THE GAUNTLET 2026

The Gauntlet 2026 is an 18-hour backyard-style ultra with a twist. The rules stay simple: one lap every hour, on the hour. The catch? You won’t know how far you’re running until a card is pulled from the hat. Each draw reveals the distance - sometimes manageable, sometimes brutal - maybe 4km, maybe 8km, and every hour is a new gamble.

It’s chance layered over endurance. You can’t predict what’s coming, and you can’t strategise your way out of it. The Gauntlet asks for something far harder: the willingness to line up again and again, no matter what card the hour gives you.

At its core, The Gauntlet is a reminder that running isn’t only about distance or pace, but how you meet the unknown. It’s a challenge built for runners who want to test themselves in a way no stopwatch can measure.

So the question for 2026 is simple: how far can you go when the distance is left entirely to chance?

Where? Kruistementvlei Farm, Piketberg, Western Cape, South Africa

When? Saturday 21 March 2025

Time? 18:00 pm Start

Costs

Early Bird (Closes 31 December 2025): R950 per runner

General Entries (Closes 31 January 2026): R1150 per runner

Late Entries (Closes 28 February 2026): R1450 per runner

We are pet friendly as long as you have a friendly pet! There are humans, chickens, pigs, cats, dogs and other wild animals on the farm. We all live in harmony, if you think your animal can fit in he / she is welcome. We will not tolerate animals that eat our pets or chase our staff.

What's Included?

Each Runner will Receive:

• A Medal (Even if you only complete one lap)

• A T Shirt (Only for Entries received before 31 January 2026)

• A Goodie Bag (Only for Entries received before 31 January 2026)

• 2 Nights Camping (Saturday 21 March - Monday 23 March)

The Venue

A Trail Runner's Paradise! Kruistementvlei Farm is the kind of place that makes you fall in love with the trails all over again. Winding single tracks cut through mountains, rivers, dams, and carpets of green grass beneath towering trees. As night falls, the soundtrack shifts - owls call, frogs sing, and silence stretches wide while a sky full of stars slowly appears above. In the early evening, satellites streak across the heavens, while the surrounding rock formations catch the fading light, shimmering with changing colour and shape. Well-marked hiking paths lead you through pristine fynbos and across koppies, where caves adorned with San paintings remind us of those who walked these lands long before us.

Getting here is just as remarkable as the destination itself. Whether you’re traveling from Cape Town or Namibia, the N7 takes you through ever-changing landscapes: rolling fields of green wheat and golden canola in spring, or stubble lands glowing with warm hues after harvest. In summer, the vineyards and orchards bring unexpected bursts of green among the brown hills, each turn a reminder of the vast beauty of open country.

The climb up Versfeld Pass to Piket-Bo-Berg will take your breath away, offering sweeping views across the valley. And once you reach the top, you’ll discover a thriving farming community tucked away on the mountain - apples, pears, persimmons, plums, peaches, grapes, and seasonal vegetables fill the land, nourished by cooler air and lush greenery.

It’s a place of contrasts: rugged and raw, yet peaceful and restorative. A destination that’s unforgettable - not just for the trails, but for the journey that gets you there.

The Logistics

Event Schedule

• Race Registration: Saturday, 21 March 2026 - from 13:00 to 16:00

• Race Briefing: Saturday 21 March 2026 at 17:00

• Camping Check-In: Saturday, 21 March 2026 - from 9:00 onwards

• Camping Check-Out: Monday 23 March 2026 - before 12:00

Rules

• Dogs: Friendly, well-trained dogs are welcome. Owners are fully responsible for their pets at all times. If your dog causes issues with other runners, spectators, or animals, you may be asked to leave.

• Fires: No open flames are allowed in the campsite. Fires are only permitted at designated accommodation areas. Please bring your own food and cooking equipment.

• Nutrition: While a small selection of vendors and hydration sponsors will be available, runners must take responsibility for their own race nutrition, snacks, and fueling.

• Prizes: Awards will be given to those who complete the full 18 hours. Spot prizes and special recognitions may also be awarded.

• Fair Play: Cheating, route-cutting, or any form of unsportsmanlike behavior will result in immediate disqualification and removal from the event.

• Environment: This is a leave-no-trace event. Please respect the trails, nature, and surrounding community by carrying all litter with you.

• Safety: Runners must wear headlamps or reflective gear for night laps. Listening devices (e.g., headphones) are permitted, but awareness of surroundings is essential for safety.

• Medical: There will be basic first aid available on site, but runners are ultimately responsible for monitoring their own health and knowing their limits.

• Support Crew: Supporters are welcome, but must remain in designated areas and respect event boundaries.

• Weather: The event will go ahead in all weather conditions unless it is deemed unsafe by organizers. Please come prepared for changing conditions.