Parkrun Tourism: Running in Cape Town

Greenpoint Parkrun

Greenpoint Parkrun sits right on the Cape Town waterfront, with Table Mountain as your backdrop. It is one of those runs where you spend half the time looking at the scenery instead of your watch. The course is flat, fast, and runs along the promenade — a world away from the grey canal paths of Manchester.

I ran it in 21:42, which was comfortable but not flat out. The morning sun was already warm by 8am, which as someone used to running in 5-degree Manchester drizzle, took some adjusting to.

Rondebosch Parkrun

The following week I did Rondebosch Parkrun, which is a completely different experience. The course has some proper hills — I ran 22:14 and my heart rate was noticeably higher than Greenpoint. The route goes through the suburbs and has a community feel similar to the smaller parkruns back home.

Parkrun Tourism

If you are a runner and you travel, doing the local parkrun is the best way to see a new place. You get a run in, you meet local runners, and you see parts of a city that tourists never visit. I have done parkruns in the North East, Leeds, Manchester, and now Cape Town. Every single one has been worth the early alarm.