Cape Town road closures: 30,000 runners, 20 events and a weekend of detours

Cape Town road closures will hit parts of the city hard over the weekend of 16 to 18 October.

Around 30,000 runners are heading for the city centre.

Thousands more people are expected at matches and community events across the metro.

And if you’re planning to drive anywhere near the CBD on Sunday morning, you’ll want to plan ahead.

The City of Cape Town has approved 20 events between Friday, 16 October, and Sunday, 18 October, with around 100,000 participants and spectators expected across the metro.

The biggest disruption will come on Sunday, 18 October, when the inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon takes to the streets.

THE NELSON MANDELA MARATHON

According to Cape Town Tourism, the event includes four races: 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km.

The races will start at staggered times between 05:30 and 08:30, and all four will finish at the Grand Parade.

Starting in Strand Street, the routes pass some of the city’s best-known landmarks, including District Six, Parliament, the Company’s Garden, Bo-Kaap and Green Point.

WHEN WILL CAPE TOWN ROAD CLOSURES START?

Some closures start on Saturday.

Darling Street will close between Corporation Street and Buitenkant Street from midday on Saturday, 17 October.

It will only reopen at 05:00 on Monday, 19 October.

On race day, closures will be introduced in phases, and motorists should expect disruptions between 04:30 and 13:30 on Sunday.

Strand Street will close between Adderley Street and Castle Street from midnight, reopening at 10:30.

In Sea Point, roads including Beach Road and Main Road will be affected between 05:00 and 12:00.

ROADS AFFECTED ON SUNDAY

Roads affected by closures or disruptions include:

• Darling Street
• Strand Street
• Adderley Street
• Heerengracht
• Somerset Road
• Main Road, Green Point and Sea Point
• Beach Road, Sea Point and Mouille Point
• Hanover Street
• Constitution Street
• Chapel Street
• Drop Street
• Voetboog Road
• Yusuf Drive
• Marine Drive
• Vlei Road
• The Lower Church Street onramp

WHICH ROADS WILL STAY OPEN?

Not every road will close completely.

Beach Road will run one-way through Sea Point and Mouille Point, with local access managed on site.

Main Road will keep one traffic lane open through Sea Point.

The city-bound lanes of Adderley Street and Heerengracht will stay open for most of the morning.

GETTING AROUND ON RACE DAY

The City will run free MyCiTi shuttles for marathon runners.

If you’re not running, the best advice is to avoid the city centre, Green Point and Sea Point on Sunday morning, if you can.

OTHER EVENTS THIS WEEKEND

The marathon isn’t the only event in town.

The Stormers are also playing a European rugby match, and other events are taking place in Green Point, Athlone and other parts of the metro.

That means traffic could be busier than usual around venues throughout the weekend.

TIPS FOR MOTORISTS

• Plan your route before you leave, and check for closures on the route you usually take.
• Allow extra time if you’re travelling through the city centre, Green Point or Sea Point.
• Follow the instructions of traffic officials on the ground.
• Avoid Sunday morning trips into the CBD, unless they’re essential.