Finding a running club in Cape Town is not for the faint-hearted. 

Will I fit in? Will I be left behind on Long Street? Will I accidentally join something way more serious than I signed up for, emotionally? Which reminds me, will my situationship be there? These are the thoughts that plague you as you lace up your shoes and question every life choice you’ve made since 8am.

Introducing the Rabbit Run Cult Club…bring your bunny ears!

So once again, I volunteered myself as tribute – showing up in my finest ‘I run sometimes’ outfit, so you don’t have to. I braved the after-work energy slump, the Bree Street chaos, and the terrifying idea of a social run that starts at a bar (yes, I had a drink before my run, which I don’t recommend). 

This month, I headed into the city to check out Rabbit Run Cult – the edgy running community that laughs in the face of elapsed time and the self-expression of heroes…and bunny ears are encouraged. 

Who: Rabbit Run Cult
Where: Gypsy Rabbit, 110 Bree Street, Cape Town
When: every Thursday (except First Thursdays)
Meet at 6pm | Run starts at 6.30pm
Distances: 4km or 6km
Leaders: Mish and Monya
Support: 2 sweepers + 2 pace-setters on every run
Instagram: @rabbit.runcult
Strava: Rabbit Run Cult

The Vibe
If run clubs had personalities, Rabbit Run Cult would be the friend who says, “Just come – no pressure!” and genuinely means it. This is very much a ‘run if you can; walk if you need’ club. ‘There’s a beer at the end’ kind of pace. Less performance, more performative. But in a good way. I’ve never seen such cool outfits on runners. 

I arrived at Gypsy Rabbit to a mix of personalities, most of them sporting an array of tattoos (but it’s not a requirement… I checked!). Some runners were already holding drinks, others were tying laces with questionable commitment. There was no frantic watch-checking or hushed elite-athlete energy. People chat. People introduce themselves. A rare sight in Cape Town.

Before setting off, the captains (Mish and Monya) explain the route and how the group works: clear, simple, non-intimidating. They start with a group stretch before everyone leaves together. The group rolls out into the city streets, many of their heads adorned with rabbit ears. Within minutes, you realise this isn’t about pace – as you stop at the first of 25 traffic lights, and wait for the Cape Town commuters to pass you by. 

At the 2km mark, the 4km squad turns back, while the 6km crew pushes on towards the V&A. No drama. No hierarchy. No judgment. The sweepers hover calmly at the back, keeping an eye on anyone who needs support, while the pace-setters guide gently from the front. No one is left behind. No one is rushed. No one pretends they’re training for the Olympics.

Unless I’m there. Then I like to run at the front and stress out the pacer, in order to assert dominance.

Philosophy
Eat. Sleep. Drink. Repeat. Rabbit Run Cult knows exactly who they are, and they’re not trying to be anything else. This is a community-first club, where running is simply the glue. It’s about showing up for yourself, and for others, with no pressure to perform or even to have a Strava account (horror!). 

They Said…
“Either you run the day, or the day runs you.” – Mish
“Community is where home is.” – Monya

In the Clubhouse
The clubhouse is Gypsy Rabbit, and frankly, it does a lot of heavy lifting in the motivation department. Post-run smash burgers, cold drinks and a buzzing Bree Street backdrop turn the ‘cool-down’ into a full social affair. People linger. People eat. And most importantly, a post-run bezza is strongly encouraged.

Members
Rabbit Run Cult averages 30 to 50 runners per week, with a diverse mix of ages, abilities and experience levels. The club is free to join, open to all, and walking is permitted for the less experienced.

Want to be next? Send Rachel an email at clubs@qbf-agency.co.za

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