Walk, run, ride and swim in solidarity with survivors of gender-based violence
A humble yet determined movement of slow-burn
solidarity – moving since 2020
Blocktober brings people together every October to walk, run or ride to the King’s Blockhouse on Table Mountain, Cape Town, to swim, or to complete a local equivalent. Link up with and support an organisation near you dealing with gender-based violence.
The aim is simple: solidarity with survivors,
awareness of gender-based violence and practical fundraising for survivor
support.
Plan your activities using the Roster
The 2026 Activity Roster lists the activities planned for October 2026 and lets you add your name. More people participating and knowing who plans to participate means better group safety. Further activities will be added when arranged, so check again through the month.
Using a phone? When you click on the ROSTER link above, you may need to open or install the free Google Sheets app, and sign in, before you add your name.
Need help?
Whatsapp:
- Join the general Blocktober WhatsApp group for Blocktober news and to share photos, or
- click Whatsapp next to the activities you have joined to chat with others and get updates.
The program below is for the King's Blockhouse on Table Mountain in October 2026. We encourage you to join wherever you are. Many do - such as cyclists in Kenya.
Activity options
WALKS
Mon / Wed / Fri • 16:30 End of Chelmsford Road, Vredehoek to the King’s Blockhouse. Location pin Walk coordinator: Clare Verbeek +27 72 338 1933.
• Sunday Solidarity hikes with survivors
start 8am: 4, 11, 18 & 25 Oct; and final solidarity hike Saturday 31 Oct.
Walk coordinator: Clare
Verbeek +27 72 338 1933.
• Saturday special events: 3, 10, 17
& 24 October, 08:00am from Rhodes Memorial. David Schmidt +27 82 853
2069.
RUNS
• Tuesdays 6, 13, 20 & 27 October,
17:40: Blockheads time trial from Pin Oak Rd (close to end of Chelmsford Road)
to the Blockhouse and back.
Paul Jacobs: +27 83 708 3678
RIDES
• Thursdays 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29
October, 7am from Rhodes Memorial bottom gate to the King’s Blockhouse, and Tuesdays
6, 13, 20 & 27 October, 17:40pm: from Chelmsford road, Vredehoek, to Blockhouse.
Jean du Plessis: +27 82 317 7148
SWIMS
• The swim programme is on the Blocktober Activity Roster. If more swims are added you’ll find them on the Roster. Read more about Blocktober swims here.
LOCAL EQUIVALENT
- Can’t join on Table Mountain? Move wherever you are. Aim for about 300 m ascent over 7.5 km - or swim for 13 minutes in the cold Atlantic ocean or 31 laps in the pool.
- Nairobi / Karura Forest: join Kenyan Blocktober leader Sam Kagiri samkizarts.ke@gmail.com
To record individual Blocktober activities, not part of the pre-planned group activities, please join a Blocktober Strava Club, and post pictures on the general Blocktober Whatsapp group.
CAMINO BLOCKTOBER
This year Blocktober walkers are doing the 320 km Camino Primitivo from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
To report an incident of abuse in South Africa, call
- the Saartjie Baartman’s WhatsApp number 076 470 9314
- Rape Crisis: 021 447 9762
- Lifeline: 0800 150 150
- Childline: 0800 05 55 55 (24h) or
- the National Shelter Movement Helpline: 0800 001 005
