Sunday 1st June 2025

This being such a popular run which ever distance one choses to run/walk, I entered nice and early ensuring a spot in this race. So, on Sunday morning once again up long before the birds (04h15) it really was a case of getting dressed, having Karen park in our garage and off to Paula’s house to collect Paula and Sonja. We decided to park opposite the Dias Tavern Portuguese Restaurant in Caledon Street where there are on site car guards asking for a mere R20 to watch one’s car. Bonus! When we arrived there, the parking bay was next to empty which enabled me to park right at the entrance.
We toddled off down to the Parade which was just starting to come alive with runners arriving in the hope of a good place up front. We were so early that we decided to take a walk through the city and ended up at the flower sellers who had the most gorgeous king white proteas amongst any other flower one could possibly imagine.
The doorman at the Golden Acre shopping centre was kind enough to let us in and ushered us to a very convenient loo. We were so grateful to him as this saved us from using the plastic portaloo’s. Once back at the Parade most of the 21km runners had taken their place and it was now just a matter of time before the mayor gave the go ahead to get started. The gun went off at 07h00 on the dot and it was time for a chilly early morning Slave Route challenge.



Finding one’s feet – unless one is upfront – can prove to be a challenge in itself with runners just stopping in the middle of nowhere, or strolling along on the right side of the road choosing not to run . . . yet?
Be that as it may – and I’m quite sure a similar thing happens in most races, before long we approached our very first water table. Very well manned. Very well stocked. I decided to give the first one a miss and run on to table number two at the 6km mark. A choice of coke, water and/or Energade – the blue one – yum yum – was available and easily obtainable. Loads of bins had been supplied avoiding the need to litter.


Some days I really have a good run. Unfortunately, today would not fall into that category. By 8km’s I was ready to throw in the towel. My legs were not playing ball which left me feeling lethargic and overwhelmed. But run I did, be it in my own fashion. Running then walking . . . a lot.
Runners then take a ‘historical journey’ through District Six, Gardens, Wale Street and into the Bo’Kaap, where the hill of all hills awaits. The surrounding scenery and heritage just can’t be explained – District Six and the Bo-Kaap – multi coloured homes on a hill that one can hardly walk up never mind run!
And now it was time to do exactly that. Tackle the HILL. For some – including me – the one and only option is to swallow one’s pride and take a good old-fashioned walk. A Sunday morning walk with the prize at the top being a home made straight out of the fryer – Koeksister/koesuster. Youngsters at the top of the hill abound with trays of this sweet treat were well stocked offering all and sundry a taste of their wares. It was here too that yet another water table was stationed thank goodness where one could quite deservedly quench one’s thirst. Oh yes indeed and it was very necessary.
From that very point on, it was basically down hill with flat roads in-between. Liberating for sure but bearing in mind that this was merely half way with quite a few km’s still to go. We ran through a park, then past the DHL stadium, the Waterfront and eventually – and no I’m not counting – once again through the city and finally the Castle. I’m sure I sighed a breath of relief knowing that this run was over.
The sights along the way were very interesting and of course filled with history. Unimaginable history never to be repeated again. The Whipping Post, where enslaved people were publicly punished. The Hurling Swing Pump, where they were forced to pump water for their masters. The Company Bell, which rang to summon enslaved workers. Gallows Hill, where executions were carried out. The Slave Tree Plaque, marking the site where enslaved individuals were auctioned.
I crossed the finish line and received my medal. Done. Thank goodness done!
Paula and Karen had finished long before me so they had the opportunity of watching runners come in. Sonja had run the 10km and run past me on the 21km 😊 Not sure if I’ll tackle this race again, not sure? But I certainly burnt enough calories for a days run.

Hats off and thanks of course to Brimstone Itheko Sport AC who organized this amazing run and to the marshals along the way.
And last but definitely not least. My heart along with thousands of other runners is absolutely broken at the news of one of our entrants losing their life whilst running through the park in a freak accident. May her soul rest in peace x