Ultra-Trail Marathon showcases Mother City’s scenic beauty and organisation

Danie van der Lith|Published 3 months ago

Cape Town’s breathtaking landscapes and stellar organisation were on full display this past weekend as the RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town marathon concluded without a hitch. The prestigious event, held in collaboration with Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) and the City of Cape Town, attracted over 2,700 athletes who tackled challenging trails ranging from 16 km to an ultra-distance of 100 miles (160 km). Picture: Sam Clark

CAPE Town’s breathtaking landscapes and the city’s stellar organisational skills were on full display this past weekend as the RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town marathon concluded without a hitch, but filled with breathtaking experiences.

The prestigious event, held in collaboration with Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) and the City of Cape Town, attracted over 2,700 athletes who tackled challenging trails up to an eye-watering ultra-distance of 100 miles (160 km). The route has 7,516m of vertical gain.

The diverse routes spanned the northern mountain range of Cape Town and extended to the remote southern mountains. Picture: Sam Clark

In fact, the Event offers a distance to suit every trail runner. Besides the 100-miler, there are distances of 100km, 55km, 35km, 23km and 16km.

The diverse routes spanned the northern mountain range of Cape Town and extended to the remote southern mountains of TMNP, with trails winding through iconic locations such as Silvermine, Kalk Bay, Simon’s Town, Kommetjie, and Noordhoek.

The other races traversed sections of the northern mountain range, including Table Mountain, Lion's Head, Signal Hill, 12 Apostles trail, Llandudno, Hout Bay, the Constantia Winelands, the upper slopes of Kirstenbosch Nature Reserve, and Devil's Peak.

With its seamless blend of adventure and natural beauty, all in a safe environment, this event continues to highlight Cape Town as a top choice for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. Picture: Jason Broderick

These sections form part of the iconic natural world heritage site and one of the Natural Seven Wonders of the World.

Participants and spectators alike were treated to awe inspiring views of the city’s rugged terrain and natural beauty.

Safety was a key focus of this year’s event. Through meticulous planning and the combined efforts of SANParks, local law enforcement, SANParks Volunteer Safety Services, and other volunteer organisations, the marathon was executed smoothly and free from security incidents.

“Partnerships like these demonstrate the strength of collaboration between stakeholders,” said a SANParks representative. “We are committed to working with partners and visitors to maintain the safety and security of our national park while offering world-class outdoor experiences.”

The successful hosting of the Ultra-Trail Cape Town marathon underscores not only Cape Town’s appeal as a global trail-running destination but also the importance of community and cooperation in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

With its seamless blend of adventure and natural beauty, all in a safe environment, this event continues to highlight Cape Town as a top choice for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts worldwide.