The route

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52 kilometres, subject to the mountain

The route may change

The route may vary due to conditions, so we never provide a GPX file.

It can change at short notice for weather, for ground conditions, or by agreement with the landowners whose land we cross. The route will be well marked and there will be crew at every critical turn point.

Route profile

The race starts at 1 800 metres, reaches its highest point at 2 680 metres (8 793 feet) and has an average on top of 2 560 metres. The cumulative climb is approximately 1 600 metres.

The route starts and ends in the village of Rhodes. The traditional distance is 52 kilometres, subject to conditions.

Most of it above 2 500 metres

Leg by leg

Rhodes to Mavis Bank Farm, approximately 13km

The race starts in Rhodes, heading up the Bell River towards Naude’s Nek pass. It crosses the Bell River and then follows the Kloppershoekspruit towards Mavis Bank.

Into the Kloof, and up

At the Mavis Bank Farm check point the route moves into the Kloppershoekkloof. A suitable route along footpaths and livestock trails is marked with flags. After multiple crossings of the Kloppershoekspruit, runners face Mavis Bank itself, a steep climb at roughly one in three out of the valley.

The top of Mavis Bank, approximately 21km

There is a four and a half hour cut off at the top of Mavis Bank. Runners who fail to reach the Border Road check point inside four and a half hours must abandon the race.

The Border Road to Tiffindell

Once on the Tenahead to Tiffindell traverse, traditionally known as the Border Road, the route follows the track to Tiffindell, past Lesotho View.

The Quarry, approximately 29km

Just below Ben MacDhui, the second highest peak in the Eastern Cape at 3 001 metres, and past Tiffindell, the fourth feed station sits in the Quarry. Runners who fail to reach the Quarry check point within six hours of the start must abandon the race.

Hooggenoeg and the tufts of terror

Depending on conditions and agreements with the landowners, the route heads around Hooggenoeg and over the tufts of terror. At Hooggenoeg the route joins the road down towards the Carlisleshoekspruit.

The descent, and home

Then it is mostly downhill through the valley, but do not be fooled. It is a steep, knee jarring descent, one in 2.3 in places. Once past the final feed station at Den Hagen Farm it is an easy meander back over the Bell River and into Rhodes. Be prepared for the final hill into the village, past the police station.

Cut offs at a glance

2 hours 30 minutes

4 hours 30 minutes

6 hours

9 hours

With thanks to the landowners

The route crosses private farmland. It exists at all because the landowners of this valley allow us to use their land, every year, in the worst weather of the year. We are grateful to them. Please treat their land, their stock and their fences with the respect they deserve.