Sweat. Joy. Gel packs. Grit. Camaraderie. A heartbeat in sync with strangers.
Running may be physical, but it’s also deeply mental and emotionally charged. It’s a conversation between body and mind and somehow, paradoxically, a group sport. Nike gets that. And this past Two Oceans Marathon weekend, they didn’t just show up, they set the pace.
With insights drawn from running crews both casual and elite, Nike launched a new shoe but also celebrated a cultural moment. The shoe was the Vomero 18, their most advanced cushioning tech to date. But beyond product, they orchestrated a series of high-energy activations all under one powerful banner: Run for Our Mother City.
The Expo | Where Play Met Performance
Cape Town Stadium’s underground parking lot lit up as runners pulled in to collect their race packs but this wasn’t just another pickup point. Nike’s activation transformed the Expo into a high-energy creative playground.
Think: A retro claw crane arcade machine (yes, with real prizes); on-site treadmills to test out the new Vomero 18sa (and maybe to set a PB); a leg muscle relaxation bar; a sneaker wall featuring the Vomero 18 alongside a mapped-out route from Newlands to Constantia, Hout Bay, and beyond; a custom dri-fit screen-printing station: iconic Mother City landmark back prints, your chosen Nike mantra up front (“Gone running, be back soon” / “I Hate the first KM, Love the Last .”)
You could tell it wasn’t just about the gear, it was about crafting a space where runners and their crew could tap into the culture, feel the energy, and kickstart their weekend with purpose.
The Shakeout Run: From the Waterfront, With Love
Just before sunset on Friday, Union Castle Building’s plaza – home to Nike’s V&A Waterfront flagship -flipped into the ultimate launchpad for a 5K pre-race party-meets-run. Picture long lines that could’ve been at a sneaker drop or music festival, as runners collected their tees with some already rocking the Vomero 18s and the brother, the Pegasus.Live.
Sets by Mbasa aka iGhxst Bunny and Solosworld kept the crowd hyped, and the city looking stunning bathed in golden light.
From creatives and corporates to seasoned marathoners and first-timers, the turnout was a masterclass in community energy. Wayne Le Roux, former illustrator, designer and founder of Running Late Club, a community for ‘Everyday Athletes’, helped lead the charge: “It’s never too late to go after things,” he told us.
“Running Late Club came from a personal journey of me pushing through mild depression a few years ago. I had an idea of wanting to make running cool again, inclusive again. Because it’s never too late to change a city, chase a dream, start training for a marathon or do a 5K.”
As hundreds of runners looped through the V&A Waterfront, weaving past landmarks like the Cape Wheel, The Watershed, and the Aquarium, cutting through the Clock Tower and Silo District.
Somewhere between the beats and the Zeitz Mocaa, the red-and-black Nike double-decker bus stood tall as a hydration station and a mid-run photo op.
As the pack made its way back to the starting line, they were met again with live DJ sets, snacks, and that unmistakable post-run buzz. The vibe was emotional and electric – enough to make you rethink how you spend your Friday nights.
Casual runner Esethu shared: “I’m not doing the full race this weekend, but I came for the people. This keeps me moving and helps make the km’s easier.” Nearby, Yande another participant laughed between sips of water and added: “Nike brought the vibes. I brought the energy. Met some fire humans on the dancefloor too.”
The Dinner: Vue & Vibes at Heritage Square
Post-Shakeout refuel and Carbo-loading ahead of the marathon was a level-up: a private dinner hosted at the newly opened Vue at Heritage Square, led by Chef Vusi Ndlovu and the ultimate host Absie Pantshwa. From reimagined braaibroodjies to dreamy desserts, the food was elite.
From reimagined braaibroodjies to dreamy desserts, the food was elite.
Dishes were served casually, family-style and echoing the spirit of community that pulsed through the Shakeout. Both Keith Ncongo from Haibo Strength Club and Mahlasela Ka Nhlengetwa shared that their one word for the experience is “fantastic.”
No rigid seating chart. No over-curation. Just world-class food that whisper “chef’s kiss” in every bite, drinks, great hospitality and warm, pre-marathon conversation.
As we say in culture: “That was too good. Can we get the bill, please?”
Race Day: 17,000 Runners, One City Pulse
“The rule is: if you don’t run, you cheer,” expressed Mahlasela Ka Nhlengetwa through a mini loudhailer, hyped up and in full Nike kit. Easily one of the weekend’s most electric personalities, he turned the sidewalk into a stage and made sure no one stood still.
On Saturday and Sunday, Cape Town became a canvas of movement. People came from all over the world to see where two oceans meet. On these days, we saw runners from Joburg, Kenya, the UK and beyond lace up. The streets were draped in Nike red and blue, with the Nike-wrapped double-decker bus standing like a beacon at the 52km mark – part checkpoint, part celebration.
Here, at the Cheer Zone, DJs like Senhora and Not A She kept spirits high, joined by a hype squad including brand reps from Nike SA, there not as staff, but as fans, friends and fuel for the runners.
Seeing Nike South Africa’s actual team in the crowd, hands up, cheering hard? That hit different. It wasn’t marketing, it was love. And when exhausted runners cracked a smile mid-stride, just from that energy? The swoosh really showed up in a special way.
The swoosh really showed up in a special way
The Afterparty: No Finish Line, Just a New Beat
If the Shakeout Run was a warm-up, the afterparty was the ultimate final sprint (on the dancefloor).
Nike curated a sonic dream lineup that platformed Cape Town Djs: DJ Abu, Julian Gomes, Dwson, Surreal Sessions, Miss Shelly, Dave Beats, and a surprise set by ScottTheGirl when runners wanted to keep the vibe going.
Thabisang, a Joburg-based runner, summed it up best: “You have to keep moving. If you sleep now, recovery hurts more. The cheer stations gave me life—and now we’re dancing it out.”
Held in the heart of the city, the afterparty closed the loop. From the starting line to the stage. From personal bests to shared stories.
For us at 10and5, it marked a major moment for running culture.
There Is No Finish Line
The shared passion for running stayed at the core all weekend long — emotional, unfiltered, and most of all, together. For us at 10and5, it marked a major moment for running culture.
“Every finish line is the start of the next race. Though we part ways, we’ll meet at the next one,” Mahlasela said, closing out the weekend on a note that hit right in the chest.
With the Vomero 18 as the hero and Cape Town as the canvas, Nike celebrated the race, they celebrated running but they also celebrated the people who showed up. For the kilometres. For each other. For themselves. Because this city runs deep. And in Cape Town, running is art. Medal Monday at Sea Point Promenade? Just sealed the deal.
Watch the video of what went down on Instagram Reels.
* Stay tuned to 10and5 for the latest culture and events news in your city.
– Article by Star Shongwe, photos by Jacques van Straten for Between10and5
