The 2025 Totalsports Women’s Race hits the streets of Cape Town on Saturday – 9 August 2025 – and while the runners will bring colour, community and cheer to celebrate Women’s Day, you can also expect a side order of traffic chaos in the city centre, with road closures in place from 7am to 10.45am.
With a record-breaking 15 000 runners expected to line up at the start, the City of Cape Town has confirmed full and partial closures across Woodstock, District Six, the Gardens and the CBD. Parking will be tight, with limited bays available in the surrounding streets. And – heads up – the traffic cops will be out in force, with the City warning that illegally parked vehicles, especially those obstructing residents, will be towed.
Now in its 19th year, the Totalsports Women’s Race is South Africa’s biggest Women’s Day running event, with races also held in Johannesburg and Durban. But, it all began here in the Western Cape, with the first race held in 2001! This weekend, over 30000 runners are expected to lace up across all three cities.
"The Totalsports Women’s Race is more than just another running event," said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith. “It’s a bold celebration of health, strength, solidarity and empowerment. It’s always inspiring to see mothers, daughters, sisters and aunts take to the streets of the Mother City to commemorate Women’s Day in such a meaningful way.”
The flagship 10km route kicks off at 8am in front of City Hall on Darling Street – have you heard about the refurbished clock? – and takes runners past some of the Mother City’s most iconic sights: Woodstock, District Six and the Company’s Garden to finish in festive style on the Grand Parade. A shorter 5km race begins at 8.10am and follows a similar route, bypassing District Six via Hanover Street.
Roads in Woodstock, District Six, Gardens and the CBD will be fully or partially closed from 7am to 10.45am. Major routes affected include Darling Street (the start line), Buitenkant, Hanover, Constitution, and parts of Loop, Long, and Bree Streets. Some closures affect both directions, while others limit single lanes for runners. Plan ahead, use public transport, and avoid parking near the route. You can find full details via totalsportswomensrace.co.za.
If you’re running and need to get to the start line, you’ll find limited parking available at:
- CPUT (Caledon and Tennant Streets)
- De Roos & Gore Streets
- Canterbury & Primrose Streets
- Tennant & Sydney Streets
- Golden Acre Shopping Centre
Prefer trail-running? Here are Ryan Sandes' best trails in Cape Town