The boom in trail running over the past few years prompted the Two Oceans Marathon race office to introduce its very own trail run through the forests above UCT offering inspiring vistas over the peninsula on Good Friday, 6 April 2012

Both the Short and the Long runs start at the UCT grounds and take runners along the lower slopes of Devil’s Peak and nearby forests. Open to beginners and experienced trail runners, the challenging routes offer runners varied terrain with steep ascents and descents.

The Trail Runs will take place on Good Friday, 6 April 2012 at 07:00.  Cut off for both distances is 4 hours (11:30).  Both routes start at the Jameson Plaza, UCT and take in sections of forest, the slopes of Devils Peak and Groote Schuur Estate, finishing on the UCT rugby fields.

Entry Details

Capacity for the race has been reached and entries for the trail runs are closed.

Timing

All runners will be required to wear a RaceTec timing chip on one of their shoes during the race. The chip must be registered in the runner’s name and not belong to someone else. Runners who do not own a chip (or have lost theirs) must enclose the additional timing chip fee of R100 with their entry fee. Runners who have ordered timing chips will find these in their race packs at Registration before the race. The timing chip becomes your property after the race and can be used for all events in SA that use the same timing system.

It is compulsory to have your timing chip at Registration in order to collect your race pack (with your race number, etc.). Please ensure that you keep your timing chip in a safe place after the race in order to avoid having to buy a new chip.

NO TIMING CHIP, NO RESULT. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Trail Routes

Both routes start from the University of Cape Town (UCT) grounds and will take runners along the lower slopes of Devil’s Peak and adjacent forests. Beginner trail runners should enter the short distance, as trail running times are often double that of road running. This is due to the variable terrain and the steep ascents and descents. Trail runners should wear trail shoes for better grip and carry their own hydration – a bladder pack or hip belt. View Route Map

Short Run (±10km)
Looping out of UCT on the ring road, the first kilometer is a gradual uphill. Leaving the UCT grounds, you run a short section of tar, before swinging up onto Devil’s Peak with a “quaint” wake up hill. This leads you onto a contour trail that meanders through the forests and meets up with the main ‘Plumpudding’ jeep track. A speedy downhill takes you to the Pine forests and a long uphill climb to the start of the Woodcutters Trail, the Avatar indigenous forest section. This is a beautiful contour path that crosses the Newlands stream, where a drink of water may be possible. Meeting up with a jeep track, the route heads down for 200 metres and then turns left, back to the Pines, crossing the river again. From the Pines you are on the home straight, but a technical winding downhill via the Oaks awaits you. This bit of fun pops out at the Old Zoo and you are almost home. Cross the road and sprint the last few hundred meters to the finish line.

Long Course (±22km)
This should be done by experienced trail runners, rather than beginners. The route is quite tough, with exposed cliff sections and one tricky downward scramble (marshals will be present). The first k is the UCT ring road loop, which takes you up to Rhodes Memorial. A gentle uphill to meet the Plumpudding track heading north around Devil’s Peak towards Cape Town. These first few kays are very runable, with electric views of the harbour, Robben Island and the city. The romance is interrupted with a nasty uphill grind (this is trail running after all), which meets the start of the short bundu bash – an unfinished road. This scratchy scramble takes you to the jeep tracks again, and your legs can calmly rotate until meeting the long uphill to the cannons. This lung buster has you reaching Tafelberg Road and some emergency water.

The route crosses the road and takes the diagonal trail up to Oppelskop, where all your effort is rewarded with awesome views of Table Mountain. Swinging left, you are on the Middle Traverse, a pleasant contour that loops you around Devil’s Peak to the blockhouse. The scramble down to the Block House is to be done at a slow and gentle pace, but you can speed up again once meeting the jeep track. A nice shady downhill is next, followed by ‘bastard hill’ – an old trail that heads straight up the mountain.

Hints & Tips

• Water – carry your own! Either a hydration pack or hip belt bottle holder.
• The route is marked, but doing on route training is a good idea – maps are available on the website.
• Trail running has obstacles such as rocks, roots, branches and bushes – concentrate!
• Trail running times are often double for the same road running distance.
• Be prepared for the weather on the day, e.g. sun hat and lotion, or wind breaker and warm kit.
• If attempting to pass another runner on the single track, be polite.
• We are in a nature reserve so no litter of any sort please.
• Running in mountains takes you to remote areas.
• Enjoy the journey and the views.