Addo Elephant Trail Run 2026

trail ultra wildlife elephants Addo South Africa Eastern Cape

Addo Elephant Trail Run 2026: 21km, 50km, 50 mile & 100 mile through Addo Elephant National Park. March 19-22, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Information

Date From 19/03/2026 to 22/03/2026

Location Addo

Organizer Addo Elephant Trail Run

Contact

Website

Social networks

Formats

ultra-trail long-trail half-marathon

Description

Trail Running Through Africa's Elephant Country

The Addo Elephant Trail Run is one of South Africa's most unique trail running events, set in and around Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape. The event offers runners the rare experience of trail running through genuine Big Five territory, with routes winding along riverbanks, through lush valleys and over the rugged Zuurberg Mountains — all within one of South Africa's most important conservation areas.

Powered by On, the Addo Elephant Trail Run has grown into a multi-distance festival catering to everyone from casual half-marathon runners to hardcore ultra endurance athletes tackling the gruelling 100-mile distance. The scenic routes traverse diverse terrain from subtropical valley bushveld to mountaintop grasslands, with the ever-present possibility of encountering the park's famous elephant herds and other wildlife.

Courses and Formats

100 Mile

The flagship 100-mile distance is the ultimate Addo experience — a massive point-to-point ultra that takes runners through the full diversity of the Zuurberg Mountains and surrounding terrain. Starting Friday at 11:00 AM with a cutoff at 3:00 AM Sunday, this is a true test of endurance through remote mountain and valley terrain in elephant country.

50 Mile

The 50-mile distance winds through valleys and over the Zuurberg Mountains, covering the most dramatic sections of the route with substantial climbing and technical mountain terrain.

50 km

The 50-kilometre ultra starts Saturday morning (07:00) with a 10:00 PM cutoff, offering a full day of challenging mountain trail running through the heart of the Addo landscape.

21 km — Half Marathon

The 21-kilometre half marathon provides an accessible entry point, covering the most scenic sections of the route while giving runners a taste of the Addo trail experience.

Terrain and Conditions

The terrain around Addo combines valley floor trails along rivers, steep mountain climbs through the Zuurberg range, technical rocky descents and exposed ridgeline running. The vegetation ranges from dense subtropical valley bushveld to open mountain grasslands and indigenous forest. March in the Eastern Cape brings warm temperatures (20-30°C) with the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms.

Practical Information

Wildlife: the race passes through areas with elephants and other wildlife — safety protocols are in place
Getting there: Addo is 75 km north of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), with regular flights to PE Airport
Registration: entries close February 25, 2026 or when sold out

Will I see elephants during the Addo trail run?

The race takes place in and around Addo Elephant National Park, home to over 600 elephants. While the course is designed to minimise wildlife encounters, sightings of elephants and other animals are possible and are part of the unique Addo experience. Safety marshals and protocols are in place throughout.

How tough is the 100-mile distance?

The 100-mile distance is extremely challenging, covering the full Zuurberg mountain range with massive elevation gain. The 40-hour cutoff (Friday 11 AM to Sunday 3 AM) and the combination of heat, technical terrain and remote mountain running make this one of South Africa's toughest 100-mile events.

When is the best time to register?

Entries close on February 25, 2026 or when sold out. The 100-mile and 50-mile distances tend to sell out first. Early registration is recommended, especially for the longer distances.

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