For The Trails Community Runs
What is For The Trails Community Runs?
“For The Trails” are a community based set of runs within the Outeniqua Mountains. All funds raised will go towards local trail maintenance and safety efforts.
The "Vert Runs" will form part of a 3 event series, with the first two building up to the finale run in March. This is an initiative by the “MUT by UTMB” to raise funds, give back to the community and create a space to have fun in the Outeniqua Mountains.
The Series Dates are:
- 23 December 2023 - Vandalens Fest
- 20 January 2024 - George Peaking
- 9 March 2024 - The Vert Run
Each event will consist of a longer, more strenuous run and a shorter, more achievable run, each building up to the finale in March. The aim is to raise funds but also to help prepare runners for the MUT by UTMB race in May 2024.
These runs will have a "no fuss" approach, giving you a good time in the mountain and a high five at the end. The minimum fee to participate will be R200 per event, but you are welcome to donate more to the cause. Prizes up for grabs include entries for the MUT by UTMB, as well as other prizes from our sponsors.
"Expect Nothing, Appreciate Everything"
9 March 2024 - The Vert Run
The finale of the Vert Run Series of the "For The Trails Community Runs" will be tagging both the Vandalens Peak and the George Peak in the Outeniqua Mountain Range.
The run will start and finish at the Trail Kiosk, in Van Riebeeck Gardens in George. This route will combine both the routes from the Vandalens Fest and George Peaking routes making it the full loop, tagging both the Vandalens Peak and the George Peak with a total distance of 23km and 1965m of elevation gain. Be prepared!
The run will start and finish at the Trail Kiosk, in Van Riebeeck Gardens in George. The short loop of the finale will include Vandalens Peak, the Cross and the infamous Henry's Hill. Making it a challenging run but not climbing all the way to George Peak as well. The route will be 14km and 1024m elevation gain. Be prepared for the final short loop of the Vert Run series.
- Start Time: 07:00AM - Both Short and Full Loops.
- Arival from 06:00AM
- Venue: Trail Kiosk, Van Riebeeck Gardens, Heatherlands, George. LINK: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4L9kt9C9Bn4mKiwe6
- Cost: R200 minimum donation towards the GTR Trail Fund, but you are welcome to donate more.
- Included in Donation: Fun day out in the mountain with like minded people. Prizes up for grabs by our sponsors and MUT by UTMB Entries. We will have an official timing system in place.
You are expected to be self sufficient in the mountain, carry everything you will need to spend up to 6 hours out there. It is summer so plan to have enough water and food with you. There will be only one aid station for both race distances.
20 January 2024 - George Peaking
The second Vert Run of the "For The Trails Community Runs" will be tagging the George Peak in the Outeniqua Mountain Range
The run will start and finish at the Trail Kiosk, in Van Riebeeck Gardens in George. This route will summit George Peak via the vertical kilometer climb. It will be a 16km run with 1368m elevation gain coming down the mountain via the "saddle" route, one of the local favourite mountain loops in the Outeniqua.
The run will start and finish at the Trail Kiosk, in Van Riebeeck Gardens in George. It is a 10km run with 640m elevation gain, it will not summit George peak but rather go out to the Cross and down Thunderbird and the infamous Henry's hill.
- Start Time: 06:00AM - Both Short and Full Loops.
- Venue: Trail Kiosk, Van Riebeeck Gardens, Heatherlands, George. LINK: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4L9kt9C9Bn4mKiwe6
- Cost: R200 minimum donation towards the GTR Trail Fund, but you are welcome to donate more.
- Included in Donation: Fun day out in the mountain with like minded people. Prizes up for grabs by our sponsors and MUT by UTMB Entries. We will have an official timing system in place.
You are expected to be self sufficient in the mountain, carry everything you will need to spend up to 6 hours out there. It is summer so plan to have enough water and food with you. There will be no waterpoints or aid along the route.
23 December 2023 - Vandalens Fest
The first Vert Run of the "For The Trails Community Runs" will be tagging the Vandalens Peak in the Outeniqua Mountain Range
The run will start and finish at the Trail Kiosk, in Van Riebeeck Gardens in George. The Full loop is a 13km run with 768m elevation gain, traversing the Vandalen's ridgeline and the famous Tonnelbos section of the MUT by UTMB route.
The run will start and finish at the Trail Kiosk, in Van Riebeeck Gardens in George. The Short loop is a 12km run with 513m elevation gain. The short loop will not traverse the Vandalens ridgeline but will still go through the famous Tonnelbos section. Although only 1km shorter, it will have significantly less climbing.
- Start Time: 06:00AM - Both Short and Full Loops.
- Venue: Trail Kiosk, Van Riebeeck Gardens, Heatherlands, George. LINK: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4L9kt9C9Bn4mKiwe6
- Cost: R200 minimum donation towards the GTR Trail Fund, but you are welcome to donate more.
- Included in Donation: Fun day out in the mountain with like minded people. Prizes up for grabs by our sponsors and MUT by UTMB Entries. We will have an official timing system in place.
You are expected to be self sufficient in the mountain, carry everything you will need to spend up to 6 hours out there. It is summer so plan to have enough water and food with you. There will be no waterpoints or aid along the route.
