Cape Town named SA’s most picturesque running city

Beautiful Cape Town has been named South Africa’s most picturesque running city, with Durban and Pretoria also taking spots in the Africa category.

South Africa has some of the most breathtaking landscapes on the continent. Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria have been named as three of the most-picturesque running cities in Africa. According to a study done by SportsShoes, Cape Town is ranked the second most picturesque running city in Africa behind Lagos, Nigeria. Durban and Pretoria ranked in the fourth and fifth spots. 

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HOW THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED

SportsShoes analysed over one million Instagram hashtags for 600 cities to compile their list of the world’s most picturesque running cities. In their study, the United Kingdom’s capital city, London, leads the way with 96 414 hashtags. 

Following closely behind is the “windy city” aka Chicago in the United States with 56 963 Instagram hashtags. 

Lagos is the only African city in the top 20 with 15 005 hashtags. 

TOP FIVE MOST PICTURESQUE RUNNING CITIES IN THE WORLD:

1. London, England – 96 414
2. Chicago, United States – 56 963
3. Boston, United States – 54 609
4. Houston, United States – 50 182
5. Melbourne, Australia – 38 209

LAGOS DOMINATES THE AFRICAN RANKINGS

The publication highlights that Lagos, Nigeria was awarded the top spot due to the annual Lagos City Marathon, which hosts more than 80 000 runners every year. 

A “crowd favourite” for Lagos is a route that goes over the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge. The 1.36 kilometre bridge is a landmark in Lagos, offering runners an incredible view of the ocean. 

Banana Island is also a top running spot in Lagos. The artificial island, also known as a Billionaire’s Paradise, got its name from the shape of the island. According to Mansion Global, it’s home to some of Nigeria’s richest families. 

TOP 10 MOST PICTURESQUE RUNNING CITIES IN AFRICA

1. Lagos, Nigeria – 15 005
2. Cape Town, South Africa – 7 361
3. Cairo, Egypt – 2 053
4. Durban, South Africa – 1 087
5. Pretoria, South Africa – 640
6. Ibadan, Nigeria – 598
7. Nairobi, Kenya – 261
8. Accra, Ghana – 122
9. Casablanca, Morocco – 63
10. Abuja, Nigeria – 32

By: Naledi de Wee