African Wildlife Artistry Bruintjieshoogte 50km Amobia Bay Ultra 50km
Where : Somerset East , Eastern Cape When : Usually late April 2019 Finishers : 156
This is a quality 50km race surrounded by the beautiful landscape of the Eastern Cape interior . It ’ s one of the real hidden gems on the race calendar , an absolute pleasure to run , and a race all runners should make the effort to run at least once . The oldest ultra in the Eastern Cape provides a 25km climb out of Somerset East to the top of the Bruintjieshoogte and then back again . Top tip : Take some time to unwind afterwards in the awesome Addo Elephant National Park , after practising your game-spotting skills along the route by keeping a lookout for kudu , gemsbok and the majestic sable antelope .
Running Mann ’ s Race Report : Marathon Addict ? Guilty As Charged ! ( My 100th Unique Marathon at Bruintjieshoogte )
Where : Pollok Beach , Gqeberha , Eastern Cape When : Previously February , planned for July 2022 2020 Finishers : 360
See a magnificent sunrise over the Indian Ocean whilst exploring Gqeberha ( formerly Port Elizabeth ), the adventure capital of South Africa . This was one of my favourite races from 2018 , a lovely 50km route with plenty of climbing over the first half , before you drop back to sea level and a 20km Marine Drive finish along pristine Eastern Cape coastline . Running in Gqeberha is always a treat – you ’ ll definitely get to experience the ‘ Friendly City ’ – but hopefully you ’ ll get a gentle sea-breeze and avoid experiencing the infamous ‘ Windy City .’
Running Mann ’ s Race Report : See the Lighthouse at the End of an Ultra
Memel Ultra 51.2km
South Coast Ultra 48km
Where : Memel , Free State , to Newcastle , KwaZulu-Natal When : August ( Women ’ s Day ) 2019 Finishers : 84
Where : South Coast , KwaZulu-Natal When : Usually 27 April 2019 Finishers : 307
This race gives you a five-course feast that covers the diversity of the South Coast . From the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre , you start with a series of demanding but beautiful rolling hills through rural KZN , after which you head into the bustling township of Gamalakhe and drop down to the coast at Uvongo . The exquisite coastal road to Margate is the easiest section of the route , and the year I ran it there was a whale basking in the bay . After soaking up the sea-level serenity , you head back inland over several steep climbs that consume most of the second half of the course . The race is usually held on Freedom Day , and is a great excuse for a long weekend on the South Coast .
Unfortunately , no race report , as I ran this before starting my blog .
The most precise distance markers in the country can be found on the road to Newcastle during the Blood Buddy Ultra : 27.72km down & 23.48km to go . This is what happens when you put the Amajuba High School ’ s Mathematics Department in charge of course measurement ! A lowkey 51.2km race from Memel ( officially the coldest town in the Free State ) to Newcastle in Kwazulu- Natal , this race was originally a walk , but they allow runners to join in these days . It is run along the along the historic Battlefields Route and provides breath-taking views once the early morning fog lifts . Expect great support tables and plenty of small-town hospitality along the way . Although the race starts at over 1700m above sea level and finishes around 1200m , this is by no means an ‘ easy ultra .’ There are plenty of climbs along the way , and you ’ ll warm up quickly from your sub-zero start with a 17km climb to Botha ’ s Pass ( 1805m ) before dropping into KZN .
Running Mann ’ s Race Report : The Legacy of a Schoolboy Dare
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