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Black Mountain Ultra Marathon

Experience the inaugural ultra trail through South Africa's UNESCO World Heritage Swartberg Mountains in the heart of the Klein Karoo

2026-04-25

A Trail Running Experience Like No Other

The inaugural Black Mountain Ultra combines world-class trail running with the rich heritage and stunning landscapes of South Africa's Klein Karoo region.

3 Races

Three Epic Distances

73km Ultra, 43km Mountain Marathon, and 19km Half - choose your challenge through the rugged Swartberg terrain

World Heritage

UNESCO World Heritage

Run through pristine landscapes of the Swartberg Mountains, recognised for their exceptional biodiversity

Multi-terrain

Technical Terrain

Experience jeep tracks, technical single track, and fast-flowing trails including the famous Donkey Trail

Community

Karoo Hospitality

Finish at Groenfontein Retreat with local wine farms, food trucks, and authentic Klein Karoo culture

Choose Your Mountain Challenge

From technical ultra-marathon distances to accessible half-marathon trails, find your perfect Swartberg Mountains adventure.

UTMB Logo
ITRA Logo
73km3 ITRA Points

Ultra Marathon

2983m+
9-16 hours
UTMB Index Logo
3 ITRA Points
Start: Bosch Luys Kloof Lodge

The ultimate challenge through the heart of the Swartberg Mountains, featuring technical climbs, jeep tracks, and breathtaking single track sections.

Race Highlights:

  • The Ladder descent
  • UNESCO heritage landscapes
  • Gamkaskloof "Die Hel"
  • Donkey Trail descent
43km2 ITRA Points

Mountain Marathon

1916m+
6-10 hours
UTMB Index Logo
2 ITRA Points
Start: Gamkaskloof

A challenging mountain marathon combining fast-flowing single track with technical terrain and jeep tracks, perfect for experienced trail runners.

Race Highlights:

  • Single track paradise
  • Mountain vistas
  • Varied terrain
  • Gamkaskloof - Die Hel
19km1 ITRA Point

Half Marathon

796m+
2-4hrs
UTMB Index Logo
1 ITRA Points
Start: Groenfontein Retreat

An accessible yet rewarding introduction to Swartberg trail running, featuring beautiful trails in a manageable distance.

Race Highlights:

  • Scenic mountain views
  • Single track paradise
  • Perfect introduction
  • Family-friendly

More Than Just a Race

The Black Mountain Ultra is a celebration of trail running culture, Klein Karoo heritage, and the extraordinary hospitality that makes South Africa special. Your start line is just the beginning of an unforgettable weekend experience.

Local Wine Farms

Celebrate your achievement with award-winning wines from Klein Karoo vineyards, known for their exceptional port and red wines.

Food Truck Festival

Refuel with delicious local cuisine from carefully selected food trucks offering the best of Karoo flavors and South African specialties.

Gamkaskloof Heritage

Discover the rich history of "Die Hel" (The Hell), a remote valley settlement that tells the story of Karoo pioneers and their resilience.

Karoo Hospitality

Experience the legendary warmth of Klein Karoo people, where every runner becomes part of the extended community family.

Retreat

Groenfontein Retreat

Your finish line destination

Groenfontein.com

UNESCO World Heritage Significance

The Swartberg Mountains form part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, recognized for its exceptional plant diversity and unique geological formations. As you run these ancient paths, you'll traverse landscapes unchanged for millions of years, where each step connects you to South Africa's extraordinary natural heritage.

70%

Plants are Endemic

230M+

Years Old Geology

2004

UNESCO Recognition

Be Part of Trail Running History

Join the inaugural Black Mountain Ultra and become a part of what promises to be one of South Africa's premier trail running events. Limited spots available for this historic first edition.

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Limited to 80 runners per distance

Inaugural event spots

Limited

Views & Experience

Exclusive

First edition finisher

Historic

Brought to You By

The Black Mountain Ultra is made possible through the collaboration of passionate organisations dedicated to trail running, conservation, and showcasing South Africa's natural heritage.

Traverse the Earth

Traverse the Earth

Passionate trail running event organisers dedicated to creating unforgettable mountain experiences that connect runners with nature's most spectacular landscapes.

The Donkey Trail

The Donkey Trail

Iconic Klein Karoo hiking trail offering one of South Africa's most rewarding 5 day hiking experiences through pristine and historical mountain terrain.

Cape Nature

Cape Nature

The chief custodian of the Western Cape’s natural environment. It is responsible for protecting the Western Cape's unique biodiversity and managing our precious natural heritage sites.

Our Sponsors

We're proud to partner with leading brands and organisations who share our commitment to trail running excellence, environmental conservation, and community development.

A Collaborative Vision

This inaugural event represents the shared commitment of our partners to sustainable trail running, environmental conservation, community empowerment, and celebrating South Africa's extraordinary natural landscapes. Together, we're creating an event that honors both the sport we love and the places we run.

Join Our Mission

The Black Mountain Ultra Trail is built on community collaboration. Whether you're interested in volunteering, sponsorship opportunities, or simply want to be part of something special, we invite you to join us.

Volunteer With Us

Join our team and help create an unforgettable trail running experience in the Klein Karoo.

  • Race day support
  • Course marshalling
  • An unforgettable experience
Get in touch

Become a Partner

Support sustainable trail running while aligning your brand with conservation and community development.

  • Brand exposure
  • Invest in local
  • Support the environment
Get in touch

Get Involved

Whether you have questions, ideas, or want to contribute in other ways, we'd love to hear from you.

  • Share your expertise
  • Local connections
  • Creative collaboration
Get in touch

Ready to Get Involved?

Whether you have a specific idea in mind or just want to explore how you can contribute, we're here to help you find the perfect way to be part of the Black Mountain Ultra story.

Building Something Together

Every volunteer, sponsor, and community member who joins us helps create not just a world-class trail running event, but a lasting positive impact on the Klein Karoo region. Together, we're building a sustainable model that celebrates trail running, protects our natural heritage, and empowers local communities.