Your Karkloof 100 and Karkloof 50 Miler Route!
In 2021, there are some changes to our original route, but, by and large, the route remains pretty similar.
Highlights:
- The biggest change is that the start and finish will be at the Karkloof Country Club.
- The course will still be an out-and-back course.
- The 100-mile route will turn at Benvie Gardens, and the 50-mile will start there.
- The course now boasts more single track than before.
- Spectators will be able to see their runners at numerous places along the route.
- There are approximately 3500m of climbing across the 100 miles.
The course will be broken up into the following segments:
- Karkloof Falls Loop:
Starting at the Karkloof Country Club, runners will do a 16km loop that takes them to the iconic Karkloof Falls. After passing the falls, the route winds its way back to the Country Club. The 1st and 9th aid station will be at the Karkloof Country Club. - Karkloof Country Club to Rockwood:
This section takes runners under the main road and winds its way along the Karkloof River, eventually making its way to Rockwood Farm and the aid station. Rockwood will be aid station 2 and 8. - Rockwood to Bushwillow:
As per previous years, this route climbs up into the indigenous forest, where runners cross the Hidden Falls, and make their way down through the forest, past the Karkloof Canopy tours and eventually into Bushwillow Campsite. Bushwillow will be aid station 3 and 7. - Bushwillow to Mbona Gate
This section links Bushwillow to Mbona Estate. With a tough climb up the estate gates, runners make their way through a series of forestry single track, grassland paths and jeeps tracks. Mbona will be aid station 4 and 6. - Mbona Gate to Benvie Gardens
This section winds its way through the Mbona estate, around some incredible dams. Runners get to run on the manicured grass single track trails in the estate. When leaving the eastern gate of the estate, runners will join up to Benvie farm via some district roads. It’s certainly worthwhile, as runners then get to experience the unparalleled beauty that is the Benvie Gardens. After a short climb, the 100-mile runners get to turn around and do it all again in reverse. Benvie will be aid station 5.
The 50-mile runners will start at Benvie Gardens and make their way along the same route back to the Karkloof Country Club.
Below are maps of the courses:
We will have GPX available closer to the time.
Parts might change slightly due to harvesting of the plantations, as well as a potential fire risk.
We look forward to running the route with you all at the training camp in August! Remember to sign up on the app as soon as possible.
We cannot express how excited we are to share the trails with you.
Take care,
Andrew and Jack
