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 85km 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.
PLEASE NOTE: Enduro categories are limited to a total of 180 participants due to chip limitations
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
Saturday 23rd May 2026 – Registration from 06h30 to 08h30
| Time |
Event |
Early Bird |
Normal Entry |
Late Entry |
| 08h00 |
21km Run |
R250 |
R275 |
R325 |
| 08h10 |
15km Run |
R200 |
R225 |
R275 |
| 08h20 |
9km Run |
R175 |
R200 |
R250 |
Event Pricing & Times – MTB Enduro
Saturday 23rd May 2026 – Registration from 06h30 to 08h30
| Time |
Event |
Early Bird |
Normal Entry |
Late Entry |
| 08h30 |
E-Bike Enduro |
R490 |
R540 |
R590 |
| 08h30 |
Full Enduro |
R490 |
R540 |
R590 |
| 08h30 |
Lite Enduro |
R225 |
R250 |
R300 |
Event Pricing & Times – MTB Marathons
Sunday 24th May 2026 – Registration from 05h30 to 09h50
| Time |
Event |
Early Bird |
Normal Entry |
Late Entry |
| 07h00 |
75km MTB |
R500 |
R550 |
R600 |
| 08h00 |
60km MTB |
R400 |
R450 |
R500 |
| 08h30 |
40km MTB |
R300 |
R350 |
R400 |
| 09h15 |
20km MTB |
R250 |
R275 |
R325 |
| 09h40 |
10km MTB Fun Ride |
R150 |
R175 |
R200 |
| 09h50 |
9km Fun Trail Run |
R175 |
R200 |
R250 |
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.
Online Entry Schedule
| Entry Type |
Open |
Close |
| Early Bird |
9th March |
31st March |
| Normal Entry |
1st April |
17th May |
| Late Entry |
18th May |
21st May |
