Our Story
Every trail tells a story, ours began in 2011.
Our story is rooted in South Africa’s wild places, but it continues with every runner who joins us. Find the trail that calls you.
Mountain Runner Events was founded in 2011, born out of a shared love for the outdoors and a desire to bring people into South Africa’s most remarkable wild places. Before the name, before the logo, Graham Bird had already spent years chasing mountain passes, paddling rivers, and pushing his limits across the country’s toughest terrains.
Having competed in a variety of outdoor sports from a young age, and knowing firsthand the benefits of being outside, it was a natural progression for Graham to begin creating events that allowed others to experience these landscapes. Seeing the joy people found on the trails, and how they grew by pushing themselves beyond their comfort zones, became part of the drive.
Those early years of competition shaped something deeper, a longing to share the kinds of journeys that had changed him. Mountain Runner Events was never about building podiums, but about creating moments. Races became gatherings. Routes became rituals.
From that first event to now, MRE has grown into a series of soulful, place-rooted trail running experiences, where time matters less than terrain, and connection outpaces competition.
Nature-led
We let the land shape the race. Each route is crafted in response to terrain, weather, and place—not a template.
Stewardship
We honour the privilege of running in wild places by minimising impact, giving back, and leaving the trail better.
Community
Our events are gatherings first, races second. We create spaces where runners, crew, and local communities meet and belong.
Grit & Joy
We believe challenge and delight walk hand in hand. Every climb, storm, silence, and shared moment adds to the story you carry home.
Our Mission
To create meaningful, story-driven trail experiences that:
Honour the Land
Letting each place set the challenge
Offer a Return
Guiding runners back to stillness, strength and self.
Foster Community
Where shared effort builds belonging
Sustainability & Community
We know races leave a footprint. That’s why we work to make ours smaller, through waste reduction, local partnerships, and conservation projects.
From supporting the Cape Parrot Project in the Amatolas to ongoing recycling initiatives, MRE treats every event as a chance to give back – to the landscapes that test us and the communities that welcome us.
Our Why
- We do this for the joy.
- For the wilderness that steadies the soul.
- For the stillness between footsteps.
- For the people who come alive out here.
We believe in the quiet transformation that happens on the trail, when movement meets meaning. We believe in holding space for others to experience it too.
“
Graham, Sarah & Team.. we are buzzing with happiness! What a remarkable weekend! A ‘thank you’ does not come close to how grateful we are that we had the priveledge of experiencing your Hobbit. You guys are so devine. Your passion & attention to detail is unreal. Looking forward to see you at Whale! All the best with wrapping up, travel safe & rest well. Big hugs from the Smiths
Matty Smith