Uitsoek Mountain Marathon
07 October 2023
The Uitsoek Story
Uitsoek Mountain Marathon was established in 2015 by Sven Musica and has earned its reputation as one of the toughest Mountain Marathons in South Africa!
Uitsoek Mountain Marathon is a trail race taking place in the mountains near Sudwala, Nelspruit, with half marathon & 10km options also available.
This trail running event takes place on the Fanie Botha Trail outside Nelspruit at the Uitsoek Hut on SAFCOL property. The marathon climbs to the top of the escarpment, traverses a short way before descending through plantation and indigenous forest, crossing mountain streams, past countless waterfalls and finally over a few ridges to the finish line.
It’s a trail runner’s paradise, traversing indigenous forests, plantations, high-altitude grasslands, mountain streams and waterfalls. But those in the know don’t say “Uitsoek is Uitsoek…” for nothing – this trail race is unique, entirely its own challenge that needs its own yardstick… and it humbles many every year! The 40km trail run is part of the Mountain Marathon Series and while it attracts some racing snakes, Uitsoek has grown from the ground up and draws a core group of trail runners who simply enjoy the challenge of moving in the mountains.
Entries and Registration
Online Entries Open: 10am on Monday 29 May 2023
Online Entries Close: Midday, Thursday, 5 October 2023
Registration and Late Entries: Registration (race number collection) is from 4pm – 7pm on Friday 6 Oct and 5:30am on race day. Late Entries will be available at registration, but at the R50 late entry fee applies.
Itinerary
Distances
Mountain Marathon
Start time: 06:00am
Distance: 42.70km
Elevation gain: 1868m
Aid Stations: 4
Cut-off: Midday cut-off at 20km mark
*Please note this course requires COMPULSORY EQUIPMENT.
2022 Stats
Mens Winner: Bruce D’Hotman (04:59:48)
Ladies Winner: Ruth Cozien (05:01:07)
Average Time: 07:28:44
Longest Time: 11:39:16
Finishers: 40 runners
Download route
21km Course
Start time: 06:30am
Distance: 20.30km
Elevation gain: 887m
Aid Stations: 2
*Please note this course requires COMPULSORY EQUIPMENT.
2022 Stats
Mens Winner: Reynard De Bruin (02:17:01)
Ladies Winner: Angela Temlett (02:29:55)
Average Time: 03:37:17
Longest Time: 05:13:16
Finishers: 56 runners
Download route
10km course
Start time: 07:00am | Walkers Welcome
Distance: 10.6km
Elevation gain: 462m
Aid Stations: 1
2022 Stats
Men’s Winner: Albrecgt Sdapha (01:20:57)
Women’s Winner: Melissa Glass (01:28:36)
Average Time: 02:22:15
Longest Time: 03:45:44
Finishers: 79 runners
Download route
5km course
Start time: 07:00am | Walkers Welcome
Distance: 5.13km
Elevation gain: 286m
Aid Stations: None
2022 Stats
Mens Winner: Pieter Briel (00:32:16)
Ladies Winner: Shanie Briel (00:40:05)
Average Time: 00:48:43
Longest Time: 01:23:54
Finishers: 6 runners
Download route
Venue
Uitsoek Hiking Trail, Near nelspruit, mpumalunga
The event is hosted at the Uitsoek Hiking Hut, owned by SAFCOL and Komatiland. We are grateful for their support of the event.
Participants can book to stay on site in the dorms or rustic camping with the most magnificent views! There are ablutions with hot showers, braai area, wash-up basins and tables & benches in the hut hall. There are power points inside the hut where you can charge your devices.
Located outside Mbombela (Nelspruit) near Sudwala – note the road from Sudwala is dirt and can be in poor condition, so factor that into your travel plans.
See below for alternative accommodation options in the area.
Alternative Accommodation
Calverton Lodge
40min away from the Uitsoek Hut and on the marathon route, is Calverton Lodge, offering two luxury guest lodges, waterfalls and fishing opportunities to its guests.
Owner, Sheryl Baldwin, is a staunch supporter of the event and hosts an aid station every year.
Soak up the warm hospitality and the wonderful setting of Calverton Lodge for the weekend.
MAnkele
Log Cabin, safari tent and camping accommodation 20km (rough dirt road) from the Uitsoek Hut.
Mankele offers a variety of accommodation and activities (swimming pools, MTB trails, foofie slides, paintball), so it is perfect for those making a weekend of it with their families!
Situated at the edge of an indigenous forest and alongside a beautiful stream, Mankele is a superb location within easy reach of the race venue.
Goedgerus Guest Farm
Goederus Guest Farm, located just 22 kilometers from the race start in Schoemanskloof (convenient for those travelling from Gauteng), offers two self-catering cottages and four campsites on a working farm, providing the perfect place for race participants to rest and recharge before and after the event.
Our camping facilities include four private ablution and washup units, each with a shower and a toilet.
The self-catering cottages can sleep 5 (1 x doble bed and 3 x single beds in 3 bedrooms) and 4 (2 x double beds in 2 bedrooms) respectively.
Sudwala Lodge
Sudwala Lodge offers 2, 4 and 6 sleeper units situated 20km away from the Race Venue (rough dirt access road). Full hotel facilities with Sudwala Caves, Dinosaur Park and Butterfly Dome located on the lodge border.
