Entries are open!!! Early Bird closes on 13 November 2025.

The Rhodes Run, South Africa’s iconic, breathtaking trail run, is staged in the tranquil beauty of the southern Drakensberg mountains in the Eastern Cape Highlands, surrounding the Victorian-era village of Rhodes.

The atmosphere before and after the race is extremely festive. It is common for the temperature at the start to be below zero (usually around -10 degrees Celsius!).

In the true spirit of trail running, there are no financial prizes, other than a few floating trophies. All our runners are treated equally, with the same pre- and post-race handouts, which, in themselves, are usually rather special.

The route starts and ends in the village of Rhodes. The traditional distance is 52km, subject to conditions.

The race starts in Rhodes, heading up the Bell River towards Naude’s Nek pass. It crosses the Bell River and then follows the Kloppershoekspruit towards Mavis Bank.

At the Mavis Bank Farm Check Point (+/- 13km), the route moves into the Kloppershoekkloof. A suitable route along footpaths and livestock trails will be marked by flags. After multiple crossings of the Kloppershoekspruit, runners face Mavis Bank, with a steep climb (1:3) out of the valley.  There is a 4 1/2 hour cut-off point at the top of Mavis Bank (+/-21km).

Once at the Tenahead-Tiffindell traverse(traditionally known as the Border Road), it follows the track to Tiffindell, past Lesotho View.

Just below Ben MacDhui (the second highest peak in the Eastern Cape at 3001m) and past Tiffindel, the fourth feedstation nestles in the Quarry (+/-30km). Depending on conditions and agreements with the farmers, the route heads around Hooggenoeg and over the “tufts of terror”.  At Hooggenoeg, the route joins the road down towards the Carlisleshoekspruit.

Then it’s mostly downhill through the valley, but don’t be fooled.  It’s a steep, knee-jarring descent (1:2.3 in places).  Once past the final feed station at Den Hagen Farm, it’s an easy meander back over the Bell River and into Rhodes. Be prepared for the final hill into the village, past the police station!

The race starts at 1800m, reaches its highest point at 2680m (8793 ft), and has an average “on top” of 2560m.

The cumulative climb is approximately 1600m.