Sappi Karkloof Trail Festival (2026 SA Marathon Champs)

Sappi Karkloof Trail Festival 2026

 

The Sappi Karkloof Trail Festival will take place at the Absa Karkloof Country Club from the 23rd to the 24th of May 2026. The event saw a massive surge in competitors in 2025 and is aiming to make 2026 even bigger and better. The event also plays host to the SA Marathon Champs and SA National Enduro Champs and the club is proud to be hosting these events in 2026.

 

Saturday 23rd May will be a day for the Runners with 3 trail running distances to choose from (21km, 15km and 9km). The day is also one for the Enduro riders with a Full Enduro, E-bike Enduro and an Enduro Lite.

 

Sunday the 24th May will be a day for the Marathon MTB riders, with MTB race distances ranging from 10km for the Fun Riders, right up to 75km for the strongest competitors. For the more fun-loving trail running crowd, there will be a 9km Fun Run.


ROUTE DESCRIPTIONS – TRAIL RUNS

SAT | 21km TRAIL RUN

A challenging timed running race through the Karkloof forests, boulder hopping over the majestic Karkloof River, with fitness-testing climbs to reach some magnificent views not available to the public.

SAT | 15km TRAIL RUN

Our mid-distance timed running race through the Karkloof forests, boulder hopping over the majestic Karkloof River, with some moderate climbs to bring some sense of achievement.

SAT & SUN | 9km TRAIL RUN

A less strenuous running race through the Karkloof forests, boulder hopping over the majestic Karkloof River, with some manageable climbing.

 

ROUTE DESCRIPTIONS - ENDURO

SAT | FULL ENDURO

This year’s Sappi Karkloof Trail Festival will host the SA National Enduro Champs. The event now offers the Enduro riders all the same riding challenges but with the addition of National bragging rights! The Full Enduro riders get to put themselves to the test with 5 full enduro stages with technical and challenging routes, to separate the best from the rest. Focus and flow is key.

NOTE: Riders competing in the Junior and Elite Categories require CSA racing licenses. Full face helmets are required as per UCI Rules.

SAT | E-BIKE ENDURO

With all the same technical routes as the Full Enduro above, but with the added power and low down weight, this class is proving to be a fast growing event.

NOTE: Full face helmets are required as per UCI Rules.

SAT | ENDURO LITE

A entry into the world of enduro for riders needing a shorter distance with 3 stages to test yourselves on, with B-lines provided for those still grasping the discipline.

NOTE: Full face helmets are required as per UCI Rules.


ROUTE DESCRIPTIONS – MTB MARATHONS

SUN | 75km MTB

An ultra-tough Marathon Champs timed race for elite riders, speeding through Karkloof forests, testing your fitness up mountains and your technical ability through some of the best flowing singles tracks in the country. Pre-qualified entrants with CSA racing licenses only. No E-bikes permitted.

SUN | 60km MTB

A challenging timed race aimed at riders with good technical ability and good fitness to experience the best the Karkloof has the offer on climbs and flowing technical single tracks.

SUN | 40km MTB

A moderate timed race aimed at fitter riders wanting to test themselves on the slightly longer routes of combined single track and jeep track, with a few good climbs thrown in but less technical single track to keep the flows going with views of the majestic Karkloof Falls along the route.

SUN | 20km MTB

An easier timed race for riders looking to experience the serenity of the Karkloof forests along mostly jeep tracks and some single track without any technical obstacles to worry about, ensuring smiles all round and an enjoyable event with views of the majestic Karkloof Falls along the route.

SUN | 10km MTB Fun Ride

An easy fun ride for Kids and Parents to enjoy through the scenic jeep track roads in the forests of the Karkloof.

EVENT PRICING & TIMES - TRAIL RUNS

EVENT PRICING & TIMES – MTB ENDURO

 

EVENT PRICING & TIMES – MTB MARATHONS

 

Online Entries will open and close as follows:

ENTRY TYPE

OPEN

CLOSE

Early Bird

9th March

31st March

Normal Entry

1st April

17th May

Late Entry

18th May

21st May

Late entries will also be available on the day of the event at the ABSA Karkloof Country Club and the late entry price will apply. On the day entries will not be eligible for event garments.



Event Sappi Karkloof Trail Festival (2026 SA Marathon Champs)
Event Date Saturday 23 May 2026
Event Website www.karkloofclub.co.za
Email Address manager@karkloofclub.co.za
Contact Number 077 606 0547

ENTRY CATEGORIES FEE
Categories Age Eligibility Distance Early Bird Standard Late
17+ 21km R250.00 R275.00 R325.00
13+ 15km R200.00 R225.00 R275.00
10+ 9km R175.00 R200.00 R250.00

Please Login or Register to continue

Login Register


ENTRY CATEGORIES FEE
Categories Age Eligibility Distance Early Bird Standard Late
13+ 5 Stages R490.00 R540.00 R590.00
19+ 5 Stages R490.00 R540.00 R590.00
8+ 3 Stages R225.00 R250.00 R300.00

Please Login or Register to continue

Login Register


ENTRY CATEGORIES FEE
Categories Age Eligibility Distance Early Bird Standard Late
19+ 75km R500.00 R540.00 R600.00
15+ 60km R400.00 R450.00 R500.00
15+ 40km R300.00 R350.00 R400.00
15+ 60km R400.00 R450.00 R500.00
15+ 40km R300.00 R350.00 R400.00

Please Login or Register to continue

Login Register


ENTRY CATEGORIES FEE
Categories Age Eligibility Distance Early Bird Standard Late
8+ 20km R250.00 R275.00 R325.00
8+ 20km R250.00 R275.00 R325.00
4+ 10km R150.00 R175.00 R200.00

Please Login or Register to continue

Login Register


ENTRY CATEGORIES FEE
Categories Age Eligibility Distance Early Bird Standard Late
10+ 9km R175.00 R200.00 R250.00

Please Login or Register to continue

Login Register


INFORMATION – SA MARATHON CHAMPS

License requirements for riders participating in this year’s events are as follows: 

Elite Men & Women – Domestic Racing License

All Age Group Championships – CSA Membership

Non Championship Entrants – Day License if you do not have a CSA Membership

 

Registration for SA Marathon Champs will be held at the ABSA Karkloof Club on Saturday 23rd May from 11h00 to 16h00. It is compulsory for all participants in the 75km event (Elite Men and Woman, Sub-Vet and Veteran Men) to register on Saturday. All routes will be closed on Saturday morning but will be open again for practise from 14h00. Your CSA number board will allow you access to the course for practise on Saturday 23rd May

 

If you are entering SA Marathon Champs, please check the racing categories below carefully to make sure you are entering the correct event. Prizes are specific to events and categories. Junior, Youth, Sub-Junior, Sprog and Nipper categories are NOT part of SA Marathon Champs but will receive category prizes from the event:

 

75km MTB – Elite Men and Woman, Sub Vet Men and Veteran Men

60km MTB – Sub Vet Woman, Veteran Woman, Master Men and Woman, Grand Master Men and Woman, Junior Men and Woman, Youth Men and Woman.

20km MTB – Nipper Boys and Girls, Sprog Boys and Girls, Sub Junior Boys and Girls   

Registration powered by EasyReg.co.za, for more information contact at info@easyreg.co.za or +27 87 551 2604 | Terms & Conditions | Ticket Refund Guarantee FAQ