If there was ever a time to get back into running and explore the various Jacaranda running routes, it’s now. Why? Because the streets are purple, of course!

I love Jacaranda season in Pretoria. Everything turns purple and people tend to play outside more. Yup, locals and tourists pop out from all over and the streets – particularly in the Old East of Pretoria – are filled with youngsters riding their bikes, lovers taking late afternoon strolls, fit dads putting tekkies to tar, pushing the THULE strollers ahead, and elderly couples indulging in slow walks among the Jacarandas. It’s almost like with Christmas, when the city’s famous Lawley Street lights up with all kinds of Christmas decorations and lights. It’s an unspoken invitation for the community to crawl out of their comfort zones and enjoy some quality time outside. Or, to explore some beautiful jacaranda running routes.

So, I’ve put together four running routes in Pretoria for you to explore. These are some of the most beautiful running routes in Pretoria and they are perfect to run during the purple season. They can be adapted or done multiple times for you to reach your desired distance and while it might not be the exact kilometers, it’s close enough. The idea is to share some of the most scenic jogging paths Pretoria, South Africa has to offer. Not feeling fit enough to take on these routes? Trust me… You won’t even notice the distance as these stunning Jacaranda-lined streets in Pretoria are bound to distract from the challenge.

All these Pretoria jogging routes are circle routes – some starting and finishing at the lovely Greenlyn Village Centre in Menlo Park and some at the famous Union Buildings. Greenlyn Village Centre is central and a good base to start from and to end off at. They have a lovely Stodels Garden Centre, a couple of really cool restaurants and coffee shops, the Afriforum Theatre, an Oasis water shop for if you forgot your water bottle and even a Spar, brand-new Dis-Chem and one of my favourite fashion shops – Bloo The Studio – just across the road. The running routes starting here mainly take you through the streets of Brooklyn and a bit of Menlo Park, while the Jacaranda run from the Union Buildings takes you along Government Street and through gloriously purple streets that pass some of Pretoria’s most beautiful, older properties and many embassies. My mission was simple: to include some of the best places to jog in Pretoria during Jacaranda Season.

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Easy-Way-Out Purple Running Route

Distance: +-3km

From Thomas Edison Street, head right into 10^th Street, and then turn left into Mackenzie Street, where you will pass the Menlo Park Tennis Courts on your right. Then turn right in Farrel Street, left in Murray Street, left in Rupert Street, left in Marais Street and finally left in Stella Street, which takes you back to Mackenzie Street. From there, head straight back to where you came from, turning right into Thomas Edison Street and finishing your run at Greenlyn Village Centre again.

The View Is Better From The Top

Distance: +- 4km

For a stunning mid-week run, park your car at the Union Buildings and explore the streets of Eastcliff during Pretoria’s Jacaranda season. The Union Buildings’ gates are closed over weekends, but during the week you can still push it ’til 18:00 (well, I did even though most sites say they close at 17:00). From here, you can see a large part of Pretoria, painted purple all over! What I love most about this city running route is that it includes quite a couple of proper hills. So, if you’re building some strength for longer runs, this is the ideal Jacaranda run in Pretoria to tackle. Start right in front of the equestrian statue of General Louis Botha and run up straight to where Government Street turns back down into Dumbarton Road. From there, turn right into Harcourt, left into Thomas and then zigzag your way up again with East Avenue, Merton Avenue, Eastwood Street and George Avenue. After that, take a quick breather down East Avenue again and hit the first right into Osbourne Street. Right into Beckett for one last hill (and beautiful views if you’re willing to pause for a minute and look down towards Stanza Bopape Street) and then left into Government again for a final downhill towards where you started. If you’re keen on doing it twice, it’s certainly worth it and a great way to test your strength. Worried about the location? Don’t be! I run in Eastcliff all the time – sometimes with the dogs, other times without. If you keep within the boundary of these streets, you’re fine.

Yes-You-Can Jacaranda Running Route

Distance: +-5km

From Thomas Edison Street, head right into 10^th Street, and then turn left into Mackenzie Street, where you will pass the Menlo Park Tennis Courts on your right. Then turn right in Farrel Street, left in Murray Street and right in Rupert Street. From there, head left into Anderson Street. This street is not a Jacaranda-lined street, but rather White Stinkwood trees, bringing a welcome twist to an already stunning running route. If you decide to do the 5km, be sure to run it at sunrise, or late afternoon as the sun is setting. That way, you get to see the sun’s rays make the White Stinkwood leaves look see-through and simply beautiful. It truly is one of the best early morning runs in Pretoria during the Jacaranda Season. From Anderson Street, go left in Alexander for a short uphill, and then right in Marais Street. Then, go left in Stella Street, right in Mackenzie Street and back to Geenlyn Village Centre. Do this one twice and you’re ready for the next Spar Women’s Challenge!

Where to Run in Pretoria on a Saturday

Distance: +- 8km

From Thomas Edison Street, head right into 10^th Street, and then turn left into Mackenzie Street, where you will pass the Menlo Park Tennis Courts on your right. Then turn right in Farrel Street, left in Murray Street and right in Rupert Street. From there, head left into Anderson Street. From Anderson Street, go left in Alexander for a short uphill, and then right in Murray Street. Cross Jan Shoba Street and turn left in Roper Street (one of the streets that is truly famous for its Jacarandas heading in to the University of Pretoria’s campus). From there, turn left into Marais Street, and then left again into William Street. Take a right at Murray Street and then right again when you see Alexander Street. From there, head left into Marais Street, left again into Farrel Street and then right into Mackenzie Street. From there, turn right into Thomas Edison Street and end off your run with a cold one at Greenlyn Village Centre.

October and November is the best time to see Jacarandas in Pretoria and what better way to do so than running in South Africa’s Jacaranda capital? If you do try out these routes, remember remember to take pictures and tag SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY on Instagram and Facebook!)

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