Free trail running events calendar

Event organisers: To have your event listed on this page, or to appear as a highlighted Promoted Event more than one month in advance, click here for info, including required formatting.

Runners: Get the full South African trail running events calendar in TRAIL 37. It’s available in digital format. We include some of the top international events of interest to South Africans too.

Promoted Wed 28 Oct – Sun 1 November KZN The iKhulu Trail Run. 100km/50km. Gugulesizwe, Maputaland. A unique running experience along the unspoiled Maputaland coastline. Pristine beaches, rolling sand dunes and breathtaking views in a rarely-found remoteness. therunningcompany.co.za Wed 28 – Thu 29 October EC Otter African Trail Run. 5km/42km. Storms River. Run the reverse route west to east from Nature’s Valley to Stormsriver Mouth with 2,600m of ascent, 11 hour cut-off. otter.run Fri 30 & Sat 31 October EC Otter African Trail Run. 5km/42km. Storms River. Run the reverse route west to east from Nature’s Valley to Stormsriver Mouth with 2,600m of ascent. Cut-off extended to 9 hours! otter.run Sat 31 October EC Dassie and RockRat Trail Runs. 6km, 10km. Storms River. Over rocks, roots, pebbles, through riverbeds and up steep climbs. Start 8:30am. R200/R240. otter.run Sat 31 October FS 4 Peaks Mountain Challenge. 10km, 24km. Moolmanshoek Private Game Reserve. Unsupported race over four distinct peaks. Extreme mountain running equivalent to an ultra. R150/R1,300. 4peaks.co.za Sat 14 November EC K-Way SkyRun. 38km, 65km, 100km. Wartrail Country Club, Lady Grey. For experienced mountain runners. Self-navigated event in Witteberg range. Start 4am. skyrun.co.za Sat 14 – Sun 15 November WC Drinkwaterskloof Trail Run. 18.5km/17.5km. Mont Blois Wine Estate, Robertson. Spectacular singletrack, mountain streams and views, on exclusive private property. Start 7am. R2,900. entryninja.com Sat 21 November KZN Stagger Trail. 21km, 38km. Sani Pass. Challenging, authentic mountain trail experience in Maloti Drakensberg World Heritage Site, with 1,580m and 980m of ascent. Start 6:30am. R360/R430. sanistagger.co.za Fri 8 – Sun 10 January  WC  KnysnaX Trail Series. 9km/7km, 15km/11km, 26km/21km. Pezula Resort. Spectacular trails at inaugural event. knysnaxse.co.za Fri 23 – Sun 25 April KZN Ultra-Trail Drakensberg. 21km, 30km, 62km, 100km, 160km. Premier Resort Sani Pass. The first 100 miler in the Drakensberg, traversing the Southern Berg. ultratraildrakensberg.com

Sporting events are still currently restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many trail running events have been cancelled or postponed, and we have indicated these where we are aware of them. Please check on the organisers’ websites to confirm.

Trail running events in October 2020

Tue 8 September – 31 October VIRTUAL

#5k4kin Run. 5km. Run, walk, skip, jump 5km. Make a donation. Nominate five other to do the same. All funds go to Kin Culture (144-620). Help us run the perimeter of South Africa. strava.com

Wed 28 Oct – Sun 1 November KZN

The iKhulu Trail Run. 100km/50km. Gugulesizwe, Maputaland. A unique running experience along the unspoiled Maputaland coastline. Pristine beaches, rolling sand dunes and breathtaking views in a rarely-found remoteness. therunningcompany.co.za PROMOTED

Wed 28 – Thu 29 October EC

Otter African Trail Run. 5km/42km. Storms River. Run the reverse route west to east from Nature’s Valley to Stormsriver Mouth with 2,600m of ascent, 11 hour cut-off. otter.run PROMOTED

Sun 29 Oct – 8 Nov NC Cancelled

Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon (KAEM). 26km/33km/39km /79km/45km/26km. Cover 248km over the desert on foot. kaem.co.za

Thu 29 Oct – Sun 1 Nov WC Cancelled

Dryland Traverse. 7km/33km/23km/11km. De Hoek Mountain Resort. Run the Klein Karoo, prologue through Cango Caves. Solo or team. drylandtraverse.co.za

Fri 30 – Sun 1 November FS

WILDSERIES Golden Gate Challenge. 18km/19km/17km, 27km/29km/18km. Golden Gate National Park. Three days of beautiful and challenging mountain running. Start 6am. wildseries.co.za

Fri 30 & Sat 31 October EC

Otter African Trail Run. 5km/42km. Storms River. Run the reverse route west to east from Nature’s Valley to Stormsriver Mouth with 2,600m of ascent. Cut-off extended to 9 hours! otter.run PROMOTED

Sat 31 October EC

Dassie and RockRat Trail Runs. 6km, 10km. Storms River. Over rocks, roots, pebbles, through riverbeds and up steep climbs. Start 8:30am. R200/R240. otter.run PROMOTED

Sat 31 October FS

4 Peaks Mountain Challenge. 10km, 24km. Moolmanshoek Private Game Reserve. Unsupported race over four distinct peaks. Extreme mountain running equivalent to an ultra. R150/R1,300. 4peaks.co.za PROMOTED

Sat 31 October INT Cancelled

Lesotho Ultra. 38km, 50km. Maliba Lodge, Lesotho. Ultra-sky marathon in the Maluti Mountains with 2,500m vertical gain. Start 5:30am. lesothoultratrail.com

Sat 31 October GP

Four Seasons. 2.5km, 5km, 10km, 15km. Cowhouse Market, Hazeldean. Farm surroundings and bushveld next to the Pienaarsriver. Routes change each season. Start 16:30pm. R60-R160. entryninja.com

Sat 31 October WC

Halloween Forest Night Run. 5km, 10km. Muratie Wine Estate, Stellenbosch. Be fearless: eerie night dressed in ghoulish costume! Start 7pm. R135/R155. dirtopia.co.za

Sat 31 October WC

Gamka Heritage Challenge. 11km. Karoo Water Guest Farm. Scenic and challenging run in foothills of Rooiberg. Start 8:40am. R80. entryninja.com

Sat 31 October WC

Darling Brew Trail. 6km, 12km, 21km. Darling. Run jeep and singletrack from the brewery, with views of the sea and Table Mountain. Start 7:30am. R125-R300. entryninja.com

Sat 31 Oct – Sun 1 Nov LIM Cancelled

Wolkberg Trail Run. 5km, 10km, 25km, 20km/15km, 40km/25km. Haenertsburg. Unique experience staged over two days. Summit the highest point in Limpopo: The Iron Crown. Vertical gain 1,800m. Start 7am. R120-R5,100. wolkbergtrailrun.co.za

Trail running events in November 2020

Sun 1 November KZN

Train with Eric. 30km, 40km. Zizamele High School, Cato Ridge. Join TRAIL cover athlete and UTCT champion Eric Ngubane for a training run in the Valley of a Thousand Hills. Coke and water provided. Start 6:30am. R100. Facebook.com

Sun 1 November WC

Trail Series Phantom Rally 5. 5km-20km. Complete your run on any day of November to compete on the leaderboard. Route supplied and run tracked via free app. R100-R120. trailseries.co.za

Sun 1 November KZN

Coastal Series Zululami Seaton. 5km, 10km, 15km. Zululami Luxury Coastal Estate. Stunning sea views, forest boardwalks, pristine beach. Start 7am. kzntrailrunning.co.za

Sun 1 November WC

Table Mountain Challenge. 15km, 23km, 44km. UCT Tennis Courts. Full circumnavigation of Wonder of the Natural World. Start 6am. R250-R395. energyevents.co.za

Sun 1 November GP

Nissan Trailseeker #6 Cullinan. 5km, 10km, 21km. Cullinan Sport Grounds. Challenging terrain on blissful trails. Well-stocked feed stations. Start 7am. R110-R250. trailseekerseries.co.za

Fri 6 – Sun 8 November LIM

Leshiba Trail Run. 5km/10km/10km, 15km/25km/25km. Leshiba Wilderness. Boutique trail running experience in abundant game reserve. Mix and match distances to suit you. R5,500. trisport.co.za

Fri 6 – Sun 8 November VIRTUAL

Special Stage Run. 5km/8km/4km, 10.5km/15.5km/12.5km. Get as much vertical gain each day in the assigned distance. Most vert wins! outdoorenthusiast.co.za

Sat 7 November KZN

Long Pool Camp Trail Run. 12km, 21km. Nyala Pans River Lodge. Inaugural event in Umkomaas Valley, set on the banks of the Mkomazi River. facebook.com

Sat 7 November WC Cancelled

Marloth Mountain Challenge. 10km, 25km, 35km, 55km. Marloth Nature Reserve, Swellendam. Remote mountain hiking trail, 3,494m vertical gain, needs experience. Start 6am. mountainchallenge.co.za

Sat 7 November WC

Grootvadersbosch Trail Run. 15km, 34km. Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve. Fairyland of indigenous forests, giant Redwoods, endemic fynbos, lush river valleys and streams. R550, R980. Start 7am. quantumadventures.co.za

Sat 7 November WC

Meerhof Trail Run. 5km, 10km. Meerhof Wines, Riebeek Kasteel. Short family run with medal, or longer 18+ age run with wine to finishers! Start 7am. R50/R150. entryninja.com

Sat 7 November WC

Redstone Trail Run. 11km, 20km. Redstone Hills Guest Farm, Kruisrivier. Don’t miss the most Scenic routes in the Calitzdorp area. Start 8:40am. R80/R170. entryninja.com

Sat 7 November WC

Jonkershoek Mountain Challenge. 11km, 24km, 38km. Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, Stellenbosch. Quartzite cliffs, mountain streams and waterfalls in an incredible mountain run. Part of the Mountain Challenge Series. Start 7am. mountainchallenge.co.za

Sun 8 November KZN

Summer Series Honey Trails. 5km, 10km, 15km. Bothas Hill. Views, forest, grassland. Start 7am. kzntrailrunning.co.za

Sun 8 November WC Cancelled

Scorpio Trail Run. 6km, 11km. L’Avenir Wine Estate, Stellenbosch. Last event of run series with sting in the tail? Start 7:30am. dirtopia.co.za

Sat 14 November KZN

Gooderson Drakensberg Gardens Challenge. 7.5km, 15km, 20km. Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Spa Resort. Enjoy the spectacular Southern Berg, with crystal clear river crossings and sublime single track. Start 9am. R100/R140/R160. wardevents.co.za

Sat 14 November EC

K-Way SkyRun. 38km, 65km, 100km. Wartrail Country Club, Lady Grey. For experienced mountain runners. Self-navigated event in Witteberg range. Start 4am. skyrun.co.za PROMOTED

Sat 14 – Sun 15 November WC

Drinkwaterskloof Trail Run. 18.5km/17.5km. Mont Blois Wine Estate, Robertson. Spectacular singletrack, mountain streams and views, on exclusive private property. Start 7am. R2,900. entryninja.com PROMOTED

Sun 15 November KZN Cancelled

King of Phezulu. 5km, 10km, 20km. Valley of 1000 Hills. Tough courses through game reserve with giraffe, zebra, and wildebeest. Start 7am. kzntrailrunning.co.za

Sun 15 November EC

Tavcor Trail Run. 5km, 12km, 17km. Tavcor William Moffet, PE. Lesser-known part of beautiful Baakens Valley. Start 8am. R120-R190. bigosports.co.za

Sat 21 November KZN

Stagger Trail. 21km, 38km. Sani Pass. Challenging, authentic mountain trail experience in Maloti Drakensberg World Heritage Site, with 1,580m and 980m of ascent. Start 6:30am. R360/R430. sanistagger.co.za PROMOTED

Sat 21 November GP

WildJoburg Summer. 5km, 10km, 20km. Thaba Trails. Tough and exhilarating trails in the city. Start 7am. R150/R200/R250. wildjoburg.co.za

Sat 21 November WC

TrailFun Simonsig. 5km, 10km, 20km. Simonsig Wine Estate. Spring Series. Enjoy a run through the vineyards. Challenging longer routes. 7am. R120-R150. trailfun.co.za

Sat 21 November GP

Rotsvas Trail Run. 3km, 10km. Rotsvas Moolman, Pretoria. Technical trail for outdoor fun. Start 8am. R50/R150. entryninja.com

Sun 22 November KZN

Summer Series Dusi Trails. 6km, 12km, 20km. Ashburton Training Centre. Wild valley trails. Start 7am. kzntrailrunning.co.za

Sun 22 November WC

STF Bartinney 2 Bartinney Trail Run. 12km, 20km. Church Street, Stellenbosch. Start in the historical core of Stellenbosch and finish at the beautiful Bartinney Wine Estate. Some funds to Stellenbosch Trail Fund and Banhoek Conservancy. Start 7:15am. R225-R650. entryninja.com

Fri 27 November WC Postponed to 12 March 2021

Dust4Glory. 5km, 10km. Wilgewandel Holiday Farm, Oudsthoorn. Klein Karoo. Mountains with heavy incline at night. Obstacle course races available on morning after. dust4glory.co.za

Sat 27 – Sun 29 November EC

Merrell Hobbit. 5km, 16km, 38km, 47km/43km. Arminel Hotel, Hogsback. Magnificent indigenous forests, river crossings, and huge waterfalls. 90km over two days or other distances on Saturday. R140-R4,000. mountainrunner.co.za

Sat 28 November WC

UTCT Special Edition. 25km, 25km, 50km. Gardens Rugby Club. The main event is cancelled, but you can still run with UTCT! Take on the Devil’s Loop (1,750m vert), Atlantic Loop (1,450m vert), or both (3,200m vert). Limited to 500 runners. ultratrailcapetown.com

Sat 28 & Sun 29 November WC Cancelled

Ultra-trail Cape Town. 21km, 35km, 65km, 100km. Cape Town. Traverse the mountains of the beautiful Cape Peninsula that include sections of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Signal Hill, Orangekloof, Llandudno, Hout Bay, the Constantia Winelands, upper slopes of Kirstenbosch Nature Reserve, and Devil’s Peak. Start 5am. R1,080-R4,250. ultratrailcapetown.com

Sun 29 November WC

Rhebokskloof Trail Run. 3km, 5km, 10km, 21km. Rhebokskloof Wine Estate, Paarl. Lots of great activities and entertainment on the day. Start 7am. R80-R200. paarlonline.com

Sun 29 November KZN Postponed to 6 December

Saint Giles Trail Run. 4km, 8km. Virginia Prep School. Hidden jewel in the Durban North suburb. Singletrack through beautiful tropical forests. Start 7am. R60/R90. wardevents.co.za

Sun 29 November GP

Nissan Trailseeker Legends MX. 5km, 10km, 21km. Legends MX, Pretoria East. Rocky, sandy running up koppies and past war ruins. Start 7am. R130-R280. trailseekerseries.co.za

Trail running events further ahead

Fri 8 – Sun 10 January  WC 

KnysnaX Trail Series. 9km/7km, 15km/11km, 26km/21km. Pezula Resort. Spectacular trails at inaugural event. knysnaxse.co.za PROMOTED

Fri 23 – Sun 25 April KZN

Ultra-Trail Drakensberg. 21km, 30km, 62km, 100km, 160km. Premier Resort Sani Pass. The first 100 miler in the Drakensberg, traversing the Southern Berg. ultratraildrakensberg.com PROMOTED

See more events in your copy of TRAIL 37, where we list 68 trail running events from October to December 2020.

Get your trail running event listed

Click here to have your event listed in the print and digital versions of TRAIL magazine. Up to 100 events are listed every issue.

Please use the format and order of information above when you send us your event details.

As you might know, listing in the print calendar is free as a service to all events, and our readers.

For  PROMOTED  website listings more than a month ahead of race date or for more visual exposure through an event banner, or as a banner in our weekly newsletter emailer, the fees below apply.

There are six options:

1. Website text listing in final month before your event. FREE
2. Website text listing longer than one month ahead. R599 once-off.
3. Website text multiple dates (eg series events). R599 first event, R399 per event date thereafter.
4. Website banner (728×90 pixels horizontal, on this calendar page only), as a jpeg or animated GIF. Includes single event text listing (option 2 above). R1,399
5. Emailer text listing R299 single listing, or R1,250 for five issues anytime in 2020, or R2,400 for 10 issues anytime in 2020. Same text format as on this page. See emailer samples here. 
6. Emailer banner (600×200 pixels horizontal) R699 first issue and R599 thereafter. R599 for each additional event in the same mailing.

No limit to the display duration for any of the above options. Start promoting your event as early as you want. All prices shown are a once-off fee, excluding VAT. Prices valid to the end of 2020.

Email Deon Braun for other marketing options for your event, including boosted Facebook posts, and posts to Instagram and Twitter, and for product promotions in our email newsletter.