TRAIL
All of the Stoke !
A moment that encapsulates the emotions of the weekend perfectly . My head was a bit all over the place leading up to UTCT , but hiking up Kloof Corner on Friday evening to support so many 100 miler friends and runners on the most picturesque evening was just the most surreal experience . An unmatched energy and ecstasy for me personally . I stayed on the mountain with friends way past sunset , and I left feeling all of the stoke that I could ’ ve asked for . UTCT , a special thing that . – Bianca Tarboton , women ’ s winner of the TM35
Images : Kelvin Trautman , Zac Zinn , Sam Clark , Fahwaaz Cornelius , Jason Broderick , Devin Paisley , Mentz Germishuis , Jess Meniere
more remote southern mountains , taking in additional trails from Silvermine to Kalk Bay , Kommetjie , Simonstown and beyond . The route has a challenging 7516m of vertical gain . The other races traverse sections of the northern mountain range , including Table Mountain , Lion ’ s Head , Signal Hill , 12 Apostles , Llandudno , Hout Bay , the Constantia Winelands , the upper slopes of Kirstenbosch Nature Reserve , and Devil ’ s Peak . These sections form part of the iconic natural World Heritage Site , and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World .
UTCT Joins World Trail Majors
In November , it was announced that the RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town has joined forces with the organisers of some of the best ultra-trail races across the globe to form the World Trail Majors , a new association that seeks to promote and safeguard the original spirit of trail and ultra running . The fundamentals of the World Trail Majors are diversity , respect and identity .
In terms of diversity , each trail race is unique in terms of distances , locations and terrains , providing an infinite number of wonderful experiences , and the aim is to embrace difference as enriching and improving trail running as a sporting , cultural and social activity . Secondly , an activity that takes place in nature must always treat the environment with respect , understanding that the effects of our actions reach far further than the sport itself . Lastly , each race has its own distinct personality , inspired by its local environment and its own evolving story . In short , by involving local organisations , respecting local communities and boosting local economies , races must leave little trace on nature , but lifelong impact on the runners .
The World Trail Majors is an open association , with the following nine events as founding members :
• Hong Kong 100 Ultramarathon , Hong Kong
• Black Canyon Ultra , United States
• North Face Transgrancanaria , Canary Islands , Spain
• Mt Fuji 100 , Japan
• Madeira Island Ultra-Trail , Portugal
• Swiss Canyon Trail , Switzerland
• South Downs Way , United Kingdom
• Quebec Mega Trail , Canada
• RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town , South Africa
Race Director of the RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town , Stuart McConnachie , says : “ RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town is proud to be part of this association that celebrates diversity as one of its objectives . Independent races have their place in the world of trail running , and by supporting , sharing and recognising each other ’ s place , we collaborate to continue the legacy of our sport in an independent way , which is the root of this sport .”
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