Coastal Cape Town is a premier destination for the adventure lover, thrill seeker and outdoor enthusiast. A buzzing city rests at the foot of the flat-topped Table Mountain, and contrasting suburbs lie scattered across vineyards and coastlines. Every where in Cape Town has some kind of a view. Whether it’s a cliff, beach, mountain in the distance, vineyards or a yacht basin; there’s pretty much something picturesque everywhere you turn. The topography of Cape Town lends itself to numerous sporting activities; which include everything from surfing to trail running, mountain biking, sailing and rock climbing. There are literally hundreds of small sporting events held annually in Cape Town, but it’s impossible to list all of them in on single blog post. We’ve grabbed the most popular running and cycling events in Cape Town that are worthy of being added to the energetic crowd’s “bucket list” of global sporting events to enter.
Grab the lycra shorts, tie the laces, clip in your cleats or tie shoelaces and come to Cape Town for these famous running and cycling events!
Cape Town Cycle Tour
The Argus Cycle tour is – arguably – the most famous cycling road race in the southern hemisphere. It’s also the world’s longest timed cycle tour, making it a must conquer sporting event for budding cyclists.
Annually, Cape Town sees an influx of thousands of tourists taking to the roads to complete this event. The (usually) 109 km route starts in the centre of Cape Town (Grand Parade Precinct area) and winds its way around the peninsula, finishing in the Green Point/Waterfront area. Hard-working riders are treated with hard hill climbs, downhill freewheeling on roads hugging the cliff faces and exquisite seaside areas in flat easy-cycle areas.
It’s one of the world’s most scenic cycle races and is incredibly well-supported by locals. Roads are lined with supporters playing music, dancing and encouraging cyclists – the cycle tour is nothing short of a massively festive event.
Where to Stay : It’s an early start and the city centre can become congested. You don’t want to spend too much time on the road getting to the start point. We recommend you stay in the centre of Cape Town or within the VA Waterfront area.
Our hotel recommendation : Townhouse hotel is an affordable hotel, literally located within walking distance of the start of the tour. For more elite hotels stay on the town side of the VA Waterfront at either the Westin Grand or the Southern Sun Hotel. For slightly further afield, but “across the road” we recommend the five star Cape Grace Hotel or premier Silo Hotel.
Enter the Cape Town Cycle Tour here : Cape Town Cycle Tour 2020
Two Oceans Marathon
The Two Oceans marathon has just celebrated its 50th year. Much like the Cape Town Cycle Tour, the Two Oceans follows a route that hugs the awe-inspiring peninsula of Cape Town. Known as the most prestigious race, this marathon offers the option to enter either a half-marathon or ultra-marathon (56 km). A breathtaking route that takes runners on a journey through small seaside villages of the False Bay coastline, Chapman’s Peak Drive, the Botanical Gardens of Kirstenbosch, the undulating Constantia vineyards and more. This run incorporates all of the tourist highlights, making it one of the world’s most scenic road runs.
Where to Stay : The Two Oceans Marathon starts in the suburb of Newlands and ends at the University of Cape Town in Rondebosch. Much like the cycle race, this road running race will start early in the morning. We urge you to stay close to the starting point of the race to avoid unnecessary traffic and congestion.
Our hotel recommendation : For a luxury stay we recommend the Andros Boutique Hotel and the Vineyard Hotel in Claremont. Further afield in the neighbouring suburb of Constantia is the Cellars Hohenhort. In Newlands itself is the affordable Southern Sun Hotel, which is probably the closest to the starting point.
Enter the Two Oceans Marathon here : Two Oceans Marathon 2020
Absa Cape Epic
This is for those endurance mountain bikers that enjoy an arduous rough and tough challenge through mountainous regions. This stage-race is the pinnacle of mountain bike events for avid two wheel dirt-chasers. Although this race is popular with professional mountain bikers from across the globe, it’s also open to amateurs. In order to enter, bikers would need to enter a lottery to gain their slot among the 600 teams that take part.
Covering a whopping 700 kilometres of single track, rocky trails and jeep track over a span of 8 days; the Absa Cape Epic truly offers the best of the raw wilderness of the Western Cape’s mountains, farming lands and vineyards. Mountain bikers can expect 15 000m of climbing and a route that changes on an annual basis. It’s the perfect way of exploring hidden and unexplored landscapes of the western Cape.
The Absa Cape Epic really is the Tour de France of mountain biking.
Where to Stay : The Absa Cape Epic varies its route, but generally starts in the Cape Town / UCT area and finishes in the Cape Winelands. You’d do best selecting accommodation in Cape Town central or close to UCT starting grounds.
Enter the Absa Cape Epic here : Enter the Absa Cape Epic
PUFfer Endurance Trail
This lesser-known endurance trail run is for the die-hard trail runners. Spanning some 80 km of mixed road and trail routes, the PUFfer (The Peninsula Ultra Fun Run) is most certainly a diverse race only for the tough at heart. The route undulates though the scenic Cape Point Nature Reserve, over the mountains through Silvermine Nature Reserve and down through Tokai forest. There’s the downward doom of Constantia Nek which is always tough on the knees, so be prepared. This run is hosted by the Fish Hoek Athletic Club and began in 1995.
This is one to remember and one to conquer.
Where to Stay : The PUFfer is not a race that sees thousands flock to the city, and thus it’s relatively uncrowded. You can stay anywhere in Cape Town.
Find out more about the PUFfer here : PUFfer Endurance Run in Cape Town
Wine2Whales
The name of this mountain biking race is pretty self-explanatory. It’s 3 day stage race that winds its way through the Cape’s vineyards and incorporates the whale watching town of Hermanus. Each stage is set to cover 60 – 80 km of contrasting terrain, including farm roads, narrow paths and hair-raising mountain tracks. Wine2Whales is the perfect mountain biking race that explores the fynbos covered mountains and whale-filled ocean. Each of the stages are named after a cultivar – you have the chardonnay stage, the pinotage stage and the shiraz.
This is definitely a “must-do” event for hardcore mountain bikers who have a keen interest in wine.
Where to Stay : Stay in the Cape winelands and combine it with a stay in Hermanus for whale watching.
Find out more about the PUFfer here : PUFfer Endurance Run in Cape Town
We trust you’ll enter one of these famous running and cycling events in Cape Town !
