Taking on the Drakensberg

  • Alice Morrison

Last updated: 04-Jan-17

By Alice Morrison

A new race is on the calendar for 2017 to take place in the Drakensberg mountains of South Africa. The inaugural Ultra Trail Drakensberg is a 100km trail running challenge that will form part of a festival of trail running in the Southern Drakensberg on 29 April 2017.

The Drakensberg is one of the most beautiful areas of South Africa and will provide the most stunning backdrop for the weekend of racing. This is one for the bucket list.

As well as the 100km, the weekend’s programme includes the 62 km Giants Cup Uncut (GCU) and the  30 km Sundowner Run (SDR). The Ultra Trail Drakensberg (UTD) trail run will go up Sani Pass before traversing the escarpment via Twelve Apostles, Khanti Ridge, Gxalingenwa Gorge, Hodgson’s Peaks, Garden Castle, Rhino Peak and Langalibalele’s Pass.

It takes in 4400 m of vertical climb and  the altitude is between 1600m and 2865m.

The event has been confirmed as a 5 point ITRA qualifier for the iconic Ultra Trail Mont Blanc.

Entries have been strictly limited for all three events, with the 100km UTD catering for a maximum of 300 runners and the 62km GCU and 30km SDR open to a maximum of 150 runners each.

"Entries have been strictly limited for all three events"

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