running

The Satori Camel Run is a new 10mile (16km) running race through Noordhoek and its surroundings. 2008 is the first year that this even is being run and the final route has not been finalized yet. However, the website refers to beach, road and mountain running. Part of the race will be through the Cape Point Vineyards and there are prizes for King and Queen of the mountains at the top of a hill in the vineyards.

The Table Mountain Challenge is a 35km trail running race around Table Mountain. It is extremely popular, and because there is a relay option even beginners can take part in the event. The route is really beautiful and for any trail runner this is a wonderful event.

Tafelberg is the road to the Cable Station on Table Moutain but it continues for about 6km along the base of Table Mountain and around the bottom of Devils Peak. At the base of Devils Peak the road is closed to all vehicles so it is popular among walkers, runners and cyclists.

Montrail and CapeStorm collaborate to organize 'Trail Series' competitions each of which are made up of several trail running races. Competitors accumulate points according to their performance in each of the runs in the series and at the end of the series winners are decided based on points.

There is a wonderful paved walkway stretching from the Lighthouse in Greenpoint till the far end of Sea Point (with a little bit of road walking I have walked from the V&A waterfront to Camps Bay safely and easily).

The Hout Bay Trail Challenge is a 35km trail run through the mountains around Hout Bay. It is a tough event and as such there is also the option to run it as a relay team of 3. The scenery is beautiful and the Hout Bay Trail Challenge is very popular - entries are taken very quickly.

The Milkwood Half Marathon is run annually on a late April Sunday in Kommetjie. The route is undulating and very scenic as it moves along the coast near Kommetjie. Starting at the Soetwater recreational area the course takes runners through Kommetjie, past the lighthouse, up the long hill of Slangkop and then along the Misty Cliffs to Scarborough before returning to the start.

The annual Gun Run is perhaps Cape Town's best known half-marathon (competing with the Two Oceans Half). The route starts and ends at Hamiltons Rugby Club in Moullie Point. Runners pass through the V&A Waterfront, the CBD, past parliament, Green Point and along the promenade.

The Old Fisherman's Trail Challenge is a trail running race between Hout Bay and Fish Hoek. The race begins and ends on the beach but includes climbing over the mountains (Kalk Bay, Silvermine and Blackburn Ravine) between these suburbs - at least 650m vertically!

There is a path that can be followed around Lions Head for a hike or run. The path starts at the normal point for a hike up Lions Head. From there runners/hikers can choose which way they would like to proceed around the mountain.