Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate with mild, moderately wet winters and dry, warm summers. Winter (June through August) may see large cold fronts with significant precipitation and strong north-westerly winds. The average high is 64 °F (18.0 °C) and the average low is 47 °F (8.5 °C) during the winter months. Summer (December through March), is warm and dry. The average high is 79 °F (26.0 °C) and the average low is 61 °F (16.0 °C). Ocean water temperatures vary greatly, between 50 °F (10 °C) on the Atlantic Seaboard, to over 72 °F (22 °C) in False Bay.

Most of Cape Town’s hotels are located in three areas: the City Bowl, Clifton, and Camps Bay. The City Bowl is Cape Town’s commercial center. It is home to trendy neighborhoods such as Gardens, De Waterkant, and Bo-Kaap. Clifton and Camps Bay where white-sand beaches border the city’s ritziest area. From a running perspective, the Historical Cape Town, Camps Bay, Sea Point Promenade, and Lion’s Head routes are easily accessible from these areas.

See running overview map for store locations. Green icons indicate route starting points.

Runners Rest. Western Cape. Runners Rest is a specialist running store that focuses on “natural running”

Run Specialist Store. Cape Town. In-store video running gait analysis. Holds various running events at the store. See website for details.

The Sweat Shop. Claremont. South Africa’s largest (by sales) specialist running shop.

Kotov Sports-Specialised Running Shop. Century City.

Atlantic Athletic Running club is based at Hamiltons Rugby Club in Green Point. Visitors are welcome to join Club Runs at no charge. Please contact Club Administrator on [email protected] if you have any queries.

Group Runs: A quick, rough guide to the regular weekly trail-running groups (CRAG / K-Way VOB / MATES / Celtics / Drifters). Various trail running groups hosting open group runs on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sundays. Details provided in link.

Cape Town has numerous running events!

Road Running Events Calendars #1. Events Calendars #2.

With so many great mountains nearby, there are also lots of trail running events!

Trail Running Events Calendar #3. Events Calendar #4.

Some of the major events are:

Lion of Africa Half Marathon February. 21.1km Half Marathon,10km Run/Walk and 5km Run/Walk.

Cape Peninsula Marathon February. Marathon and Half Marathon.

Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra and Half Marathon April. Ultra (56K) and Half Marathon (21K).

FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN May. 12K Road Race.

Sanlam Cape Town Marathon September. Marathon, 4.2K Fun Run as well as 22K or 12K Peace Trail Run and 10K Peace Run.

Hout Bay Harriers Chappies Challenge October. 15 & 10K. Up Chapman’s Peak Drive and back with a loop in Hout Bay Village.

OUTsurance 94.5KFM Gun Run October. Half Marathon, 10K and 5K Fun Run. When the Cape Field Artillery fired their military gun in 2013, 19,525 entrants took to the streets of Cape Town, making the Gun Run the second largest road running race in the country.

Run the Vines Monthly. A series of 5K and 10K trail runs that brings runners to a different wine farm every month. After your run enjoy good food, wine and live music.

The Crazy Store Table Mountain Challenge September. One of the most sought after races on the trail running calendar. Endure the full 44km on your own, or be part of a stage team.

Muizenberg Monster April. 20K, 10K or 6K Beach Run.

Lion’s Head Challenge April. Marathon and Half Marathon Trail Run.