1ST MARCH 2025
The Cradle Nature Reserve has been made available just for you to follow your passion – trail running. Besides great fast runnable routes with great views, the reserve is also a World UNESCO Heritage Site steeped in history. You will be running past ancient trees, rare plants, sites of Boer War Battles and crossing over reefs that are 500million years old.
CRADLE ULTRA-TRAIL starts and finishes at the Pavilion at the four-star Cradle Boutique Hotel, which is only a 20-minute drive from JHB North. With well-stocked water points, open spaces, a festive race village with delicious food, cold beer and great apparel for sale, the CRADLE ULTRA-TRAIL offers an adventurous and unforgettable trail running experience. Supporters and family members are also welcome to talk to local guides about the property's rich history and the origins of life from unearthed fossils at one of the three active Palaeoanthropological sites.
Cradle Nature Reserve
The Pavilion, Cradle Boutique Hotel, Cradle of Humankind
ENTRY OPTIONS
6KM
R150
Limited to 250 entrants
Finisher Medal
Route Nutrition
Conservation Fee
10KM
R250
Limited to 250 entrants
Finisher Medal
Route Nutrition
Conservation Fee
15KM
R350
Limited to 250 entrants
Finisher Medal
Route Nutrition
Conservation Fee
25KM
R750
Limited to 250 entrants
Athlete Bag
Finisher Medal
Route Nutrition
Conservation Fee
32Gi Voucher
Finisher Burger
Finisher Beer
Finisher Shirt
50KM
R1,350
Limited to 200 entrants
Athlete Bag
Finisher Medal
Route Nutrition
Conservation Fee
32Gi Voucher
Finisher Burger
Finisher Beer
Finisher Shirt
Bag Drop Service
Post Run Massage
THE ROUTES
The CUT Routes are reversed each year bringing on a different challenge.
For 2025, runners will complete the routes in an anti-clockwise direction.
There are five epic routes to choose from – 6KM, 10KM, 15KM, 25KM and 50KM, run mainly on jeep tracks with steep climbs flat plateaus and fast descents through high-veld grasslands, wooded sections, valleys and rugged hills.
This ensures a challenging and rewarding run with stunning views for all fitness levels.
CUT 6KM
6km | 122m
Start time 07H30
1 Water points
2 hr race cut-off
CUT 10KM
10.1km | 189m
Start time 07H15
1 Water points
2 hr race cut-off
CUT 15KM
15.8km | 405m
Start time 07H00
2 Water points
3 hr race cut-off
CUT 25KM
25.5km | 626m
Start time 06H00
3 Water points
5 hr race cut-off
CUT 50KM
51.4km | 1,216m
Start time 05H00
4 Water points
8 hrs race cut-off
CRADLE ULTRA-TRAIL
RACE VILLAGE
Bring the whole family along! There is lots to keep them entertained even if they aren't running.
After your race, you're welcome to join us for a great social event in the Cradle Ultra-Trail Race Village.
Get your morning fix from Coffee Run. And compare your Strava segments over a cold beer or gin in the Beer Garden. Or head to the pool and cool off those legs. Feeling a little stiff? Give your legs the love they need with a massage at the Recharge Sports Therapy zone or take the plunge into one of our Ice Baths. Grab some of the best food around from the Cradle Boutique Hotel chefs. Pop around to one of our sporting partners activation store. Or simply hang about and learn more about this UNESCO World Heritage site with stories about the Boer war, rare plants and flowers that can be found in the reserve and what hidden treasures have been unearthed at the active fossil sites.
PRIZES and GIVE-AWAYS
Podium finishers must unequivocally prove they have completed the stipulated distance by supplying verifiable race data through mobile phone recordings, dedicated apps, or GPS watches – no exemptions permitted.
6KM
10KM
15KM
25KM
50KM
(Male & Female)
1st
TBA
2nd
TBA
3rd
TBA
(Male & Female)
1st
TBA
2nd
TBA
3rd
TBA
(Male & Female)
1st
TBA
2nd
TBA
3rd
TBA
(Male & Female)
1st
TBA
2nd
TBA
3rd
TBA
(Male & Female)
1st
TBA
2nd
TBA
3rd
TBA
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
REGISTRATION AND START TIMES
FRIDAY 28 FEBRUARY
15H00 - 18H00: Early Registration
TBC
SATURDAY 1 MARCH
04H00: Venue and Registration Opens
04H45: 50KM Race Briefing
05H00: 50KM Start
05H45: 25KM Race Briefing
06H00: 25KM Start
06H45: 15KM Race Briefing
07H00: 15KM Race Start
07H15: 10KM Race Start
07H30: 6KM Race Start
09H00: Award Ceremony (6KM. 10KM, 15KM, 25KM)
10H30: Award Ceremony (50KM)
15H00: Venue closes
ACCOMMODATION
ACCOMMODATION
Make the most of your weekend and stay over at Cradle Boutique Hotel.
Recipient of the 2021 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award – the hotel consists of 31 upmarket hotel rooms.
Cradle Boutique Hotel
Cradle of Humankind, R540 Kromdraai, 1739
MERCHANDISE
The Cradle Ultra-Trail shirts design was inspired by captivating wildlife, rich history and natural wonders encountered at the Cradle Nature Reserve. Can you spot the various characters? These moisture management shirts can be purchased with your entry. Each colour represents the various distances.
The 25KM and 50KM runners will be a shirt as part of their entry.
6KM
10KM
15KM
25KM
50KM
RACE GUIDE
The Race Guide will be available closer to race day.
The Race Guide will contain everything the participant needs to know about the race.
PARTNERS
