Calling all fitness fanatics, runners, walkers, vibe chasers and history enthusiasts! One of South Africa’s favourite road races with heritage and historical significance is back.
Grab your running shoes and get ready to run or walk to commemorate the lives of slaves held captive in Cape Town, as the Slave Route Challenge returns in May.
Also read: Discover the City’s hidden gems with these walking tours
This will be the first challenge since the iconic event was halted by the Covid-19 pandemic shortly after celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2020.
With the hopes of bringing people from all walks of life together under the spirit of Ubuntu, this year’s theme is #MyCityMyRun.
The avid runner can look forward to the 21.1 kilometre half marathon or 10km run (both timed and sanctioned by Western Province Athletics) while those less inclined to marathons but still equally as eager can start getting excited for the 10-kilometre Big Run, 10 kilometre Big Walk or the 5-kilometre Fun Run/Walk.
Cost and Start Times

Online and manual entries close on 14 May 2023.
Powered by Brimstone, the event hopes to see a plethora of Capetonians pounding the streets of the Mother City in aid of this year’s Race Beneficiary: The Early Learning Resource Unit (ELRU).
ELRU is an NGO primarily focused on providing caregivers, facilitators and practitioners with knowledge and skills needed for comprehensive support to vulnerable children during early childhood development stages through home, community and centre-based programmes and training.
‘Be part of this iconic event where we literally see the sights, sounds and historical heritage value of our beautiful Mother City. By entering, you automatically support our race beneficiary,’ says Fatima Allie, The Slave Route Challenge spokesperson.

The Slave Route Challenge takes you from City Hall through District Six, Company Gardens, Bo-Kaap (where runners will be treated to a traditional Cape Malay Koesister, of course), Cape Town stadium, Fort Wynyard, CBD and back down Darling Street and through the Castle of Good Hope to finish on the Grand Parade.
According to the event’s website, the route was selected because it passes heritage sites like the whipping post where slaves were subjected to severe punishment, the Hurling Swing Pump where slaves had to pump water for their masters, the Company Bell that rang to call slaves, Gallows Hill where slaves were executed, the Castle where slaves were imprisoned and tortures and the Slave Tree Plaque where slaves were sold.
The Details:
- Date: Sunday, 28 May 2023
- Location: Start – City Hall, Finish – Grand Parade
- Entries: slaveroute.co.za | webtickets.co.za | Pick n Pay Money Market (manual)
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Picture: @ommiedraai / Instagram