Port Elizabeth is the main city of South Africa’s Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape Province. Known as “The Friendly City,” this major seaport is known for its great weather, beaches, and as a gateway for big game and safari tourism. It’s also the hub of the Eastern Cape’s economy, boasting some of the top investment, manufacturing, and automotive businesses in the country. Thanks to its waterfront location and proximity to many nature parks, there are many places to run in Port Elizabeth.
The top running route in Port Elizabeth is the waterfront boardwalk/promenade stretching from Summerstrand to King’s Beach. To the south, we’ve mapped a route to Cape Recife. We also point to some of the best road running streets and neighborhoods, and a number of runnable parks/trails, including the Sacramento Trail, the Lower Guinea Fowl Trail, the Aloe Trail, A good destination spot for a run is Van Staden’s Wildflower Reserve, 40 km west of Port Elizabeth. If you’re looking for some friendly competition on your run, try any of the four Parkrun routes for a free 5 km.
Most visitors arrive to Port Elizabeth via the airport or train station, but once here, getting around is pretty straightforward. The recently updated public bus system is easy to navigate, but taxis remain the most popular form of tourist transportation.
