Sappi Karkloof Trail Festival 2025
The Sappi Karkloof Trail Festival will take place at the Absa Karkloof Country Club on 24-25th of May 2025. The event saw a massive surge in competitors in 2024 and is aiming to make 2025 even bigger and better. The event is also SA Marathon Championships, and the club is proud to be hosting this in 2025, 2026 and 2027.
Saturday 24th May will be a day for the Runners with 3 trail running distances, including a brand new intermediate distance to bridge the gap. The day is also one for the Enduro riders with a Full Enduro, E-bike Enduro and an Enduro Lite.
Sunday the 25th May will be a day for the Marathon MTB riders, competing for the prestigious title of SA Marathon Champs, with MTB race distances ranging from 10km for the Fun Ride, right up to 85km for the strongest competitors. For the more fun-loving running crowd there will be a Fun Run.
ROUTE DESCRIPTIONS – TRAIL RUNS
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 fitness-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 | 15km TRAIL RUN
Our brand new mid-distance timed running race through the Karkloof forests, boulder hopping over the majestic Karkloof river, through a working dairy farms, with some moderate climbs to bring some sense of achievement.
SAT & SUN | 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.
ROUTE DESCRIPTIONS – ENDURO
SAT | FULL ENDURO
With all the same technical routes as the Full Enduro above, but with the added power and low down weight, this class is proving to be a fast growing event.
SAT | E-BIKE ENDURO
Our brand new mid-distance timed running race through the Karkloof forests, boulder hopping over the majestic Karkloof river, through a working dairy farms, with some moderate climbs to bring some sense of achievement.
SAT | ENDURO LITE
An entry into the world of enduro for riders needing a shorter distance with 3 stages to test yourselves on, with B-lines provided for those still grasping the discipline.
ROUTE DESCRIPTIONS – MTB MARATHONS
SUN | 85km MTB
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. 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 good fitness to experience the best the Karkloof has the offer on climbs and flowing technical single tracks.
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.
EVENT PRICING, TIMES AND BATCHING – RUNNING
SATURDAY 24th MAY 2025 – Registration from 06:00 to 09:30
ENTRIES ARE OPEN ON EASYREG
To enter the event, click HERE
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.
TIME
EVENT
EARLY BIRD
NORMAL ENTRY
LATE ENTRY
07H30
21km RUN
R210
R230
R280
07H45
15km RUN
R190
R210
R260
08H00
9km RUN
R170
R190
R240