Trail Experiences Across South Africa
Since 2011
Who we are
What Makes Us Different
Mountain Runner Events is proudly independent and never templated.
Each event is hand-crafted in response to the land and the people around it.
The real joy lies in what you don’t plan for: the silence, the storm, the swim, or the shared moment that resets your soul. Runners may not always name it, but they carry it long after the dust has settled.
Our Events
Trails & Journeys
Each trail is a different kind of remembering. Each place offers its own way back to self.
Whale of Trail
De Hoop Nature Reserve, WC
15 August 2026
The Migration
A once-a-year chance to run De Hoop’s iconic five-day hike in a single day. Choose between the full 53km or the shorter 35km route, along fynbos ridges and the wild ocean edge. With entries limited, only a select field move as part of the pod, sharing a migration shaped by land, sea, and whales.
35 km | 53 km | 2 Day Journey
Hobbit Trail Runs
Hogsback, EC
25-27 April 2026
The Forest Calls
Run through the ancient Amathole forests. From twilight wanderings to the full 90km quest, every distance holds its own magic. Build your own stage race across the weekend, mixing distances to suit your journey. Its a long weekend woven with trails, stories, and space for every member of the family.
90km | 42km | 16km | 21 km | 8km Night | 10 km | 5 km
CPT Night Series
Constantia Vineyards, WC
29 April, 6 May, 13 May 2026
Cape Town After Dark
The MERRELL CPT Night Run Series is about moving through familiar trails in unfamiliar light. Three autumn evenings. Headlamps on. Footsteps soft on gravel and singletrack.
This is trail running slowed just enough to notice the night.
3 km | 5 km | 8 km | 10 km
Joburg Trail Runs
Kingskloof, Muldersdrift
TBC
Kingskloof Muldersdrift
The MERRELL JHB Trail Runs at Kings Kloof invite you into a tucked away stretch of wilderness just outside the city. Grassy slopes, shaded paths, and sandstone ridges create a trail that feels open, gentle, and unforced. It is a place to move with intention, share the trail, and settle into a rhythm that feels your own.
6km | 12 km | 21 km
KZN Trail Runs
Cumberland Nature Reserve
29 – 30 August 2026
Cumberland Nature Reserve
We know KZN trail runners are a special breed – adventurous, resilient, and always up for a good challenge. So here’s a kiff opportunity to lace up your takkies and hit the rugged paths of the Cumberland Nature Reserve!
30 km | 15 km | 10 km | 6 km – distances TBC
VasBietjie
Cumberland Nature Reserve, KZN
TBC
Run | Paddle | MTB
A fun and friendly introduction to adventure racing for newcomers, and the perfect training ground for seasoned racers. Set in KZN, Vasbietjie blends trails, teamwork, and a touch of toughness – ending with a relaxed Bring ‘n Braai at the picnic site.
70 km | 25 km | 10km
Urban Hike
Braamfontein, Joburg
TBC November 2026
Get To Know Your City
The Merrell Urban Hike: Stories of Joburg is a fun 5 km walk through Joburg’s heartbeat. Think Braam vibes, street corners alive with art, and that feeling when the city opens up in front of you. It’s not about racing, it’s about walking, snapping, and discovering Jozi in a new way.
5 km | Guided Journey
Urban Hike
Cape Town City Centre & Bo Kaap
22 February 2026
Get To Know Your City
Walk the streets of the Mother City and feel the layers beneath your feet. From Khoi and San heritage to the colonial era, through the living colour and rhythm of Bo Kaap, this is a guided urban hike that trades summit lines for city stories.
5 km | Guided Journey
Our Sponsors
With Us on the Path
Our events are held up not only by crew and community, but also by those who choose to journey alongside us.
Our partners share our respect for land, people, and story. Their support helps us shape trail experiences that are carefully crafted, place-led, and community-rooted.
Reach Out
Let the Trail Connect Us
Whether you’re planning a run or remembering one, we’re here to connect. Our team reads every note. Send yours below.