Good Hope
- Late entries will be taken for the 5km Fun Run and 10km Walk ONLY on Fri & Sat
- Number collection @ Castle of Good Hope on:
- Friday 29 March: 10:00am – 08:00pm
- Saturday 30 March: 10:00am – 05:00pm
- Sunday 31 March: 05:30am – 07:00am
Entry forms
Online at Webtickets
Manual entries at all Sportsman Warehouse outlets in Western Cape