Run the City: Finding Inspiration on an Art Run through Cape Town’s Silo District

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Avid runners will attest to the fact that running has numerous physical health as well as mental benefits. While running is sure to get your heart rate up and keep your body strong and healthy, it can also help improve your mental agility, ensuring you meet those deadlines or nail that boardroom pitch. What’s more, running has been found to prevent mental ageing, especially in functions like switching between tasks, selective attention and memory. Clocking your kilometres will also help you ward off depression, manage stress, boost concentration levels, and improve sleep quality. It is even thought that running may encourage the brain to generate new neurons. In addition to these mental health benefits, your running route can also add the inspiration you need to conquer your day.

This is why The Westin Hotel Cape Town celebrated Global Running Day on 5 June 2019 with a specially curated 5 km ‘art route’ run for local media and invited guests to enjoy. A worldwide celebration of running that encourages everyone to get moving, at any speed and over any distance, Global Running Day offers newbie and seasoned runners the perfect excuse to lace up those takkies and hit the road. The ultimate way to inspire creativity, the art focused route designed by The Westin Cape Town took runners through Cape Town’s Foreshore and the V&A Waterfront’s new Silo District, stopping at various at installations along the way.

Michele Mathison art — Michele Mathison’s sculpture in the Silo District forms part of the V&A’s Art in Public Places Programme.

“With a city as rich in culture as Cape Town, finding a running route that ticks all the boxes isn’t a tough task”, explains Leon Meyer, General Manager at The Westin. Setting off from The Westin Cape Town, the run offered a new way to explore Cape Town on foot. Home to the world’s largest museum of contemporary art, the Zeitz MOCAA, the Silo District offers a running route, for both beginners and veterans that, promises to get the creative juices flowing. Also, on the route are installations such as Ralph Borland’s ‘Ghost Sharks’, Es Devlin’s ‘Zoetrope’ and lifelike statues by artist Egon Tania in Roggebaai Square. “We are fortunate to have such a scenic city to run through, but nature is not the only place to take inspiration from when we are surrounded by world-class public artworks as the centre of Africa’s contemporary art world,” says Meyer.

A top choice for business and ‘bleisure’ travellers, looking to mix business travel with leisure time, The Westin Cape Town knows that balance is key, even when travelling for work. Keeping a balanced routine while you’re travelling can make all the difference: A restful evening, paired with an active morning and healthy refuelling options. Through the Westin brand’s Six Pillars of Well-being (Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well), the hotel makes it easier than ever before for guests to achieve balance while travelling.

Guests can enjoy a restful sleep with the brand’s iconic and award-winning Heavenly Bed while delicious and nutritious healthy in-room and restaurant menu offerings ensure guests are still able to meet their healthy eating goals while they’re away from home. Heading out for a run while travelling is also a breeze with The Westin. In addition to an on-sight gym, the hotel offers guests the opportunity to keep moving with Westin Gear lending which enables guests to pack light and stay fit by renting New Balance workout clothing and shoes for a nominal fee.

Once you’re done breaking a sweat, don’t forget to head up to Heavenly Spa by Westin on the 19th floor for a muscle relaxing sauna session with a view or a soul restoring spa treatment. Hotel guests are offered complimentary access to the spa facilities, including a heated infinity pool, jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room.

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With incredible views and luxury rooms coupled with a great location, The Westin Cape Town is a ‘bleisure’ traveller’s dream. The hotel offers easy access to the Cape Town CBD as well as Cape Town’s biggest tourist attractions, giving guests the facilities they need to get down to business and let their hair down to enjoy the Mother City after they clock out for the day.

For more information visit Westin Cape Town’s website.