Africa's Toughest Footrace takes you through the wild valleys, mountains and vineyards of the Western Cape and Cederberg.
The MAX 2027 is capped at 100 runners and entry is by application, not a straight sale. The 2026 edition sold out in days and the waitlist filled. We review every application to make sure the field is ready for 330km. We prioritise runners with multi-day or ultra experience, and previous Ultra X finishers are prioritised.
Worried about completing every stage? If you don’t finish a stage of the MAX, you can switch to the Challenge for the remaining stages, covering half the distance each day and starting at the midway point of that day’s route.
Each night, runners come together in an exclusive wild camp far from the noise of the outside world. You’ll have your own private tent beneath the stars and gather around the campfire, the beating heart of every evening, where the day’s stories are shared, friendships are forged and #theultraxperience comes alive. The route is as varied as it is unforgiving: extreme shifts in temperature, serious climbing and ever-changing terrain underfoot. For those who take it on, Ultra X South Africa is an extraordinary adventure and a true test of endurance, strength and spirit.
This is not just a race. It is an immersion into South Africa’s natural wonder and cultural warmth. The route is as varied as it is unforgiving, with extreme shifts in temperature, challenging elevation gains, and ever-changing terrain underfoot. For those who take it on, Ultra X South Africa is an extraordinary adventure and a true test of endurance, strength, and spirit.
We understand that competitors may wish to travel to South Africa with family or friends. We are working on a friends and family package to allow them to join you on the final day of the adventure.
If one of your party would like to volunteer at the race while you take part, they can complete the Volunteer Application Form and we will do our best to accommodate them.
| Included | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Full physiotherapy service all week | ||
| Accommodation in solo tents during the race - 19-23 October. | ||
| Fully marked course | ||
| Medical staff on course and at the campsite | ||
| Special first edition Yeti 20oz rambler | ||
| Tea, coffee, soft drinks and cold beer offered 24/7 free of charge | ||
| Ground assistance and full safety support | ||
| Option to purchase images from the event photographer | ||
| UTMB World Series Indexed race (100k category) | ||
| Finisher’s medal | ||
| GPS Tracker | ||
| Flights | ||
| Accommodation before or after the race (this can be purchased as an extra during registration) | ||
| Personal food, kit and equipment | ||
| Comprehensive insurance (to cover cancellations, loss of items, injury etc) | ||
| Training costs | ||
| Spending money | ||
| Transport home for runners who are disqualified or withdraw early |