Saturday 22 November 2025
Kruistementvlei Farm Piketberg
8:00 AM - 20:00 PM

The Gauntlet is a 12 hour backyard style ultra… with a twist.

Every hour, on the hour, runners gather at the start line for the next lap. But unlike a traditional backyard ultra, you won’t know how far you’ll be running until the race director draws a card from the hat. 

That card decides the lap distance, and everyone runs the same. It could be as short as 4km, or as long as 8km. In the later hours, if enough runners are still standing, you might even see a few longer laps sneak their way in.

That’s the spirit of The Gauntlet: it’s unpredictable by design.

The route itself is built to be as rewarding as it is demanding. Flowing single track makes up most of the course, winding through mountains, rivers, dams, boulders, and forests. Along the way, you’ll also face stretches of jeep track, tricky technical sections, and short, sharp climbs that keep the effort spicy. It’s a course that offers both beauty and bite - a true trail runner’s playground.

This isn’t just a test of fitness; it’s a game of chance layered over endurance. You can’t plan your pace or predict your splits. All you can do is keep showing up, lap after lap, no matter what the deck deals. The only certainty is the next lap, and whether you’re ready to step up when the bell rings.

At the end, prizes will go to the three fastest runners on the final lap. 

But The Gauntlet isn’t only about the podium. Every runner who takes part earns a medal - even if they call it a day after their very first lap. And for those who commit early, all entries before Sunday 5 October 2025 come with an official Gauntlet shirt.

​

The Gauntlet is more than a race. It’s a challenge, a gamble, and an experience designed for runners who aren’t afraid to face the unknown.

So lace up, take your place at the line, and ask yourself: