Sunday 13th July 2025
The Cape Town Festival of Running
The 2025 Cape Town Festival of Running took place on Sunday, July 13, 2025 from 07h00 at the Sea Point Promenade (Opposite SABC) in Cape Town. Distances included a 50km, 21.1km and 5km races
The Cape Town Festival of Running event started in 1997, when the event was known as Hewat Cape Town 100 miler organized by Hewat Athletic club. The event happens in July every year. CTFOR part sponsored by the City has since evolved into a 100km, 50km, 21km and relay event. A popular race held over 2 days with the 21km being on the Sunday.
Naomi had been kind enough to drive through to the city the previous day to collect our race numbers. Not only had Naomi collected our numbers but also volunteered to drive us through to the race on Sunday. This race was scheduled to start at 07h30.
Come Sunday morning I drove through to Naomi and left my car at her house. We then collected Paula and off we went leaving Table View just before 06h00. Travelling through to the city at that time of the morning on a Sunday has it’s benefits. Hardly another car to be seen. And parking? Well parking was an absolute breeze with Naomi pulling into the very first vacancy just a short walk from the start of the race. We did however decide to remain put as there must surely have been snow on the mountain. It was beyond cold. The bitter wind that lashed off the ocean delivered one of the coldest mornings I’ve experienced for a long long time.
So just before 07h00 we ventured off towards the gazebo huddling ourselves as we walked swiftly to our destination. Some folk had left it a bit late looking for and finding parking, resorting to parking up on the pavement? Not a good move and definitely destined for a parking ticket. I’m quite a stickler about this parking on the pavement lark actually. Roads are for driving on and pavements are for walking on. Being an avid walker it cheeses me off to find a vehicle parked illegally, failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
Once at the gazebo I imagine every man and his dog was looking to find shelter from the bitter cold and that’s exactly where we remained until we had to leave and get into the running queue. Amongst the crowd I was able to tuck in behind tall beefy chaps who definitely offered some form of respite against the chill.
07h30 and we were off! Timing was perfect. This route includes a dog leg where one turns left out of the venue, runs a few km’s then turns to head off on the journey of Cape Town Festival of Running. We would run from Three Anchor Bay, through to Bantry Bay, then Clifton, The Glen, Rontree and making a welcome U turn before reaching Llandudno. But of course en route this majestical scenic run, the organizers chucked in a curve ball called Queen Street. Whoever thought this would be a good idea needs to seriously think again. I tried, I honestly tried but you know when youre beat! I simply had to walk up the last few meters . . . .along side many many others. At the top of Queen’s it was good to see Alida who was standing poised with her camera and able to catch the West Coasters as they passed by. Up until this point Paula, Naomi and I had been running in convey and this is exactly where it all went pear shaped. The girls took off as if their lives depended on it striding along with the finish line in mind. Me on the other hand was holding my own and quite well too up until 9kms. Oh dear. Tired legs, tired mind, thirsty. I must add that the refreshment stations along the way were honestly more than adequate. My favourite being the very last one before finishing the 21km. Loads of water and you know what else? Do I have to say COKE? Paula mentioned that she had seen oranges along the way which I’d clearly missed. Unfortunate as I love a good orange.
Down down down towards the turnaround mark now, with marshals and cones indicating exactly where to go and what to do. And what goes down generally goes up right? Like exactly where we’d come from. Oh well it really was a case of just run and get back, cross the finish line, drink coke and …….breath!
Running back we hugged the coast with the most splendid views ever. We are truly blessed and fortunate to be able to live in this beautiful city. I wore my cap of positivity on the way back and honestly before I knew it the end was in sight. Our club gazebo was attended to by West Coasters who had run the relay the previous day. Running past this landmark assured me that this race was now over. Over and done with. I think I have the right to say thank goodness! Did I get my monies worth from the Festival of Running? You bet your bottom dollar I did. In hindsight, and I can say this now that it’s finished, it was a good run……..
Once on the grass at the playground area stood Yvonne and Sharon with a homemade banner especially for Paula. Our Paula. Paula who was celebrating her 50th 21km. That’s quite some feat. 50 21km’s. Here’s to another 50 Paula, may good health follow you wherever you go. Photo’s, coke, coffee, champers and it was time to head back to the car to have Naomi drive us home.
All in all, a very successful morning organized by the Hewat Running Community.