8 Annual Races That Take Place in South Africa

South Africa is not only a place to enjoy our beaches, drink our wines and see our wildlife, it’s also a place where athletes can test their resolve on a range of races. South Africa plays host to a range of racing styles from road running, cycling, trail running, iron man challenges and more.

The country also offers a  diverse and wonderfully scenic route not only for trail runners and but for many routes for road runners and cyclists.  It is no wonder we have so many annual sports events all over the country – each of them enticing not only local athletes but also athletes from all over the world.

If the introduction was enough to convince you and you want to get started on your planning your next race in SA then we’ve got you covered. Here is a list of 8 annual races in South Africa that you should definitely be a part of.

Races across South Africa
Run your next race in South Africa

  1. Comrades Marathon

The ultra-marathon appeals to some of the world’s strongest runners who have to run 89km between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. The race sees tens of thousands of people entering each year, with plenty more spectators there for support.

For more information check out their website – Comrades Marathon 

  1. Two Oceans Marathon

This marathon consists of both an ultra-marathon of 56km and a half-marathon of 21km, and both are held in Cape Town over the Easter weekend. Runners get to appreciate plenty of Cape Town scenery along their route which ends at the UCT campus. Each year is a sell-out, with more or less 16000 people taking part in the half marathon and 11000 people taking up the challenge of the ultra-marathon.

For more information check out their website – Two Oceans Marathon

  1. Ironman African Championship

One of the world’s toughest triathlons consisting of a 3.86km swim, 180.25 cycling and ending off with a marathon run of 42.2km – this race is not for the weak-willed. Each year, this event attracts thousands of people from all over the world. One of the best things about this race is the fact that every single person who finishes the race within the time-frame is given the Ironman title.

For more information check out their website – Ironman African Championship

  1. 27 for Freedom 2018

All the events start in front of the statue of Nelson Mandela at the beginning of his “walk to freedom” and progress through a scenic route that passes the Madiba House. The 27 km route continues through the neighbouring wine farms to finish on the sports arena near the entrance. But 27 for Freedom is more than a running event. It is an experience everyone should participate in at least once in their lifetime.

For more information check out their website – 27 for Freedom

  1. The Beast Trail Run

The Beast caters towards experienced, fit trail runners, offering entrants 50km of spectacular scenery within the Table Mountain National Park. This is without a doubt the toughest 50kms in South Africa.

For more information check out their website – Energy Events

  1. Hout Bay Trail Challenge

The Hout Bay Trail Challenge is one of the hardest trails runs South Africa has to offer. Get ready to have your endurance, fitness, strength and technique tested right up until the finish line.

Enter individually or as a team of three with each member doing one leg. The route circles the mountains around Hout Bay. The trail is roughly 40km with an excess of 2500m climbing. This trail commands to be taken seriously.

For more information check out their website – Hout Bay Trail Challenge

  1. Sanlam Cape Town Marathon

This marathon has grown into a prestigious event attracting running enthusiasts ranging from running elites to social runners. The route offers the chance to take in the spectacular natural beauty of Cape Town’s mountains and sea as well as the city’s other superb attractions.

The 42.2km route is wheelchair-friendly, with the 6.5-hour cut-off time considering the social runner. The marathon sees 10 000 runners pushing their boundaries.

For more information check out their website – Cape Town Marathon

  1. Color Run Cape Town

Founded in 2011, the Color Run is the world’s first 5km colour run. Since its commencement, it has become one of the world’s largest running series. This year sees The Superhero Tour well on its way.

Your ticket gets you:

  • Retro 80s headband
  • 2017 Superhero Tour official runners t-shirt
  • R150 coupon for Takealot.com
  • Bag of colour powder
  • Temporary happy tattoo x2

For more information check out their website – The Colour Run

The Race to South Africa

If you are a runner, trail runner, cyclist, fitness enthusiast or would just like to have a little bit of fun and get some exercise, well there is a race for you. The races mentioned above are on various levels of intensity and whether you run competitively or socially you’ll find a race that suits your style and will give you the level of challenge you’re looking for.

This is only the tip of the iceberg with plenty of new races being added to the calendar each year and all those exciting races happening all over South Africa, the consequence might be you never leaving this country and making it your home.

To find out more about races across South Africa check out Eveready or VibeScout for more.

Speak to a professional

We are able to help you with all Visa Applications in South Africa. We also feature a Free Online Assessment to help you determine your current status and which steps to take next. Contact Le Roux Attorneys today to assist you in applying for your study visa in South Africa.

Contact Le Roux Attorneys, South African Visa specialists about your visa application. Start by selecting one of the enquiry options below

Posted in blog, Explore SA, Fall in love with SA, Play in SA, Visit SA and tagged , .

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *