Races
Ultra Trail Drakensberg
South Africa, April. 100 km on 75% trail. +2,707 ft of climbing. 23 hours cutoff.
62 mi+2,707 ft-2,431 ft23 hours3,330 ft to 3,694 fttech 5/106 stationsWSER qualifierApril
Distance62 mi
Gain+2,707 ft
Loss-2,431 ft
Altitude3,330 ft to 3,694 ft
Technicality5/10
Air55°F to 95°F
- Start3,330 ft
- High3,692 ft
- Low3,330 ft
- Finish3,606 ft
- South Africa at mile 0.0
- Ultra Trail Drakensberg mile 12 at mile 12, cutoff 4.6000000000000005 hours
- Ultra Trail Drakensberg mile 25 at mile 25, cutoff 9.200000000000001 hours
- Ultra Trail Drakensberg mile 37 at mile 37, cutoff 13.799999999999999 hours
- Ultra Trail Drakensberg mile 50 at mile 50, cutoff 18.400000000000002 hours
- Finish South Africa at mile 62, cutoff 23 hours
Field, 2026 · 9-year sampleresults
Starters86
Finish rate100%
Median19:26
Sub-2475
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop102 ft-0.9% over 2.1 mi
Night miles19 misunset near 18:00 local
Course records
Men10:35:49Cody Reed
Women12:12:39Naomi Brand
The cruxHeat, vert, and remote ridgelines with thin aid (near mile 40)
Course DNA
The Course
Ultra Trail Drakensberg runs 100 km through South Africa. +2,707 ft gain and -2,431 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. April temps run 55°F to 95°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 31.
The Work
Train for 2,707 feet of climbing across 100 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 23 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 40.
Kit
April in South Africa: plan for 55°F to 95°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 23 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 16. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 31.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 16. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 31. Heat, vert, and remote ridgelines with thin aid near mile 40 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 21 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Ultra Trail Drakensberg finish lines.
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Sources (2)
- Field stats (2026): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=129185
- Course record (M): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=94332