JACARANDA RUN 2026 - LINDEN RUNNER NPC

2026 JACARANDA RUN™ INFO

Registrations for our 2026 JACARANDA RUN™ are officially open! We once again partnered with the Howler team to offer seamless registration for our event.

The event entries will be capped for both all distances and will sell out within a few days. Kindly enter early to avoid missing your favourite community running event.

Few highlights ahead of your 2026 JACARANDA RUN™:

This year we included a 5km walk, and we have new routes for our 10km and 21km. It is not as fast as before since we will stay within Linden, Risidale and Darrenwood to show you some new Jacaranda-lined streets! Our 1okm will remain our flagship distance and the 21km will this year ‘flip and reverse’ like a good braai, so we make sure we test your legs on both sided. See maps for 3 distances below.
The route will be marked and Marshalls will manage busy intersections, but this is a self-navigated run. Ensure you download and familiarise yourself with the route. Download GPX Files below to your devices.
There will be 4 x Waterpoints on the 21km, and 2 x water points on the 10km route, and 1 water point on the 5km route. WP1 @ 3km will have coke & water; WP 2 at 6.5km will have food, coke and water. Since the 21km route will flip and reverse after 10km, you will pass the same initial 2 waterpoints on your way home on the second lap.
Kindly note that this is a green event – No cups or sachets will be supplied at the WP’s. Bring your own foldup /recycle cup to reuse at the Water Points.
We only accept pre-registered and paid entries. There will be no entries sold on the day.
Your limited edition pair of Jacaranda Run Sox worth R160 has been included in your entry fee. Every walker and runner will receive a pair at registration.
No refunds on entries. (VERY IMPORTANT NOTE!)
We max our capacity for the whole event to 400 people max.
Registration and collection will be on Friday 16/10/2026 from 5-7pm, and on Saturday morning from 5-5.45am. We highly recommend you come through on Friday to collect your gift bag and number to avoid congestion on Saturday.
Bring your Howler entry confirmation along to registration – digital is fine.
Substitutions are allowed if the person brings the above-mentioned documents along. Without it, no sub will be done.
Important Notice!! No BULK fetching of gift bags and numbers. Why? Each person must sign the indemnity on the back, and understand the terms of our event – our admin registration must ensure this is completed and signed by each person participating in the event.
This year we will again hand out event numbers – purely to make it easier for you to find your race images on SMacPix after the event.
Parking on Saturday will be limited. Kindly Uber, park and run from Linden, or carpool with buddies. If you do opt to drive, be early to avoid congestion. Gates to the Linden Bowling Club will open at 5 am.
This year, Linden Runner will donate 5% of all funds raised from the Jacaranda Run event to the upkeep of the parks in the area you will run through: Mushroom Park, Mozart Park, Darrenwood Nature Reserve and Emma Park. The community of Linden, Risidale and Darrenwood have self-funded the upkeep of these green spaces, and our contribution will help regular clean-up operations and security upkeep.
We will have a staggered start. 21km @ 6am, 10km @ 6.15am, 5km walk @ 6.30am.
Big finisher area with boerierolls and cold drinks, and alcoholic beverages for sale at the Bowling Club clubhouse.
We aim to offer local businesses and sponsors exhibition areas at the finish. Kindly email admin@lindenrunner.co.za to book your spot.
Club gazebos are most welcome, provided there is prior arrangement with the Linden Runner.

2026 ENTRY FEES

21km: R370

10km: R300

5km: R250

*Each entry fee already includes the cost of your limited-edition pair of Jacaranda Run Sox. There is no added admin fee or donation call at the end of the entry process.

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GIFT BAG & COLLECTION

This year your gift bag will include a limited edition 2026 JACARANDA RUN™ Sox, samples and vouchers from business in our community. Gift Bag collection could be done in the following time slots:

Friday 16 October 2026 @ 5-7pm.

We HIGHLY recommend you come on this time slot to enjoy the process, hook up with mates and enjoy the sunset with a cold drink from our Bowling Club lawns.

Saturday 17 October 2026 @ 5-5:45am (will close 10min before the start)

This option will allow for the last minute folks and those who have to travel far. Do not leave your collection to last minute, this will avoid handling bottlenecks and we kindly ask that you try and get everything done on Friday.

PARKING

We have VERY limited parking available at the Bowling club and in 3rd street in Linden. If you do arrive with a car, be there at 5am when gates open. Carpool, Uber or warmup runs to the club are highly recommended.

2026 JACARANDA RUN ROUTES

5km Jacaranda Walk Route

We have decided to add a 5km walk through Linden to include everyone in our community. This is an opperuntity to invite family and friends to experience the Jacarandas in Linden’s most picturesque streets. This is not flat route, so be sure come prepared!

Walk start time: 6.30am

A total elevation of 70m. The route will start with with a tough climb up and over 3rd street before you dip down to 9th. 9th street also offers some of the most beautiful Jacaranda trees in Linden and will host WP1. From here you will turn back up in a Jacaranda flower covered 5th Avenue, over the last little climb to 4th street and sprint down to the finish at Linden bowling club where your supporters await! Walkers and beginner runners welcome!

There will be 2 aid stations on this route:

3km WP1 @ 9th Street – water and coke

Finish: 5km route will end at our Clubhouse – finisher drink, toilets, and cash bar available.

Important note: Any children entering the walk must be supervised by their parents or guardian at all time. We caution parents with prams and walkers to be clearly visible and apply standard pedestrian safety rules. There will be a sidewalk available on majority of this route.

5km – Download GPX file here

1Okm Jacaranda Run Route

We decided to showcase the lovely suburbs of Risidale and Darrenwood as part of this route. With this route, you will pass 4 green parks in this area, which is home to some of the most beautiful trees and birdlife in our city. You will also pass under one of the oldest Jacaranda trees in Risidale, and she’s majestic! This route also incorporates our 8km TT route with the revenge of Solerno hill, or The Irish Revenge, towards the end. Nearly every hill is a Strava section, so we suggest you start training!

Run start time: 6.15am

A total elevation of 130m, which is a lot steeper than our previous editions. The route will start with a tough climb up 3rd Street before you dip down to 9th. 9th Street also offers some of the most beautiful Jacaranda trees in Linden and will host WP1. From there you will turn back along the 5km route but then do a left turn into the top of Risidale. You will run up and around Mushroom Park, fondly so named for the Mushroom structures in the play park. Back in 1970, Mushroom Park even had a public swimming pool (remains can be seen at the top of the parking area). The route will follow along Verdi Avenue, and down into Mozart Rd, where Mozart Park will host WP 2. Here you can replenish under a big tree in the park, before cutting down to Risidale Primary and then passing under the old and very big Jacaranda tree. Be sure to take enough pictures here!

We have included some of the lesser-known streets in this area; pass by landmark Carvers Restaurant and Darrenwood Nature Reserve, home to Darrenwood Dam, known for its birdlife. From here, on its working your way back past Emma Park, up ‘THE’ Irish Revenge hill back into Linden, left into 4th Street and sprint down to the finish at Linden Bowling Club.

There will be 2 aid stations on this route:

3km WP1 @ 9th Street – water and Coke
8km: WP4 @ Mozart Park – water, Coke, banana and snacks

Finish: 10km route will end at our Clubhouse – finisher drink, toilets, and cash bar available.

Ps. Yes, we know you get more value with an extra 450m added, but we suggest you stop your watch at 10km if you want to officiate your own PB. Strava would, however, list your fastest 10k if you keep recording the entire run.

10km – Download GPX file here

21km Jacaranda Run Route

Instead of doing a double loop (every runner’s nightmare), we opted to flip and reverse the 10km route for a unique running experience. This means, like with Ironman, you will run back past the 10km runners so they can offer some much-needed support on the difficult sections. We must admit, the reverse of this route is actually quite pleasant and especially rewarding heading home down 3rd Street as a finish sprint!

Run start time: 6.15am

We have included some of the lesser-known streets in this area; pass by landmark Carvers Restaurant and Darrenwood Nature Reserve, home to Darrenwood Dam, known for its birdlife. There will be a left-turn loop added here at Durham Road, ONLY for the 21km athletes.

From here, continue working your way back past Emma Park, up ‘THE’ Irish Revenge hill back into Linden, left into 4th Street.

TURNAROUND will be further down in 4th Street; we are not that evil to take you all the way back to the club ; ). You will turn at the marshalled cone, receive your armband and then head back onto the same route but in reverse. So all the hills you hated will now be down! And you will pass all the 10km runners still coming. Be sure to smile wide and bright and look your best! You will then also pass all the water points in reverse, ending with the aid station on 3rd Street.

Your last climb will be a steep 4% gradient back up into the top of Linden before turning left into the glorious 3rd Street downhill to carry you home.

The Smackpix crew will be placed along the route to capture your best action moments, so big smiles when you see them, and to greet our friendly residents along the route.

There will be 4 aid stations on this route:

3km & 18km WP1&4 @ 9th Street – water and coke
6.5 km & 14km: WP2 & 3 @Mozart Park – water, coke, banana and snacks. This WP will be passed twice.

Finish: 21km route will end at our Clubhouse – finisher drink, toilets, and cash bar available.

21km – Download GPX file here

A few rules:

Note that this IS NOT A RACE. Its a friendly club run/walk event and we invite all runners from neighbouring clubs and our community to join and experience our jacaranda covered streets as we celebrate this unique natural occurrence every year.
The route will be well-marked this year with lump green and white flags and minimal turn signs on the route. Familiarise yourself with the route before the run.
Only pre-registered athletes and walkers will be allowed at the start. No new registrations are available on the day. The event will be capped. Online registrations will be closed on Thursday 15/10/2026 or once maximum capacity has been reached for both distances.
Limited parking will be available at the club. We suggest Uber, carpool and a ‘run from home’ warmup.
All athletes must complete and sign the emergency information and indemity on the back of the race number. This must be worn on the front of your shirt.
For those with serious allergies, wear your ICE id and make sure you carry all your own medical supplies with you.
Make sure you have loaded the map on your GPS watch or phone. The route will be discreetly marked, but we expect every runner to follow the correct route outlined.
There will be minimal marshals on the route – practise general pedestrian safety when running or when you cross busy intersections.
WP’s will use a cup and water dispenser system. We urge runners to use their own foldup/reusable cups at WP’s. No littering will be allowed, make sure you place any papers or cups neatly in the bins provided.
This club run is self-timed, and both routes are segments on Strava where you can claim the QR since the reverse run is a new course! There will be prizes for QOM, KOM, and fasted King and Queen course records loaded to Strava for both the 10 and 21km.
There will be no AG prizes, no ASA numbers are needed and no timed results will be supplied post-race. We strive to provide the ultimate ‘COMMUNITY FUN EVENT’ to show off our beautiful neighbourhood and Jacaranda trees lining our streets.