Cape Town - Cape Town joggers never look particularly happy, but perhaps taking the scenic route will cheer them up.
Framed by Table Mountain on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, the V&A Waterfront’s 2.2km and 5km running routes are surely among the most picturesque in the country.
They begin at the Information Centre and snake past many V&A Waterfront landmarks including the Two Oceans Aquarium, the One & Only Hotel and the Cape Grace Hotel, before winding their way over the Bascule Swing Bridge, past the Victoria & Alfred Hotel, the Cape Wheel and the Amphitheatre before reaching the Table Bay Hotel.
From there, the route reaches the Breakwater and the Boardwalk Path, which offers various pretty lookout points where runners – and walkers – can take a breather as they soak up the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean and maybe even spot a frolicking seal or a pod of dolphins.
Runners then make their way to Granger Bay where the Cape Town Stadium will come into view, before finally heading back to the Information Centre. This is conveniently located next to Ferryman’s and Mitchell’s Ale House, so a well-deserved ice cold beer should go down a treat.
The 2.2km route is marked in yellow while the 5km run is marked in red and both are clearly signposted, making it easy for runners to track their distance. Free maps of the route are available from the Tourist Information Centre.
The V&A Waterfront is one of Cape Town’s biggest and most popular visitor attractions. Earlier this month it was the only South African – and only one of three nominated destinations in the world – at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Tourism for Tomorrow Destination Awards held at the 16th WTTC Global Summit in Dallas, Texas.
With Parkstad Limburg in the Netherlands emerging as the frontrunner, David Green, chief executive of the V&A Waterfront, said this was nonetheless a defining moment for the business: “That we were nominated by an organisation of the stature of the WTTC, alongside destinations such as Parkstad Limburg and Swiss Parks Network in Switzerland, is testament to the fact that our offering is comparable with the best in the world.”
Sixty-two countries across all continents submitted applications for this year’s awards.
In the first of three stages in the judging process, a committee of independent expert judges evaluated each application against sustainable tourism criteria, including community development, preservation of cultural and natural heritage and innovative solutions for sustainable practices.
The second stage involved an on-site evaluation of each finalist by the judges, who assessed each destination according to the business practices highlighted in its award application.
The V&A Waterfront was also the winner of the contested international award for best destination for responsible tourism at the World Travel Market in London last year.
The award was granted in recognition of the Waterfront’s commitment and leadership in not only preserving the heritage of the property, but also its forward thinking in terms of sustainable development.
So there’s something to think about as you run around.
Weekend Argus