Races
Ultra Trail Cape Town
South Africa, November. 100 mi on 75% trail. +4,239 ft of climbing. 45 hours cutoff.
100 mi+4,239 ft-3,999 ft45 hours3,330 ft to 3,694 fttech 5/106 stationsWSER qualifierNovemberRunning Stones · 4 stones
Distance100 mi
Gain+4,239 ft
Loss-3,999 ft
Altitude3,330 ft to 3,694 ft
Technicality5/10
Air55°F to 95°F
- Start3,330 ft
- High3,687 ft
- Low3,330 ft
- Finish3,570 ft
- South Africa at mile 0.0
- Ultra Trail Cape Town mile 20 at mile 20, cutoff 9 hours
- Ultra Trail Cape Town mile 40 at mile 40, cutoff 18 hours
- Ultra Trail Cape Town mile 60 at mile 60, cutoff 27 hours
- Ultra Trail Cape Town mile 80 at mile 80, cutoff 36 hours
- Finish South Africa at mile 100, cutoff 45 hours
Field, 2025 · 4-year sampleresults
Starters99
Finish rate100%
Median36:32
Sub-244
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop89 ft-0.9% over 1.9 mi
Night miles35 misunset near 19:00 local
Course records
Men20:48:17Fotios Zisimopoulos
Women24:40:58Nicolette Griffioen
The cruxHeat, vert, and remote ridgelines with thin aid (near mile 65)
Course DNA
The Course
Ultra Trail Cape Town runs 100 mi through South Africa. +4,239 ft gain and -3,999 ft loss. Surfaces skew 75% trail / 20% dirt road / 5% paved. Heat, vert, and remote ridgelines with thin aid. High point near 3,694 ft. Low near 3,330 ft. November temps run 55°F to 95°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 50.
The Work
Train for 4,239 feet of climbing across 100 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 45 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 65.
Kit
November in South Africa: plan for 55°F to 95°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 45 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 50.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 25. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 50. Heat, vert, and remote ridgelines with thin aid near mile 65 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 33 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Ultra Trail Cape Town finish lines.
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Sources (3)
- Field stats (2025): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=129176
- Qualifier: utmb_stones: https://utmb.world/utmb-world-series
- Course record (M): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=104828