Grape Run 2024

The Grape Run is arguably the most beautiful event of its kind in the Western Cape. The two races, over 21km and 14km, blend the roads of Constantia with the unique off-road experience of running in the Constantia wine farms on an early November morning. The farm paths are firm under foot, definitely not a trail run but more challenging that a road run. The 21km course provides a total of 445m of ascent while the 14km course provides a total of 290m ascent. The uniqueness of the event allows runners to enjoy the sights and beauty of the Constantia Valley and the historic wine farms through which the course winds.

Both races take runners around the lower dam of Groot Constantia before a challenging climb and stunning views at the top of the farm. While 14km runners make their way back down the hills of Groot Constantia before returning to the finish at the Alphen Common, 21km runners enter Klein Constantia and summit another hill to reach the peak of the race. Having reached this vantage point and taking in the sights of the breath-taking vineyards below, runners descend to Buitenverwachting’s Husseysvlei vineyard before ending their journey through the Constantia farms at Constantia Uitsig with 6km left of the race. 21km runners will get to delight in Groot Constantia’s vineyard one last time before returning to the finish at the Alphen Common. With the friendliest marshals, it is no wonder that past competitors have lauded the race as the most beautiful and enjoyable half marathon they have run.

As the event is run primarily on the paths and trails of the Constantia Valley wine farms, the event has been declared a plastic free event and with special permission of the WPA Road Running Commission, there are limited water stations. Runners are required to carry their own water bottles/cups.

The current course was first used in 2018 with course records of 1:14:22 for men and 1:33:11 for women set that year for the 21km race. The 14km course record for men was set in 2018 at 47:35 with the ladies’ record set in 2019 at 1:00:20. After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the races returned in 2021 with a minor adjustment to the race start.