BUCKET LIST
2 MINS 16 SECONDS
THE MERRELL WHALE OF TRAIL
Why you should add this to your bucket list now!
Each year in late July, prime winter whale watching season, a select group of trail runners has the opportunity to take on South Africa’ s iconic five-day Whale Trail hiking route as a oneday adventure. 2025 sees this special event celebrate a milestone- it’ s the tenth running of this unique event.
Limited to only 250 runners on the 53km ultra( 1,900 m elevation gain), the 35 km, and an ultra-luxury 2-day " Whale Journey " for only 12 participants, the Merrell Whale of Trail is a true bucket-list event.
KEY INFORMATION WORTH NOTING:
• Dates: 26 & 27 July 2025.
• Distances: 53 km ultra, 35 km trail, or 2-day Whale Journey
• Location: Potberg to Koppie Alleen, De Hoop Nature Reserve( 2.5 – 3 h from Cape Town).
• Enter: Via the race website( Whale of Trail), entries close soon!
WHAT MAKES IT SUCH A SPECIAL, ONE-OF-A-KIND EVENT?
It’ s a rare opportunity: Normally, hikers reserve this trail year-round, but for one weekend, Mountain Runner Events reserves it entirely for runners and their supporters. This means untouched fynbos ridges, pristine coastlines, and hundreds of southern right whales wallowing in the shore, making it one of the top whaleviewing trails. On race day in 2018, an official aerial survey counted 1,114 Southern Right Whales in the De Hoop Marine Reserve. That means even on its busiest day, whales outnumber spectators by 4.5:1, making the trail in De Hoop the best land-based whale watching spot in the world!
HAVE THE NATURE AND TRAILS ALL TO YOURSELF: The route climbs Potberg( 611 m) where the Cape Vulture colonies catch the sea breezes, zigzags along rocky trails, crests cliffs with sweeping Breede River Valley vistas, and descends onto sandy beaches. Keep an eye out for eland, bontebok, zebras, dolphins, otters, caracals, and turtles along the route. half, technical coastal rocks and undulating beach running to get you to the finish. The 35 km route offers the same magic on a lighter scale, while still offering vistas, beaches and an incredible way to see the whales and enjoy what the area has to offer. Meanwhile, the bespoke“ Whale Journey” couples the ultra-distance across two days with gourmet meals prepared by a chef and hut stays in the recently renovated hiking huts.
A COMING TOGETHER OF COMMUNITY: This isn’ t just a trail race- it is a weekend experience to be enjoyed with family and friends, both new and old. Expect delicious food and wine tastings, finish-line meals and massages, medals, and goody bags, in a fun-filled atmosphere.
CONSERVATION AND GIVING BACK TO THE AREA: As a participant, you play a crucial role in giving back to the area, protecting De Hoop’ s unique ecosystem and raising funds for community initiatives such as local school playgrounds. This is trail running with a purpose.
The Merrell Whale of Trail is more than a trail run; it’ s an immersive journey through some of South Africa’ s most stunning landscapes, coupled with whales, community spirit, and a conservation impact. Whether chasing a personal best on the 53 km ultra or enjoying the indulgent Whale Journey, runners leave changed forever.
CHALLENGING BUT SO REWARDING: The 53 km ultra is deceptive: fast runnable singletrack in the first
33 ISSUE 177 | www. modernathlete. co. za
33