Slave Route Challenge to disrupt CBD traffic

So first, the good news: the 13th edition of the Slave Route Challenge takes over the streets of Cape Town this Sunday (1 June 2025) with over 8000 runners tackling the 21km, 10km, and 5km routes that pay tribute to Cape Town’s colourful, complex history.

The bad news? Those 8000 runners are going to cause just a tiny bit of mayhem with CBD traffic, so if you had plans to hit Greenmarket Square, the Company’s Garden or even the Waterfront, you’re going to want to plan your route carefully.

Locals can look forward to significant traffic disruptions across the CBD and surrounding neighbourhoods, with a number of key routes fully or partially closed from the early hours of the morning through to midday.

The biggest closures include:

• Darling Street (between Plein and Buitenkant Streets): Full closure from 4am to 11.30am
• Sir Lowry Road (westbound): Between Tennant and Buitenkant Streets
• Hanover Street: Between Tennant and Sir Lowry, and again between Christiaan and Tennant
• Lower Buitenkant Street: Between Strand and Darling
• Hatfield Street: Between Roeland and Orange

Additional lane closures and restricted access will impact major thoroughfares including:

• Roeland, Orange, Wale, Long, Loop and Somerset Roads
• Beach Road, Granger Bay Boulevard, Prestwich, Riebeek, and Adderley Streets

Several MyCiTi bus routes will also be diverted or temporarily suspended. Affected routes include:

• 101, 102, 103, 109, 111, and 118
• Key stop closures include Adderley, Lower Plein, District Six, and Alfred (on Somerset Road)

“We encourage motorists to plan alternate routes and allow extra travel time,” said Alderman JP Smith.

For full road closure maps and public transport updates, visit www.slaveroute.co.za.

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