Cape Town’s streets are about to feel a little different this weekend, not because of traffic, but because of thousands of runners taking over the city in one of its biggest annual races, Cape {town} Etc reports.
City of Cape Town/X
The Absa Run Your City Cape Town 10k returns on 10 May 2026, but this year comes with a noticeable twist: for the first time in its 11-year history, the race will end at the iconic Grand Parade, with Cape Town City Hall and Table Mountain setting the scene, as the City confirmed on their website.
It’s a change that shifts more than just the finish line, it reshapes the entire final stretch of the race and, for a few hours, the flow of the city itself.
The race will still kick off from Woodbridge Island at 9am, with runners moving through Paarden Island and entering the CBD via the N1 and FW de Klerk Boulevard. But once in the city, the route takes a new turn, looping through some of Cape Town’s most recognisable streets.
Athletes will pass the Coen Steytler Roundabout before heading into Lower Long Street via Walter Sisulu Avenue, then run up Long Street for just over a kilometre. From there, the route cuts through Wale Street, down Adderley Street and finally onto Darling Street, all leading to that grand finish in front of City Hall.
For residents and motorists, however, the excitement comes with a trade-off: widespread road closures.
Major routes like Marine Drive, sections of the N1, Christiaan Barnard Street, Heerengracht, Long Street, Wale Street, Adderley Street and Darling Street will all be affected for several hours on race day. Some closures in the CBD will begin as early as Friday evening to prepare for the event.
If you’re planning to move around the city on Sunday, this is one of those mornings where a bit of planning goes a long way.
Public transport users should also take note. Several MyCiTi Bus Service routes, especially those running through the CBD and toward Hout Bay and Hangberg, will be impacted.
To ease the pressure, organisers have arranged a dedicated shuttle system for runners. Buses will depart from the Golden Arrow Bus Terminus on Castle Street from 5:30am, with the last trip heading out at 8:30am. Parking will be available at the Golden Acre, although the Grand Parade itself will be closed to vehicles.
After the race, return shuttles will run from 10am to 1pm, taking participants back to Woodbridge Island.
The route change is more than just logistics, it’s symbolic.
Finishing at the Grand Parade places the race at the historic heart of Cape Town, a space long associated with public gatherings, celebrations and defining moments. It’s a move that brings the event closer to the city’s identity, not just its streets.
For runners, it promises a more memorable finish. For spectators, a more central and accessible viewing experience. And for everyone else, it’s a reminder of how big events can briefly transform the rhythm of Cape Town.
So whether you’re lacing up your running shoes or just trying to get across town, Sunday’s 10k is set to leave its mark, one street at a time.
Article by Aiden Daries for Cape ETC
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