South Africa
Lesotho
Namibia
Botswana
eSwatini
Zimbabwe
Date
Sat, 6 Feb 2027
Start 06:30
Verified
2027
Road
ASA · BOLA
27 for Freedom
Organised by Correctional Service Athletics Club
Verified 24 Sep 2026 · Last updated 9 Oct 2026
27km
10km
5km
Verified 2w ago — details confirmed by the organiser.
About this event
The 2027 27 for Freedom takes place on Saturday, 6 February 2027, from 06:30, at Drakenstein Correctional Facility in Paarl, Western Cape. Distances are 27km, 10km and 5km. Online entries are open. Details for this event have been verified by RunningCalendar.
6th February 2027 marks the 37th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s historic release from Victor Verster Prison (now the Drakenstein Correctional Facility) and the walk to Freedom after 27 years of incarceration. To commemorate the event, the Drakenstein Correctional Services will host the 15th annual 27 for Freedom Race day at the Drakenstein Correctional Facility outside Paarl on the R301.
For the serious runner, there is the scenic revised 27km run/walk (symbolic of the number of years spent in jail by the former president), or the 10km run/walk or the Freedom Route (5km). The day promises to be a family fun day of sports, history and entertainment. You will walk/run along the same route that was taken by Madiba as he left prison, from the Madiba House, Long Walk to Freedom, to the Madiba Statue at the entrance of the Correctional Facility. 2027 will be the 14th anniversary of the death of late President Nelson Mandela.
Distances & fees
Distances, start times, cut-offs and entry fees.
Saturday
6 Feb 2027
| Distance | Entry Fee | Temp Licence | Junior | Type | Start | Cut-off | Details | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27km Race | ZAR 250 | ZAR 100 | — | Road | 06:30 | 10:30 | |||||||||||||
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| 10km Race | ZAR 160 | ZAR 70 | ZAR 100 | Road | 07:00 | 10:30 | |||||||||||||
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| 5km Freedon Route Run/Walk | ZAR 50 | — | ZAR 30 | Run / Walk | 08:30 | 10:30 | |||||||||||||
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Temporary ASA licence fee — only payable if you are not a member of an affiliated running club.
Merchandise
T-Shirt
Event T-shirts for the road race will be sold online at R280.00
Price TBC
Cap
Event Caps for the road race will be sold online at R180.00
Price TBC
How to enter
Information on how to enter this event.
Online entries
Closes 27 Jan 2027 · or when sold out
Refunds
No refunds of entry fees
Substitutions
No upgrades, downgrades or substitutions will be done after the closing date of 27th January 2027.
Number collection
Collection venues, dates and times.
4 collection venues
Sportsmans Warehouse Paarl
Sportsmans Warehouse Rondebosch
Sportsmans Warehouse Somerset West
Sportsmans Warehouse Tygervalley
Open at all 4 on
Fri, 5 Feb 2027 · 10:00–18:00
Sportsmans Warehouse Stores (Paarl, Rondebosch, Somerset West, Tyger Valley)
Race Day Information
Practical information for race day.
Running with Earphones
No headphones permitted on the route — race rules.
Lucky Draw
Great Lucky Draw Prizes.
Handouts
Medals to all finishers.
Medical
Medical support stationed on route and at the finish.
Pets
No pets at the venue.
Prize Giving
10:30
Timing
Electronic chip timing.
Tog Bag
There will be tog bag facilities. Bags dropped off at runners own risk. The organiser will be not be held responsible for any loss or damages
Toilets
Portable toilets at the start, finish, and on the route.
Water Points
Refreshment stations will be situated approximately every 3 - 4km along the route
Refunds
No refunds of entry fees
Substitutions
No upgrades, downgrades or substitutions will be done after the closing date of 27th January 2027.
Route maps & elevation
Route maps and elevation profiles.
27km Race
10km Race
5km Freedon Route Run/Walk
Location
Where the event starts and how to get there.
Drakenstein Correctional Facility
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Contact the organiser
Organiser
Top Events (Nuha)
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Accommodation
Places to stay near the start. Booking through this map supports RunningCalendar at no extra cost to you. Affiliate
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