The breathtaking trail run
52 kilometres of snow, ice and mountain above the village of Rhodes
Join The experience
The Rhodes Run, South Africa’s iconic breathtaking trail run, is staged in the tranquil beauty of the southern Drakensberg mountains in the Eastern Cape Highlands, surrounding the Victorian era village of Rhodes.
The atmosphere before and after the race is extremely festive. It is common for the temperature at the start to be below zero, usually around minus 10 degrees Celsius.
In the true spirit of trail running there are no financial prizes, other than a few floating trophies. All our runners are treated equally with the same pre and post race hand outs, which in themselves are usually rather special.
Lonely Planet called it scenic torture
They were not being unkind. The Rhodes Run is a race against the mountain, the weather and yourself, run in the coldest week of the South African winter, at altitude, on ground that offers nothing back. It is also, by common agreement of the people who keep returning to it, one of the most beautiful places you will ever suffer.
Why they come back
The Snowflake
Finish three Rhodes Runs and you are given a permanent number, and with it a blue Snowflake. Twenty runs turns it mauve. Thirty turns it gold. There is no shortcut and no way to buy one.
The traditions
Church bells at dawn. A bottle of Old Brown at the finish. Cracking the ice on the Bell River with your toe before you go in. Thirty five years of them, and every one still observed.
The village
Rhodes is the only heritage village in the Eastern Cape. Fewer than 1 500 people, no fuel station, and roads that will not be rushed. Most runners bring their families and stay the week.
The Run in numbers
Run colours
Since 1989
Entries for the 37th Rhodes Run open soon
Entry details for 2027, including meals, merchandise and the local runner contribution, will be published on the Entries page. Leave us your email address there and we will tell you the moment entries open.
From the mountain
The Run gives back
Our partners
We are reviewing all partnerships for the 2027 event. Please contact us if you are interested in partnering with us.
Latest from Rhodes
Contact us
- Rhodes Village, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- +27 74 203 0162
- annalize@rhodesrun.co.za