The City of Cape Town will observe the Slave Route Challenge this Sunday on June 01, 2025. It is the 13th edition of the event that will honour the heritage of Cape Town. City officials also advised the residents and motorists of road closures impact on traffic.
Reportedly, approx. 8000 runners are expected to participate in the 21 km half-marathon, a 10 km walk or run and a 5 km fun run. The 13th Slave Route Challenge will follow a course steeped in Cape Town’s layered past, that will retrace the paths once walked by slaves and will honour the long-acknowledged heritage of the city.
Starting on Darling Street, in front of the iconic City Hall, 10 km participants will go through District Six, Gardens, Bo-Kaap and back into the city centre for a finish on the Grand Parade.
The Runners on the half-marathon will take on a similar route through District Six, Gardens, Bo-Kaap with an extra leg into Green POint before crossing the finish line on the Grand Parade.
As per the sources, the City of Cape Town has been providing support to the Slave Route Challenge for over a decade and continued the partnership for the 2025 edition.
Considering this, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security – Alderman JP Smith said that the Slave Route Challenge is more than just a race. It is a journey tracing the history of Cape Town.
Also, it is an opportunity for participants to reflect on this history, while also leading a healthy lifestyle. The event brings together thousands of people from different backgrounds to embrace their love for running.
The City of Cape Town is proud to support an event that commemorates the history of this city and honours those who played a part in making Cape Town what it is today. The half-marathon runners will set off at 7:00 a.m. with the 10 km races following at 7:30 a.m. and the 5km at 7:40 a.m.
Each race will take them on a unique course through sites that honours the resilience and legacy of the slaves who helped in building Cape Town.
The historic landmark runners pass through will include – District Six, Company’s Garden, Bo-Kaap, Green Point Urban Park, Fork Wynard, the Whipping Post (corner of Buitenkant and Darling streets), Gallows Hill (Somerset Road, Green Point) and the Slave Tree Plaque (Spin Street) and the Castle of Good Hope.