WESSA Ultra Trail Festival
- KZN Trail Championships -
24 October 2026
100 years of conservation. A race for KZN honours.
KZNTR has the privilege of hosting the inaugural WESSA Ultra Trail Festival on 24 October 2026 at WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve, celebrating WESSA’s 100th anniversary . The event has also been nominated as KZN Trail Championships, for those with their sights set on provincial selection.
Set in one of the Midlands’ most treasured natural spaces, the festival brings runners together to celebrate a century of conservation through a shared love of trails. With its grasslands, indigenous forests and spectacular valley views, uMngeni Valley offers a fitting setting for both a memorable day outdoors and a contest for provincial honours.
KZN Trail Championships
Four festival events will serve as the championship races:
5.85 km — U20 Classic
12 km — Senior Classic
36 km — Short Trail
75 km — Long Trail
For athletes pursuing provincial selection, participation in the this KZN Trail Championships event is compulsory unless an approved exemption is granted. The top two eligible athletes in each event will be eligible to apply for selection, with season-long performances and verified results also considered.
If KZN colours are your goal, review the ASA selection criteria and confirm your licence and club status before entering. A championship result does not guarantee selection.
Whether you’re racing for provincial honours, testing yourself over a new distance or enjoying the trails, join us for a festival that celebrates the connection between running and the natural spaces that make it possible.
24 October 2026. WESSA uMngeni Valley. A century of conservation. KZN Trail Champs.
- Date: Saturday, 24 October 2026
- Registration: 02:30 onwards
- Race Briefing: 15min before each race
- Race Types: Loop
- Venue: WESSA uMngeni Nature Reserve, Howick
- No Pets
- FAQs and T's and C's Here
*By entering you accept the terms and conditions, indemnity and waiver for this event. Click to view.
Courses
Compulsory Kit.
Mandatory kit checks may be carried out before, during or after the race
Min Bandages
Additional Kit.
Cold Conditions
Warm Conditions
Download file: KZNTR-WESSA-Ultra-Trail-Festival-Oct-2026-75km-Course.gpx
Compulsory Kit.
Mandatory kit checks may be carried out before, during or after the race
Min Bandages
Additional Kit.
Cold Conditions
Warm Conditions
Download file: KZNTR-WESSA-Ultra-Trail-Festival-Oct-2026-50km-Course.gpx
Compulsory Kit.
Mandatory kit checks may be carried out before, during or after the race
Min Bandages
Additional Kit.
Cold Conditions
Warm Conditions
Download file: KZNTR-WESSA-Ultra-Trail-Festival-Oct-2026-Extended-Course.gpx
Compulsory Kit.
Mandatory kit checks may be carried out before, during or after the race
Min Bandages
Additional Kit.
Cold Conditions
Warm Conditions
Download file: KZNTR-WESSA-Ultra-Trail-Festival-Oct-2026-Long-Course.gpx
Compulsory Kit: There is no compulsory kit requirements for this race. Courses are subject to change.
Download file: KZNTR-WESSA-Ultra-Trail-Festival-Oct-2026-Medium-Course.gpx
Compulsory Kit: There is no compulsory kit requirements for this race. Courses are subject to change.
Download file: KZNTR-WESSA-Ultra-Trail-Festival-Oct-2026-Short-Course.gpx
