Cape Town motorists can expect road closures in the City Centre and several MyCiTi bus service interruptions this weekend, as the Mother City prepares to host its annual Slave Route Challenge marathon.
Approximately 8,000 runners are expected to take on the streets of Cape Town on Sunday to take part in the 21km half marathon, a 10km walk or run and a 5km fun run.
Starting on Darling Street, in front of the iconic City Hall, 10km participants go through District Six, Gardens, Bo-Kaap and back into the city centre for a finish on the Grand Parade.
Runners in the half marathon take on a similar route through District Six, Gardens, Bo-Kaap, with an extra leg into Green Point before crossing the finish line on the Grand Parade.
The Slave Route Challenge is said to follow a course steeped in Cape Town’s layered past, retracing the paths once walked by slaves and honouring the city’s heritage.
“The Slave Route Challenge is more than just a race. It’s a journey tracing the history of Cape Town. It is an opportunity for participants to reflect on this history while also leading a healthy lifestyle,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith
The half-marathon runners set off at 07:00, with the 10km races following at 07:30 and the 5km at 07:40.
Historic landmarks runners pass through include District Six, Company’s Garden, Bo-Kaap, Green Point Urban Park, Fort Wynyard, the Whipping Post, Gallows Hill, the Slave Tree Plaque and the Castle of Good Hope.
Road closures and MyCiti routes impact
The race will affect several roads in the CBD and the surrounding area.
The following roads will be closed from 04:00 until 11:30 on Sunday, 1 June:
There will be lane closures, restrictions and deviations on the following roads:
- Roeland Street between McKenzie and St John’s Street;
- Orange Street between Government Avenue and Hof Street;
- Wale Street (both directions between Adderley and Buitengracht Streets);
- Long Street (right lane) between Wale and Bloem Streets;
- Loop Streets (right lane) between Bloem and Wale Streets;
- Somerset Road between Ebenezer and Chiappini Streets;
- Beach Road between Granger Bay Boulevard and the Hotel School;
- Granger Bay Boulevard between Fritz Sonnenberg and Beach Road;
- Prestwich Street between Chiappini and Ebenezer Streets;
- Riebeek Street between Adderley and Waterkant Streets; and
- Adderley Street between Riebeek and Wale Streets.
The race will also impact several MyCiTi routes on Sunday, 1 June 2025.
Route 101, 103 and 111
The section of Darling Street between Buitenkant Street and Plein Street will be closed from the start of services until 11:30.
Routes 101, 103, and 111 will be diverted onto Strand Street and Castle Street. During the road closure period, the following stops will be affected.
- Adderley – 101 (Southbound direction), 103 (both directions), and 111 (northbound direction)
- Lower Plein – (both directions)
- Lower Buitenkant Street – (both directions)
- Government Avenue – 111 (eastbound only)
Route 102
Darling Street, between Buitenkant Street and Plein Street, will be closed from the start of services until 11:30.
Route 102 will be diverted onto Strand Street and Russell Street. The following stops will be affected:
- Darling – both directions
- The Castle – both directions
- Hanover Street – both directions
- CPUT – both directions
- District Six – Civic Centre direction
Route 109 and 118
Somerset Road, between Ebenezer Road and Chiappini Street, will be closed (lane closure) from the start of services until 11:00.
In this section of the road, route 109 and 118 buses will miss the Alfred stop (eastbound direction).
READ MORE: Road closure in place in CBD for Absa Cape Town 10K
