One Route, 102 Runs, Thousands of Reasons to Celebrate: Benguela Cove parkrun Turns Two 

Date: Saturday, 21 March 2026 | Event #102 | Benguela Cove Wine Estate, R43, Hermanus, Western Cape 

Two years ago, a small group of runners, walkers, and volunteers gathered at the edge of the Bot River Lagoon and set off on what would become one of the most-loved free 5K events in the Overberg. Today, the Benguela Cove parkrun turns two - and this Saturday, we celebrate every single person who made it happen. 

Over 100 events in, this community has covered thousands of kilometres across gravel tracks, through the vineyards, and along the single-track path that skirts the lagoon. Runners have set personal bests, juniors have found their stride, dogs have bounded ahead of their owners, and volunteers have shown up - week after week - to make it all possible. 

That last part matters more than most people realise. 

What the Benguela Cove parkrun Is (If You're New Here)

Every Saturday at 8:00, the parkrun gathers at Benguela Cove on the R43 between Hermanus and Kleinmond. The 5K course runs on a mix of gravel tracks and grass paths through the estate's working vineyards, with a short section along the lagoon's edge - a route that brings runners back each week not just for the fitness, but for the view. 

It's free. It's timed. And it's open to everyone, regardless of pace. 

To take part, you register once at parkrun.co.za, bring your barcode, and show up. That's it.

After the run, most people head straight to the Benguela Adventure Centre for a post-run coffee or the breakfast special at Blackbeard’s Diner - which has become as much a part of the ritual as the start line itself. 

The Numbers Tell a Story 

Since the first event in 2024, the Benguela Cove parkrun has welcomed: 

• Hundreds of first-timers, including runners completing their very first-ever parkrun
• International visitors from the UK, Ireland, Australia, Dubai, Zimbabwe, and beyond
• Junior runners who have grown up on this course
• Dedicated volunteers who have given 25, 50, and more volunteer stints - some from the very beginning 

The community stretches well beyond Hermanus. Visitors from Cape Town, Somerset West, Kleinmond, and Hawston make the drive regularly. Tourists heading to the Overberg build a Saturday morning parkrun into their itinerary. Seasoned parkrun tourists - those who collect different courses across the country - consistently mark Benguela Cove as a highlight. 

To Every Volunteer and Marshal: This One's for You 

Parkrun doesn't run without volunteers. Run Directors, timekeepers, barcode scanners, tail walkers, marshals - none of it happens without the people who give up their Saturday morning to make sure everyone else gets their result. 

The Benguela Cove parkrun has been built, event by event, on the backs of a small group of dedicated individuals. Some have been there from the start. Others stepped in at short notice when the team was stretched. A few have volunteered through rain, mud, and the kind of summer heat that makes standing in a field feel heroic. The positive impact on our community is clear. 

To every runner, volunteer, and marshal who has toed the start line over the past two years: thank you. 

Your Anniversary Gift 

As a thank you from Benguela Cove Wine Estate, we're offering the parkrun community an exclusive reward: 

• 15% off dining at Moody Lagoon Restaurant
• PLUS, 10% off wine tastings, tours, and experiences in the Tasting Room 

Claim your voucher now. It takes less than a minute, and you deserve it. 

Moody Lagoon Restaurant sits right on the water, with views across the Bot River Lagoon that look best after a Saturday morning run. The Tasting Room pours estate-grown wines - Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon - all from vineyards you've been running through for the past two years. 

See You at the Start Line 

The Benguela Cove parkrun runs every Saturday at 8:00 am. Ample parking is available on the estate. Dogs are welcome on the course - just bring water for them on hot days. 

Want to volunteer? Email benguelacove@parkrun.com - the team always needs support, and every role counts. 

Here's to the next two years.