1ST MARCH 2025
The Cradle Ultra Trail, presented by Books and Decathlon, takes place in the majestic greater Cradle Nature Reserve on a privately owned UNESCO World Heritage site. The reserve has, once again, been made available to runners specifically for this event.
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Choose from five epic fast runnable routes – 6KM, 10KM, 15KM, 25KM and 50KM. The routes are 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. The 2025 route will be run in a anti-clockwise direction.
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The Cradle Ultra is not only about running but also spending time with family, friends and loved ones. Bring the whole family along! There is lots to keep them entertained even if they aren't running.
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Cradle Nature Reserve
The Pavilion, Cradle Boutique, Cradle of Humankind
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ENTRY OPTIONS
ENTRIES CLOSE 25 FEBRUARY AT 15H00
ON THE DAY ENTRIES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE VENUE
6KM
R150
Limited to 250 entrants
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Finisher Medal
Route Nutrition
Conservation Fee
10KM
R250
Limited to 250 entrants
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Finisher Medal
Route Nutrition
Conservation Fee
15KM
R350
Limited to 250 entrants
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Finisher Medal
Route Nutrition
Conservation Fee
25KM
R750
Limited to 250 entrants
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Athlete Bag
Finisher Medal
Route Nutrition
Conservation Fee
32Gi Voucher
Finisher Burger
Finisher Beer
Finisher Shirt
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50KM
R1,350
Limited to 200 entrants
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​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 | 126m
Start time 07H30
1 Water points
2 hr race cut-off
CUT 10KM
10.1km | 190m
Start time 07H15
1 Water points
2 hr race cut-off
CUT 15KM
15.8km | 335m
Start time 07H00
2 Water points
3 hr race cut-off
CUT 25KM
25.5km | 564m
Start time 06H00
3 Water points
5 hr race cut-off
CUT 50KM
51.4km | 1,127m
Start time 05H00
3 Water points
8 hrs race cut-off
OVERALL CUT-OFF TIMES
Overall cut-off times are only enforced at the finish line. If a participant does not reach the finish line within the designated time frame, they will not receive a finisher medal.
6KM – 2 Hours – 09H30
10KM – 2 Hours – 09H30
15KM – 3 Hours – 10H00
25KM – 5 Hours - 12H00
50KM – 8 Hours - 13H00
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INDIVIDUAL ROUTE CUT-OFF TIMES
A strict cut-off time is allocated for each distance. Participants must reach the designated checkpoint within the stipulated time indicated below. If a participant fails to do so, they will either be pulled from the race or directed on a shorter route back to the Start/Finish area—no exceptions!
6KM – No route cut-off times
10KM – No route cut-off times
15KM – Reach the checkpoint located 11 km from the start within 2 hours and 15 minutes.
25KM – Reach the checkpoint located 14 km from the start within 3 hours.
50KM – Reach the checkpoint located 30 km from the start within 5 hours.
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.
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Get your morning fix from Crave Run and pop over to the Decathlon stand for any last minute gear. Check out some awesome trail shoes at Brooks or load your GPX file at the guys from Suunto. Don't vanish after the race! 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 Bushnell and have a look at their range of binoculars - perfect for spotting your participant coming. 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
1st
Bushnell Binos
2nd
R250 Decathlon Voucher
3rd
TBC
10KM
1st
Bushnell Binos
2nd
R250 Decathlon Voucher
3rd
TBC
15KM
1st
Suunto Headset
2nd
R350 Decathlon Voucher
3rd
TBC
25KM
1st
Brooks Cascadia 17
2nd
R500 Decathlon Voucher
3rd
TBC
50KM
1st
Brooks Cascadia 17
2nd
R750 Decathlon Voucher
3rd
TBC
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
REGISTRATION AND START TIMES
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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
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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.
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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.
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Cradle Ultra
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.
FINAL VERSION - UPDATED 23 FEB
PARTNERS
