Event Sappi Karkloof

Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival 2025

The Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival will again be hosting the SA MTB Marathon

Champs at the Karkloof Country Club on Saturday 25th May 2025.

On Saturday there will be two trail running options to choose from as well as a 1km Kiddies Fun Run around the Club grounds.

Sunday will offer a packed day of Mountain Biking for the whole family with distances

ranging from 10km to the 85km.

Event details are as follows:
25th MAY – Registration from 06h00 to 09h30

Time Event Early Bird Normal Entry Late Entry
07h30 21km Trail Run R190 R210 R260
08h00 9km Trail Run R150 R170 R220
08h05 1km Kiddies Fun Run Free Free Free

Please check the racing categories carefully below to make sure you are entering the correct event. Prizes are specific to events and categories.

Racing Categories

Race Batch Category
85km MTB A Elite Men
B Sub Vet & Vet Men
C Elite Woman
60km MTB A Junior & Youth Men
B Sub Vet & Vet Woman
C Master Men
D Open Batch
E Open Batch
40km MTB A Junior & Youth Women
B Master Woman
C Grand Master Men & Woman
D Open Batch
E Open Batch
F Open Batch
20km MTB A Nippers, Sprogs, Sub Junior Boys & Girls
B Open Batch
C Open Batch
10km MTB A Open Batch
9km Fun Trail Run A Open Batch

Entries are open on ROAG. To enter, click HERE

ENTRIES:

Online entries will open and close as follows:

Entry Type Open Close
Early Bird 26 February 31 March
Normal Entry 1 April 18 May
Late Entry 19 May 22 May

Late entries will also be available on the day of each event at the Karkloof Country Club and the late entry price will apply.

ROUTE DESCRIPTIONS

SAT | 21km Trail Run

A challenging timed running race through the Karkloof forests, boulder hopping over the majestic Karkloof river, through a working dairy farms, with some testing climbs to reach some magnificent views not available to the public. With a newly introduced KOM and QOM cash prize for the first Men’s and Women’s runners up to the crest.

SAT | 9km Trail Run

A less strenuous timed running race through the Karkloof forests, boulder hopping over the majestic Karkloof river, through a working dairy farm, with some manageable climbing.

SAT | 1km Kiddies Fun Run

A free and easy fun run for Kids and Parents around the Karkloof Country club to stretch and test those little legs, ideal for those waiting for loved ones doing other events.

SUN | 85km MTB Marathon

An ultra-tough Marathon Champs timed race for elite riders, speeding through Karkloof forests, testing your fitness up mountains and your technical ability through some of the best flowing singles tracks in the country. With a newly introduced KOM and QOM cash prize for the first Men’s and Women’s timed cyclists up to the top of the mountain. Pre-qualified entrants with CSA racing license holders only, E-bikes not permitted.

SUN | 60km MTB

A challenging timed race aimed at riders with good technical ability and fitness to experience the best the Karkloof has the offer on climbs and flowing technical single tracks. With a newly introduced KOM and QOM cash prize for the first Men’s and Women’s timed cyclists up to the top of the mountain.

SUN | 40km MTB

A moderate timed race aimed at fitter riders wanting to test themselves on the slightly longer routes of combined single track and jeep track, with a few good climbs thrown in but less technical single track to keep the flows going with views of the majestic Karkloof Falls along the route.

SUN | 20km MTB

An easier timed race for riders looking to experience the serenity of the Karkloof forests along mostly jeep tracks and some single track without any technical obstacles to worry about, ensuring smiles all round and an enjoyable event with views of the majestic Karkloof Falls along the route.

SUN | 10km MTB Fun Ride

An easy fun ride for Kids and Parents to enjoy through the scenic jeep track roads in the forests of the Karkloof.

SUN | 9km Fun Trail Run

A less strenuous fun run through the Karkloof forests, boulder hopping over the majestic Karkloof river, through a working dairy farm, with the Karkloof beauty, sights and sounds to take in all around.

ROUTE MAPS

85km MTB – https://www.wikiloc.com/mountain-biking-trails/karkloof-classic-85km-mtb-170494018

60km MTB – https://www.wikiloc.com/mountain-biking-trails/karkloof-classic-60km-mtb-170493744

40km MTB – https://www.wikiloc.com/mountain-biking-trails/karkloof-classic-40km-mtb-170493540

20km MTB – https://www.wikiloc.com/mountain-biking-trails/karkloof-classic-20km-mtb-170493275

10km MTB Fun Ride – https://www.wikiloc.com/mountain-biking-trails/karkloof-classic-10km-mtb-170492910

21km Trail Run – https://www.wikiloc.com/trail-running-trails/karkloof-classic-21km-trail-run-170492560

9km Trail Run – https://www.wikiloc.com/trail-running-trails/karkloof-classic-9km-trail-run-170490186

  1. The routes are not currently marked and the marking will not be guaranteed to be final until the day of the race and is subject to last minute changes.
  2. Routes are still being marked and cleared until the day of the event, so caution must be exercised for obstructions and please don’t injure our trail team (who won’t hear you coming, due to equipment/protective headwear being used)
  3. Should you want to practice the route prior to the event you require a valid members band or day permit from the club to ride the trails.  Trespassers on Sappi land running/riding without these permits will be disqualified from the race.
  4. Please respect the private farm land owners at all times, they provide us access to their farm land only during the event weekend. Some of the courses cannot be accessed until the day of the event. This includes the majority of the 9km and 21km trail runs, the first 12km of the 85km MTB event and the last 5km of the 85km and 60km MTB events. Trespassers running/riding on private land before the event will be disqualified from the race.
  5. On race day the arrows and bunting will mark the course and you must follow the route marking.  These GPX files are only indicative of the route and approximate distance. Course markings on the day of the event take preference. Turn your “off course” notifications off on your electronic device.
  6. Cell signal under the tree canopy varies and we cannot accept responsibility for people getting lost using these files.