Ingeli mountain marathon
30 July 2022
The Story
We were invited by Clinton Armour to visit the Ingeli Forest Lodge to prospect a trail run in October 2012, in what was the infancy of KZN Trail Running. Lauren was pregnant with Ben, and we came straight from the MUTTER, another legendary trail event in this southern corner of KZN. It rained for two days as Andrew explored the mountain while Lauren enjoyed the comforts of the Hotel. It was obvious that Ingeli was a great place for a trail run!
The first event took place the following year with a relatively small field, and it was only in 2014, when it earned the status as one of RSA’s Skymarathon courses, that its true potential as a mountain course was realised.
Inaugural years are always interesting. The long course pitched at 42km drew only a core crowd of early adopters, who all ended up running an ultra that day when the course dragged on close to 50km. Regardless of these early errors on the course, the Ingeli bug had bitten, the word was out. There was a big mountain surrounded by forest and plantations in southern KZN. The Ingeli Mountain forms the border between KZN and the Eastern Cape, and at times the course runs along the boundary. The mountain is dominated by grassland and proteas and has offered up great sighting of wild animals, including caracal!
The race continued as part of the Skymarathon Series until 2017 when the Series came to an end, and unfortunately, the 2018 event did not take place in any format. The hotel still gets regular calls from fans of the race asking when it may happen again. So, when during the lockdown, Kevin Burley (Operations Manager of the ANEW Hotels Group) and Clinton Armour (CEO of the ANEW Hotels Group), opened up discussions with us initially around support for the Garden Trail Series and then about the re-introduction of the Ingeli Mountain Marathon, things came together organically. Corona may have taken a lot from us, but it also brings things back together. A partnership that has previously failed over a few minor disagreements is now reignited and ready to bring you an insane day of running in the mountains.
Entries and Registration
Enter here
48 Hour Special Open: 10:00am, Friday, 11 February 2022
48 Hour Special Close: 10:00am, Sunday, 13 February 2022
Online Entries Close: Midday, Wednesday, 27 July 2022
Registration and Late Entries: Registration will open at 04:00pm on Friday, 29 July 2022, and will close at 08:00pm. Registration will commence again on race day at 05:30am. Late Entries will be available at registration for the short and medium courses but at a R50 surcharge.
Meals: Meals will be available at the Ingeli Restuarant and will have an A La Carte Menu and Buffet options.
Itinerary
Courses
Mountain Marathon
Start time: 06:00am
Distance: 37.8km
Elevation gain: 1859m
Aid Stations: 4 tables
*Please note this course requires compulsory equipment.
2021 Stats
Mens Winner: Eric Ngubane (03:39:07)
Ladies Winner: Jo Keppler (04:49:51)
Average Time: 06:09:38
Longest Time: 09:14:07
Finishers: 28 runners
Download route
Mountain Challenge
Start time: 07:00am
Distance: 20.7km
Elevation gain: 688m
Aid Stations: 3 tables
*Please note this course requires compulsory equipment.
2021 Stats
Ladies Winner: Ann Ashworth (1:33:10)
Mens Winner: Andrew Joyner (01:45:07)
Average Time: 02:31:32
Longest Time: 03:10:55
Finishers: 29 runners
Download route
Medium course
Start time: 07:30am | Walkers Welcome
Distance: 10.8km
Elevation gain: 475m
Aid Stations: 3 Stations
2021 Stats
Mens Winner: Phakamani Madlala (00:51:10)
Ladies Winner: Tracy Rawlins (01:16:34)
Average Time: 01:33:12
Longest Time: 02:06:54
Finishers: 19 runners
Download route
short course
Start time: 07:40am | Walkers Welcome
Distance: 5.93km
Elevation gain: 252m
Aid Stations: 1 table
2021 Stats
Mens Winner: Ncebo Molefe (00:51:49)
Ladies Winner: Ruth King (02:17:32)
Average Time: 01:46:02
Longest Time: 02:17:35
Finishers: 5 runners
Download route
Coming Soon!
Venue
ANEW Resorts ingeli forest lodge, KWAZULU-NATAL
ANEW Resort Ingeli Forest is nestled below the Ingeli Mountain range near Kokstad in KwaZulu-Natal offering comfortable accommodation only one hour inland from Port Shepstone and two and a half hours from Durban.
Surrounded by breath-taking indigenous forests, this is the perfect place for you to chill and unwind at your own pace. With 44 spacious country rooms, you’ll be spoilt for choice with all rooms featuring the same luxurious and comfortable features & amenities, including a private veranda for you to take in the view.
