Where do you usually find yourself at 8am on a Saturday morning? Still in bed? At the shops? Enjoying a flat white and croissant at your local coffee shop?
For millions of people worldwide, 8am on a Saturday means only one thing: it’s time for parkrun.
Since the first-ever parkrun – in London’s Bushy Park on 2 October 2004 – parkrun has grown into a global phenomenon. And it all began with 13 friends and a stopwatch: the brainchild of South African-born Paul Sinton-Hewitt. The idea was, and remains, wonderful in its simplicity: a free, timed 5km jog/walk/run in a public park, staffed entirely by volunteers, welcoming runners and walkers of all ages and paces.
Today, parkrun spans hundreds of cities in 22 countries, with South Africa one of the movement’s most passionate adopters and Cape Town a postcard-perfect playground for a Saturday morning outing.
Did you know that there are 226 parkrun events across South Africa each weekend? That’s because parkrun strips running back to the road-running trinity of fresh air, exercise and community. There’s no entry fee and no finish-line FOMO. You can chase your PB, jog with a pram, stroll with a mate, or tail-walk in a volunteer vest and earn applause for finishing last (by design).
Every parkrun is laid out on a measured 5km route, each with a Run Director and a small army of volunteer marshals, timekeepers, scanners, funnel managers and a tail walker to ensure no one is left behind.
If it’s your first-time, register for parkrun online to get your personal barcode. Bring it in each week, collect a finish token, have both codes scanned, and your results will be sent to your inbox a few hours later.
Courses vary from beach sands to pavement to vineyard gravel roads. Wherever you choose to parkrun, the rules of engagement are the same: be courteous, listen to the marshals, follow the arrows, keep dogs on a short lead (where allowed) and thank your volunteers.
So where to parkrun? Cape Town offers 13 unforgettable parkrun options, from the inner-city to the suburbs. Expect plenty of local gees, and a dollop of warm Mother City welcome.
LOCAL INTEL: Ryan Sandes shares his favourite trail runs in Cape Town
Perhaps the most ‘Capetonian’ of all the Cape Town parkruns, this very popular event makes full use of Green Point Urban Park and the precinct around DHL Cape Town Stadium. It’s almost completely flat and includes grassy sections as well as paved paths. A great choice for a PB if you get ahead early. Enjoy breakfast afterwards on the Sea Point Promenade!
Green Point Common Sports Fields & Green Point Park
If you don’t mind muddy shoes in winter, this leafy greenbelt trail is a delight. While the paths can become crowded in the busier summer months, the two-lap course follows an accessible route of compacted dirt paths with gentle undulations and plenty of shade. Be cautious of exposed roots and muddy puddles after rain. The route is well marshalled and signed, with a clear briefing for first-timers. It’s not ideal for runners pushing prams.
Constantia Greenbelt, Alphen trail, Constantia
Love crowds and a vibe? Come to Century City. This urban route winds through landscaped gardens and along waterside boardwalks. It’s flat and fast when dry, with several turns that demand pace control. Much of the route is paved, making it an ideal choice for prams.
Ratanga Park, Century City
If ever there was a course for setting your PB, Rondebosch Common is it. Fast, flat and entirely on tarmac. But, it’s also one of the most popular parkruns in the city, so you’d best find a spot near the front. For those happy to take it easy, this is a great route, especially on the western side of the Common, where you’ll find shade from large Stone Pines. On the east, the noise of the traffic is offset by great mountain views. It’s a paved tarmac path all the way round, and you’ll do almost two loops of the Common to make your 5K. Dogs (on a short-leash) and prams are welcome, but be mindful of the rule to run on the right and pass on the left. And no running in the road.
Park Road, Rondebosch
One of the most popular parkruns in the city’s northern suburbs, the Belville parkrun takes place in Jack Muller – Danie Uys Park on a course of paved paths and dirt roads. You’ll usually do 2.3 laps of the day’s track, which can vary depending on conditions. Parking and access are generally straightforward, and the start/finish is easy to find. Suitable for all paces, including walkers. No dogs allowed, though.
Jack Muller – Danie Uys Park, corner of Frans Conradie and Charl Cronje Drive
With stunning winelands views to distract you, this is a great choice for parkrunners seeking a change of scenery. Hosted on Meerendal Wine Estate, most of this rolling route takes place on wide dirt roads between the vineyards. You’ll start on the lawn area in front of the Wine Tasting area, then cross a wooden bridge to head into the farm and the vineyards. It’s gently downhill throughout, but that means only one thing — a gentle uphill back towards the farm gate, followed by one last flat/downhill kilometre to the finish. Dogs are not permitted.
Meerendal Wine Estate, Vissershok Rd, Durbanville
Another lovely coastal parkrun in Cape Town begins at the NSRI station in Melkbosstrand, about a 40-minute drive from the city centre. Or take the MyCiti bus to the stop at the top of 6th Avenue, from where it’s a short walk down to the beach. You certainly won’t get lost on this route: from the NSRI base, you run north along the beach towards Koeberg (the nuclear power station) for 2.5 kilometres. Turn around and head back to the slipway. Hungry afterwards? Damhuis Restaurant serves a great breakfast with a view of the ocean. This is also a good parkrun option if you want to bring your dog, as well-behaved hounds are (unlike at Blouberg) welcome here.
NSRI Station, Beach Road, Melkbosstrand
This is perhaps one of the most unique parkrun courses in the world, featuring a long stretch on the beach and unforgettable views of Table Mountain and Robben Island! Starting at Eden on the Bay, the route begins with a loop around the grassy area before heading down the boat ramp onto the beach. Runners then go north along the coast towards Melkbos to reach a turning point. They then retrace their steps, enjoying spectacular views of Table Mountain ahead. Turn left back up the boat ramp and complete the loop around the grassy area. Dogs are not permitted at this event, and prams or buggies may find it difficult to traverse the beach sand.
Eden on the Bay, Big Bay.
They don't call it the Cape Flats for nothing, so if you're looking to set your PB, the Bridgetown parkrun is a good choice: the course is a fast and flat clockwise route that loops twice around Nantes Park. The parkrun takes place on a combination of paved and grassed paths, which are wide enough for quicker runners to pass walkers on their second lap. Lovely community atmosphere, and fantastic mountain views.
Nantes Park, Appledene Road, Bridgetown, Athlone
Another parkrun with a fantastic community vibe, Mitchell’s Plain offers a three-lap course starting inside Westridge Gardens on the grass patch numbered ‘six’. If it’s your first visit, pay attention to the route as you’ll loop around playparks and swimming pools and skate parks and even dinosaurs (yup, no kidding). The trail varies and includes pavement, gravel, sand, and grass, so be ready for anything.
Westridge Gardens, Morgenster Street, Westridge, Mitchells Plain
An easily accessible parkrun that skirts the banks of Zandvlei, near Muizenberg. It’s flat and even, mostly on grass with some paved sections, making it a great option for those just starting out. You might not clock a fast time here as you'll be happily distracted by the birdlife on the vlei, and lovely mountain views. There’s not much shade, but expect a fresh south-easterly wind to keep you cool in summer. Doggos are welcome, and the beachfront restaurants of Muizenberg are a short walk away for a post-run coffee.
False Bay Rendezvous, Promenade Rd, Zandvlei
An all-trail route that begins and ends at Ambleside School, following footpaths through the wetlands and reed beds of the Hout Bay River. The path is often narrow, so you’ll be jostling with other runners at times. Good for camaraderie, but not so good for oversized prams, which aren’t allowed here. Even single strollers aren’t ideal on this course. However, if you’re just out for a jog or walk, it’s a delightfully nature-rich option for a Saturday morning.
Ambleside School of Hout Bay, 120 Milner Ave, Hout Bay
When the south-easter isn’t blowing, you can look forward to clocking a good time here, but otherwise settle in for a chat with the ever-friendly Deep South locals. You’ll run two loops of a course around Fish Hoek Sports Fields, with the second loop through Silverglades open space along a tarred path between houses. The locals call this Henry’s Loop. You’ll need to ask them why! The track varies from grass to gravel to sandy pathways, and the course is run in an anti-clockwise direction. Cool off with a dip at the beach afterwards!
Fish Hoek Sports Fields, corner 20th Ave / Nelson Road, Silverglades, Fish Hoek
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