The most challenging 100-mile circuit down the Peninsula is one of the five distinct races featured in the RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town, a global trail running event that attracts participants from over 66 countries. The event is a tribute to human tenacity and celebrates the unity and diversity within the sport, rooted in the unspoiled splendor of South Africa. The partnerships between SANParks, the City of Cape Town, and RMB have helped shape the event into one of the world’s most recognized ultra-trail events.
What is the RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town?
The RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town is an international trail running event that attracts participants from over 66 countries. It features five distinct races, including the most challenging 100-mile circuit down the Peninsula, and is a testament to human tenacity and the unity and diversity within the sport. The event is a tribute to the adventurous spirit and is rooted in the unspoiled splendor of South Africa.
A Global Gathering of Trail Runners
When the South African sun ascends above the picturesque outlook of Table Mountain in late November, the planet’s finest trail runners will ready themselves to test their might and stamina against the demanding landscape of the RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town (RMB UTCT). This esteemed event, taking place from 24-26 November, has evolved into an international spectacle of trail running, attracting participants from over 66 nations; including remarkable contingents from France, Great Britain, the USA, Germany, and Italy.
The RMB UTCT transcends being a mere race. It is a testament to human tenacity, a tribute to the adventurous spirit, and a celebration of the unity and diversity within the sport. This year’s event pledges an exhilarating race day on Table Mountain and across the Peninsula, featuring elite international athletes like Rob Krar, Anthony Costales, and Tom Evans. These athletes will join local trailblazers like Kerry-Ann Marshall and Ryan Sandes, stirring up excitement for a captivating contest.
A Unique Experience Rooted in South Africa
The RMB UTCT possesses a distinctive charm, intertwining the unspoiled splendor of South Africa with the challenging facets of trail running. Each year, the race captivates recurring competitors, such as Canadian Marianne Hogan, the runner up of the UT100 in 2021. Her fond recollections of the course have lured her back, dreaming of an unobstructed sight of the vibrant blue ocean from Suther Peak’s summit. Athletes’ affection for the event extends beyond the competition, with many scheduling additional time to explore Cape Town’s local trails.
This year, five distinct races are scheduled, the most stringent being the 100-mile circuit down the Peninsula, returning via Chapman’s Peak and Hout Bay. This event, while not for the faint-hearted, has gradually morphed into a global must-run race, enticing the biggest names in the sport with its daunting course and breathtaking landscapes.
A Testament to Growth and Endurance
The event continues to progress, with the 100km course expanding from a mere 16 finishers in 2014 to a striking 2,300 runners in recent times. Now featuring a 24-hour cut-off, the route has broadened its appeal to a larger cohort of runners. The introduction of the 100-mile UTCT race, a grueling 167km journey up Table Mountain and across the Peninsula, further enriches the event’s repertoire, posing a supreme endurance challenge.
A significant allure of the event is its extraordinary location. Cape Town, fondly known as the “Mother City”, is renowned for its stunning national park that extends from one side of the city to the other, culminating at the Central Business District (CBD). This natural wonder provides a picturesque canvas for the race, exhibiting its allure to a global viewership via a live YouTube broadcast.
Celebrating Partnerships and Camaraderie
The RMB UTCT’s success since its genesis in 2014 is a tribute to the concerted efforts of its partners. Collaborations with SANParks, the City of Cape Town, and various sponsors have played a vital role in its development. The partnerships have helped shape the event into one of the world’s most recognized ultra-trail events, with this year establishing a new partnership with the diversified South African financial services holding company, RMB.
While athletes tackle the grueling course, spectators can bask in the ambiance at recommended vantage points such as the Alphen Trail on Constantia’s Green Belt and at the University of Cape Town. Alternatively, trail running aficionados can follow the event on YouTube or Instagram to stay abreast of the action.
As the athletes take their positions at the starting line, they aim for more than just personal records or a podium finish. They will strive to represent the sport they love on a global stage, endorse Cape Town as an ideal running and investment hub, and push their boundaries in one of the most stunning landscapes worldwide. The competition will undoubtedly be intense, but the spirit of camaraderie, the shared passion for the sport, and the awe-inspiring environment will render the RMB UTCT an unforgettable experience for all participants.
1. What is the RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town?
The RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town is an international trail running event that features five distinct races, including the most challenging 100-mile circuit down the Peninsula. It attracts participants from over 66 countries and is a testament to human tenacity and the unity and diversity within the sport.
2. Where is the RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town held?
The RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town is held in Cape Town, South Africa. It takes place in late November and features a route that extends from one side of the city to the other, culminating at the Central Business District.
3. Who can participate in the RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town?
The RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town is open to participants from over 66 countries. The event features five distinct races of varying difficulty, so there is an option for trail runners of all skill levels.
4. What is the most challenging race in the RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town?
The most challenging race in the RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town is the 100-mile circuit down the Peninsula. This race is not for the faint-hearted and has gradually morphed into a global must-run race.
5. What partnerships have contributed to the success of the RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town?
The success of the RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town is a tribute to the concerted efforts of its partners, including SANParks, the City of Cape Town, and various sponsors. These partnerships have helped shape the event into one of the world’s most recognized ultra-trail events.
6. How has the RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town evolved over the years?
The event continues to progress, with the 100km course expanding from a mere 16 finishers in 2014 to a striking 2,300 runners in recent times. The introduction of the 100-mile UTCT race, a grueling 167km journey up Table Mountain and across the Peninsula, further enriches the event’s repertoire, posing a supreme endurance challenge.
