CAPE TOWN TO HOST WORLD MOUNTAIN AND TRAIL RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Cape Town will host the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in 2027.
Following the announcement by World Athletics, Cape Town will become the first African city to host the international mountain running competition.
“It is always exciting when a major athletics event is staged in a new continent for the first time, and this is no exception,” says World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.
“Cape Town hosting the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships marks not only an exciting opportunity for the local area, but also for the sport as a whole. This will be the fifth global athletics event held in Africa within a 10-year period, and I have every faith that Cape Town will prove to be spectacular hosts of these championships.”
The successful bid was a joint application by Golazo South Africa, Athletics South Africa and Western Province Athletics.
Iconic Table Mountain
The Mother City’s iconic Table Mountain, one of the one of the New7Wonders of Nature, will be the spectacular backdrop for the championships from 6 – 10 October 2027.
With trails featuring significant elevation changes, the Table Mountain chain will provide runners with a formidable route with some of the most breathtaking views.
Runners will face steep ascents and descents, particularly on Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, presenting a tough yet rewarding challenge.
“There is surely no better backdrop to this prestigious event than our very own Wonder of the Natural World, the iconic Table Mountain,” says Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
“But runners should not be fooled by her beauty and her fame – Table Mountain’s rugged trails and steep elevations will pose a stern challenge to elite runners and mass participants alike. I cannot wait to welcome this wonderful event to Cape Town in October 2027, and to show the world why the Mother City is rightly considered one of the mass participation sports capitals of the world.”
World championships
It is estimated that about 1200 runners from more than 80 nations will compete in the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships races in 2027, while more than 2000 runners will take to the start line for the mass participation events.
There are four senior championship races with individual and team medals awarded in each: classic (up and down), uphill, short trail and long trail.
Along with an U20 championship race, there will also be mass participation and side events, allowing amateur runners to experience the thrill of the event.
There will also be a variety of terrains, from rugged, technical paths to fast descents, offering a diverse and challenging experience for runners of all levels.
One of the biggest rewards will come in the form of the unparalleled panoramic views of the city, the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding mountains.
Hosting the prestigious mountain running competition will add to Cape Town’s reputation as a major running events destination.
