The course first takes you to Paradise Road and onto Edinburgh Drive. From Kendal Road you make your way over the M3 Highway to Spaanschemat River Road. After some fairly flat running, the Ladies Mile Extension leads you to the leafy suburbs of Constantia, ushering you towards the rather long and notorious uphill of Southern Cross Drive. With a little determination and lots support along the way, you reach the top of this landmark, leaving just eight kilometres to go.

Here the half marathon joins the ultra route where you get a chance to bask in the ‘big event’ feel brought by the ultra runners. From Kirstenbosch with only four kilometres to go, thoughts will turn to the finish as you canter straight on down the hill.

The route continues along the cool and beautiful tree-lined Rhodes Drive. At the 19th marker board there is a sharp upward turn to the left into Union Avenue. Here lies a challenging little rise known by many names but relished by few. This final surprise at the end of the race is the closing punctuation mark. With the end finally in sight, Union Avenue is the double carriageway that takes you to the University’s rugby fields and the finish. Remain in the left-hand lane, with the majestic slopes of Devil’s Peak tower alongside as you enter the Upper Campus of the University of Cape Town and earn your finisher’s medal.

The well-attended Expo at the Convention Centre in Cape Town is open three days prior to the race. There are toilets, showers, food vendors and refreshments at the UCT finish. Parking is adequate and there is a tog-bag tent, beer tent with a big screen TV as well as a club gazebo area. An official race photographer is in attendance. A shuttle bus provides free transport from the finish to the car parks at the neighbouring schools.