“This isn’t just a race,” says RMB Ultra-trail Drakensberg (UTD) race founder and event director, Spurgeon Flemington. “It’s a moving celebration of human potential against one of the world’s most spectacular natural backdrops.”
This weekend (25-27 April) showcases the 8th UTD event, providing some of the country’s finest trail competition in the country’s highest and largest mountain range – the Drakensberg, Dragon’s Mountain, uKhahlamba or the Barrier of Spears.
Names from diverse cultures describe the iconic landform and UNESCO World Heritage Site, combining South Africa’s ukhahlamab Drakensberg National Park with Lesotho’s Sehlathebe National Park into the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Park.
The Park was granted World Heritage Status for two reasons – its outstanding natural landscapes, and its cultural wealth of San Rock art – echoing the ‘people in nature’ theme which defines the UTD as much, if not more, than any other race on the continent.
UTD 8 remains with its successful formula of recent years, offering a range of trail running adventures over 100 miles, 100km, 65km, 36km and 25km, with the popular five-day trail hike along the Giant’s Cup Trail providing the backbone for four of the five races.
This trail festival extraordinaire in the Southern Berg incorporates, either as part of the race or as backdrops, some of the legendary features of the Southern Drakensberg such as Sani Pass, Twelve Apostles, Khanti Ridge, Hodgson’s Peaks, Garden Castle, Rhino Peak and Langalibalele’s Pass. In short, participants in RMB Ultra-trail Drakensberg will experience mountain running at its very finest.
The most significant ‘upgrade’ to the event is the introduction of a title sponsor for the first time, largely a result of the close partnership over the years between the RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town and the RMB Ultra-trail Drakensberg.
“Having RMB on board will enable us to elevate UTD and allow it to fulfil its true potential,” said Flemington. “Their support translates into an enhanced experience for all of our athletes and we are especially pleased with the substantial increase in prize money we are now able to offer our podiums (a total purse of R161 000 is on offer). Trail runners have had to accept relatively low purses compared to their Road Running peers over the years but RMB’s support is allowing us to close this gap.’
“We can’t wait to welcome runners back to the Southern Drakensberg,” Flemington continued. “To share the incomparable landscape of the Southern Drakensberg and Lesotho with runners from all over SA and beyond is a privilege we never tire of.
“From humble beginnings in 2017 with just 250 participants, UTD has seen steady growth to over 900 athletes across five distances this year, reflecting trail running’s surging popularity as the world’s fastest-growing sport.”
From the outset, UTD has promoted community-based partnerships with a range of local organisations and farmers volunteering to staff the refreshment stations, act as marshals and become involved in a range of other race activities.
It has also worked closely with local conservation authorities, contributing substantially to the important conservation work in the region. Part of each entry fee goes directly to environmental protection, including R170,000 annually to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW), custodians of Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site. In addition, RMB’s sponsorship has strengthened the event’s relationship with WildlifeACT, who do crucial work protecting endangered species in the Southern Drakensberg.
Importantly, UTD has helped to discover and develop talent from rural communities around the Drakensberg. Through their partnership with LIV2Run, a KZN-based organization which has built a senior team of athlete coaches, each competing in high-level races and coaching their own team of junior athletes, UTD has guided young athletes not just in running but in their personal growth too.
On the racing menu…
The UTD Miler (160km) – The ultimate test begins in Lesotho near the Sani Pass border on Friday, April 25 at 09:00. These endurance titans tackle over 4,500m of elevation gain with a 45-hour cut-off. Witness the front-runners triumphantly arrive at Race Village from 06:00 on Saturday morning.
Athletes to watch
- Nicolette Griffioen (Predicted overall winner): Dominant and dialed over long-haul mountain efforts. 1st at RMB UTD160 2024, Magoebas 50km Ultra 2024, and RMB UTCT 100km 2023. Nicolette brings a lethal mix of pacing precision and terrain control — a true queen of South African trail ultras.
- Kennedy Sekhuthe (Policeman from Roodeport): Grit and growth at altitude. 5th at MUT Miler by UTMB 2024, 7th at Maxi Race 75km 2024, and 14th at SkyRun100 2024. Kennedy has quietly built a formidable miler résumé — tough in the dark, stronger in the grind.
- Thomas Vermaak: No stranger to 100-mile punishment. 3rd at Addo 100 Miler 2024, 3rd at Mac Mac Ultra 100 Miler 2024, and 6th at RMB UTD160 2024. Thomas is built for the long game — relentless, even-paced, and always climbing.
- Martin Malherbe: A stalwart of South African trail ultras. 6th at RMB UTD100 2024, Martin brings years of experience, race smarts, and a steady rhythm that holds strong when the going gets rough.
- Limo Kipkemoi (Kenya): In 2021 became the first man to ever summit both Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya, covering over 400km between the two mountains, within 8 days and running alone without any support.
The UTD100 (100km) – Starting Saturday, April 26 at 06:00 from Silverstream Trading Post, these athletes brave some of the range’s most technical terrain. Expect the leaders to cross the finish line from 17:00 the same day.
Athletes to watch
- Chris Ngaka: Poised and powerful across brutal courses. 2nd at RMB UTD100 2024, 3rd at Maxi Race Cape Winelands 75km 2024, and a huge international showing with 120km at Lavaredo Ultra Trail in Italy in 2024. Chris moves smooth and steady with a second-half surge that punishes the pack.
- Josh Chigome: Momentum machine. 1st at P2P Ultra 2025, 3rd at Whale of Trail 2024, 5th at RMB GCU65 2024, and top-10s at RMB PT55 2023 (3rd) and 2024 (7th). The Linda Doke-coached athlete blends fierce pacing with mountain confidence — and he’s just getting started.
- Mel Laing (Winner of UTD100 2024): No-nonsense and podium-proven. 1st at RMB UTD100 2024 and 1st at BATRUN 2024. Melissa thrives on exposed ridgelines and rugged paths — a commanding presence with a fearless front-runner style.
- Tarrin van Niekerk: Ultra consistency dialed in. 2nd at RMB UTD100 2024, P2P Ultra 2024, and again at P2P Ultra 2025. Tarrin keeps showing up strong in every deep field — smooth form, steady climbing, and unwavering grit.
The GCU65 (Giant’s Cup Ultra) – Watch in awe as runners conquer the five-day Giant’s Cup hiking trail in a single day! Starting Saturday, April 26 at 07:00 from Silverstream Trading Post, with finishers arriving from 13:00.
Athletes to watch
- Mvuyisi Gcogco: One of South Africa’s premier trail athletes. 1st at RMB UTD GCU65 and Whale of Trail 2024, 4th at Otter Trail 2024, plus a strong international season with 3rd at Dodo Trail and 26th at Tsaigu 50km. Mvuyisi runs with rhythm, range, and razor-sharp instincts.
- Admire Muzopambwa: With no intro needed, Admire’s been dominant across ultras: 1st at RMB UTD160, P2P Hundred, and Hegra Hundred (2024–2025), podiums at MUT60 and Chamarel, and 5th at RMB UTCT PT 55km. Rock-solid and relentless.
- Oli Morris: Diesel engine over ultra distance. 1st at RMB UTD100, 13th at UTCT 100km (2024), and 18th at Otter Trail 2024. Oli builds with every climb — always surging late when others fade.
- Maryke van Zyl (GCU65 Winner 2024): Precision and power in equal measure. 1st at RMB UTD GCU65 and P2P Marathon (2024–2025), 2nd at MUT Marathon, and 6th at RMB UTCT PT55. Maryke is pure vertical strength.
- Victoria Devouge (Reunion): Reunion Island-born and mountain-bred. 1st at Zembrocal Trail 2024, 2nd at Trail des Bruleries 2023, and La Mascareignes 2022. Built for vert and long-haul grind.
The SDR36 (Sundowner Run) – Experience the drama of runners racing the setting sun on Saturday, April 26. Starting at 13:00 from Castleburn Aid Station, finishers begin crossing the line from 16:00.
Athletes to watch
- Kane Reilly: South Africa’s leading trail athlete over the past decade who holds many trail race records. Podium regular. 2nd at the 2024 CT Trail Marathon (46km), tied 2nd at MUT60 2024 and 3rd at Otter 2024. Impressive results on the road earlier this year, winning the Bay to Bay 15km and bagging a top 20 at the Two Oceans Half Marathon. A threat anytime he toes the line.
- Sinovuyo Ngcobo (LIV2Run): Podium at DRJ25, top 10 at MUT and Otter – Sinovuyo is all-action and thriving in the big race mix.
- Tsielo Tsanyane (LIV2Run): 2024 DRJ25 champ and 2023 UTCT EX23 silver medallist – Tsielo is fast, focused, and climbing the ranks with purpose.
- Samantha Reilly: South African trail pedigree. 4th at UTCT 100km, 6th female at Lavaredo Ultra Trail by UTMB®, and 27th female at UTMB Mont-Blanc (OCC) in 2024. 1st at the 2023 CT Trail Marathon (46km). Sam brings world-class experience, grit, and undeniable strength to every start line.
The DRJ25 (Drakensberg Rock Jumper) – Perfect for witnessing the excitement of the shorter distance. Starting at 09:00 from Sani Golf Course on Saturday, April 26, with finishers arriving from 11:00.
Athletes to watch
- Mila Geldenhuys: One of SA’s rising stars – 2nd place at RMB UTCT 2024, 1st at 2024 MUT Challenge 25km and 1st at the CT Trail Marathon 22km. Mila is bringing serious podium potential to the Drakensberg.
- Brode Gleeson: 5th at UTCT TM35 2024, 6th at the 2024 CT Trail Marathon (46km), and competitive showings at UTMB Mont-Blanc (ETC) and Sierre.
- Mthobisi Ntanzi: Explosive speed and race-day composure – 3rd place at the 2024 UTCT KS16, proving he’s one to watch on shorter, sharper routes.
