On Your Marks, Get Set, for Cape Town Marathon

The City of Cape Town encourages participants and spectators

The Cape Town Marathon takes place annually, every September, and is the only marathon in South Africa to start and finish on city roads. The race is a firm fixture on local and international running calendars and is regarded as one of the most popular city marathons in the world. Each year, the City of Cape Town and Western Province Athletics encourage participants and spectators.

"The event provides a fantastic opportunity for surrounding communities to take part in the event, as runners or spectators," explains Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services, Councillor Brett Herron, "It's also an opportunity for locals to highlight the culture in their own communities, through song, dance, poetry and other forms of entertainment."

The marathon consists of three different races: a 42km marathon, a 10km run and a 4.2km mini-marathon. Western Province designed a flat course, to encourage participation from all fitness levels; from top athletes who want to achieve a good finishing time, to amateur athletes. The route is also designed to pass areas of historical and cultural significance. The cut-off time for the marathon is 8 hours and 2 hours for the 10km race, so it can be completed at your own pace.

The route begins opposite the Cape Town Station in Adderley Street, and heads towards Rondebosch via Main Road. At the Fountains Centre in Rondebosch, runners head towards the common, before running in the direction of Athlone along Klipfontein Road. From here runners take Jan Smuts Drive, through Pinelands. They pass the V&A Waterfront, towards Green Point Common and Sea Point. Finally, they turn around at Milton Beach and head back towards the city centre via the Fan Walk, to finish in front of the City Hall.

Entry forms are available from: www.capetownmarathon.org.za or www.wpa.org.za