While new disciplines have given mountain bikers more racing options in recent years, the marathon remains the most popular form of racing for South African mountain bikers. Primarily a test of endurance with a varying element of skill required (depending on the course), here’s what we consider to be South Africa’s 19 best mountain bike marathons.
By Sean Badenhorst
The marathon is ultimately the race on which the South African mountain biking market has developed. Yes, stage races have played a key role, but the annual regional marathons have been essential in bringing new riders to the market and offering a platform for mountain bikers to challenge themselves and one another.
A series of Classics as they were known in the late 1980s and early 1990s were the foundation of what became marathons. Hilton Classic, Rhodes Classic, Longmore Classic, Spring Classic, Lourensford Classic and others… The Classics were usually around 30-45km in distance with very limited actual mountain bike trails – predominantly on forest roads, footpaths and jeep track.
In the early-to-mid 2000s, improved bicycle technology as well as the South African appetite for endurance saw distances increase to around 60km with more events being launched as the popularity of the sport increased.
Advendurance (now Faces Events), which organised several high-profile marathons around the country, placed a great emphasis on Half-marathons at their Marathon events which proved significant. They also added a longer-distance option at one time, called the Ultra-marathon.
Marathons are tough! Ultra-marathons are even tougher. But a Half-marathon is manageable for most and, after a while, the Half-marathons had bigger fields than the Marathons. Some would graduate to the full Marathon eventually, but most would be happy with just Half-marathon distances. But while Half-marathon fields still generally are larger than the Marathon distance at the same event, the Marathon remains the Blue Ribband distance around which prestige is built and which attracts the country’s top racers. Without a Marathon, there isn’t a Half-marathon…
Marathons (and their Half-marathons) have been the core of the South African mountain bike market for the past two decades. Entry numbers aren’t quite what they were a decade ago, but they’re still more popular than any other discipline of mountain bike racing – or gravel racing for that matter. In order to prepare for a stage race, you need to tackle a few marathons. They’re a vital part of the South African mountain biking eco system and they need to continue to be appreciated and supported.
Thanks to those who put in the effort to organise and promote marathons. There are a lot more than 19 on the calendar, but we at TREAD Media believe that the list below are events that have earned our recognition. We believe a Marathon should obviously be well organised. It should have a distance of 60-90km (there are a couple of exceptions on our list that are a bit shorter); it should have a reasonable amount of climbing and descending; it should have a reasonable volume of singletrack; and it should be considered a challenge that only fit, strong mountain bikers can conquer.
WESTERN CAPE
FORD TRAILSEEKER – BANHOEK
The Ford Trailseeker Series is known to deliver high quality event organisation catering for all levels of mountain biker. Each of the six rounds includes a Marathon distance event, which attracts top South African racers. The Banhoek round takes place early in the year so also attracts top international racers too.
Starting and finishing at Plasir Wine Estate, the route takes in the spectacular singletrack trails at Plasir, on Boschendal and through the Banhoek Valley.
Date: 2026 date TBC, but usually late January.
Distance: 63KM with 1700m ascent (there is also a half-marathon option)
More information and online entry here.
THE BIG FIVE IMBUKO & CANETSFONTEIN
A relatively new race, the Big Five MTB Challenge takes place in Wellington, starting and finishing at Imbuko Wines. The Big Five name comes from the five big climbs on the race. Big climbs mean big descents and they don’t come more spectacular than The Cliffhanger, a world-famous switchbacked descent that drops 850m in 10km. The event attracts some of the world’s top XCO racers, who are usually in the area for good-weather training.
Date: 2026 date TBC, but usually mid February.
Distance: 77km with 3000m ascent
More information and online entry here.
FORD TRAILSEEKER – WELLINGTON
The Ford Trailseeker Series is known to deliver high quality event organisation catering for all levels of mountain biker. Each of the six rounds includes a Marathon distance event, which attracts top South African racers. The Wellington round takes place in September and is usually the final round of the series.
Starting and finishing at Bosman Family Wines, the route takes in the highly rated singletrack trails in the beautiful Wellington mountains.
Date: Saturday 13 September 2025
Distance: 63KM with 1600m ascent (there is also a half-marathon option)
More information and online entry here.
DARLING BREW EXTREME
The town of Darling isn’t known for its mountain biking, but it is known for its brewery, among other cultural features. Once a year though, it becomes a mountain biking celebration with the Darling Brew Extreme (or DBX), an increasingly popular marathon distance race with a couple of shorter options.
The race obviously starts and finishes at Darling Brew brewery and takes in the surrounding farmlands over a distance of 80km. The majority of the climbing comes in the first 45km, making it important to pace yourself carefully.
Date: 2026 date TBC, but usually late May.
Distance: 80km with 1679 metres of ascent (there is also a 50km option)
More information and online entry here.
DURBIE DASH
The town of Durbanville, just outside Cape Town is a thriving mountain biking hub. Home of the Tygerberg Mountain Bike Club, Durbanville has more than 100km of purpose-built singletrack across several farms.
Starting and finishing at Durbanville High School, there are three mountain bike distance options with the marathon tackling a demanding 60km route with a high volume of singletrack.
Date: Saturday 18 October 2025
Distance: 60km with 1800m of ascent (there is also a half-marathon option)
More information and online entry here.
KNYSNA CYCLE TOUR MTB CHALLENGE
The forested trails and routes around the town of Knysna are popular with recreational mountain bikers. The Knynsa Cycle Tour MTB Challenge offers an opportunity to race those trails and routes. The event forms part of the annual Knysna Oyster Festival, which takes place during the mid-year school holidays.
Organised by Rotary, the Knysna Cycle Tour MTB Challenge offers the tough 80km marathon as well as shorter 56km and 34km events.
Date: 2026 date TBC, but usually early-to-mid July.
Distance: 80km with 1800m of ascent (there is also a half-marathon option).
More information and online entry here.
LOURENSFORD MTB CLASSIC
The name denotes that this was once one of those original Classics on the South African mountain biking calendar. Both the sport and Lourensford Estate have undergone significant changes since those early days. After a short hiatus, the Lourensford MTB Classic is back with a bang.
The venue has significant distance, elevation and purpose-built singletrack making it ideal for a marathon. The entire race route is within the Lourensford Estate, offering a proper mountain biking challenge as well as spectacular views of the Hottentot Holland mountains and False Bay.
Date: 20 September 2025
Distance: 56km with 1330m of ascent (there is also a half-marathon option).
More information and online entry here.
MPUMALANGA
BARBERTON XCM CHALLENGE
One of the country’s oldest mountain bike marathons and formerly the Barberton Classic, the Barberton XCM Mountain Bike Challenge was cancelled in 2024 due to insufficient entries. But the race is back in 2025 and will once again offer an iconic route and five different distance options.
The marathon race distance is 75km and the ultra-marathon is 110km. Both are tough and considered a great measure of form after a Festive Season of training (or lack of training). What it lacks in technical riding, it makes up for in elevation and gain and drop.
Date: Saturday 31 January 2026
Distance: 75km with 2237m ascent (there is also an ultra-marathon and a half-marathon option)
More information and online entry here.
SABIE CLASSIC
One of South Africa’s original mountain bike marathons, the Sabie Classic remains a popular event for those who enjoy a tough challenge. The race starts and finishes in the town of Sabie. The route climbs up the surrounding slopes of the Northern Drakensberg mountain range to the highlands before returning via thrilling forest singletrack descents. Only a handful of participants can break four hours for what is a truly classic mountain bike marathon route.
Date: 25 April 2026
Distance: 65km with 1840m ascent (there is also a half-marathon option)
More information and online entry here.
NORTH WEST
FORD TRAILSEEKER – VAN GAALEN
The Ford Trailseeker Series is known to deliver high quality event organisation catering for all levels of mountain biker. Each of the six rounds includes a Marathon distance event, which attracts top South African racers. The Van Gaalen round takes place in July, mid-winter ensuring a cold start, but generally dry, warm conditions.
Starting and finishing at Van Gaalen Cheese Farm, the route takes in the challenging jeep-track and singletrack trails in the shadow of the Magaliesberg Mountain Range.
Date: 2026 date TBC, but usually late July.
Distance: 70km with 1000m ascent (there is also a half-marathon option)
More information and online entry here.
MAGALIES MONSTER
Another marathon that’s stood the test of time, the Magalies Monster has changed organisers several times, but remains a favourite on the calendar because of its challenging route and relatively close proximity to Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Starting at finishing at the Buffelspoort ATKV Resort, the race takes in the surrounding roads and trails and includes the demanding climb up Breedts Nek, followed by the increasingly technical descent on the other side, thanks to erosion and lack of road maintenance.
Date: 2026 date TBC, but usually late May or early June.
Distance: 62km with 1014m ascent (there is also a half-marathon option)
More information and online entry here.
GAUTENG
FORD TRAILSEEKER – CRADLE
The Ford Trailseeker Series is known to deliver high quality event organisation catering for all levels of mountain biker. Each of the six rounds includes a Marathon distance event, which attracts top South African racers. The Cradle round takes place at the tail end of summer, ensuring lush, green Highveld vegetation and hot temperatures.
Starting and finishing at Cradle Moon, a game reserve and nature conservancy, the route takes in the challenging singletrack trails in the Cradle of Humankind.
Date: 2026 date TBC, but usually late February or early March.
Distance: 62km with 1200m of ascent (there is also a half-marathon option)
More information and online entry here.
VIRGIN ACTIVE RIDE JOBURG MTB CHALLENGE
Although it’s the mountain bike version of the popular annual road race, the Virgin Active Ride Joburg MTB Challenge is a highly successful event in its own right. It’s been held at several venues over the years, but is now hosted at Steyn City, just north of Johannesburg.
A surprising volume of singletrack makes up the route, which, at 50km is relatively short for a marathon, but the rather high volume of ascent ensures it’s definitely not a cruise! Unfortunately, due to Johannesburg hosting the G20 Summit, the organisers have cancelled the 2025 edition of this race, but it will be back in 2026.
Date: 2026 date TBC, but usually mid-November.
Distance: 50km with 810m of ascent (there is also a half-marathon option)
More information and online entry here.
JACKAL DASH
Jackal Dash offers a fresh twist to a familiar venue. Starting and finishing at Northern Farm, one of Gauteng’s most popular mountain bike trails parks, the Jackal Dash route incorporates the popular flowing singletrack trails but mostly in the oppositive direction. Climbs become descents and vice versa to deliver even greater engagement. The marathon route also visits neighbouring properly before returning to the established Northern Farm trailhead and the finish line.
Date: 2026 date TBC, but usually early February.
Distance: 60km with 828m of ascent (there is also a half-marathon option).
More information and online entry here.
THE SUMMER & WINTER FAST ONE
This event is unusual in that it is held twice a year. Established in 2002, this race in the south of Johannesburg attracts a decent-sized field at its Summer and Winter editions. But the Summer edition is the most anticipated after a long break from racing and some solid Festive Season mileage (or lack thereof).
The race starts and finishes at Café du Cirque, Randvaal and heads south towards Walkerville before returning. The 75km marathon route now includes the Eye of Africa singletrack trails, which make the race more challenging.
Date: 2026 dates TBC, but usually late January (Summer edition) and late May (Winter edition)
Distance: 75km with 1000m of ascent (there is also a 60km option and a half-marathon)
More information and online entry here.
KWAZULU-NATAL
SAPPI KARKLOOF CLASSIC
One of the country’s most iconic marathons remains a highlight on the KZN mountain bike race calendar. The Sappi Karkloof Classic takes place entirely within the Absa Karkloof Country Club mountain bike trails park, rated one of the best mountain biking venues in the country.
Starting and finishing at the clubhouse just above the magnificent Karkloof Falls, the marathon route heads in the opposite direction, taking in some proper climbs before returning through some of the finest flowing singletrack there is. In 2026, the marathon will once again double as the South African marathon championships.
Date: 2026 date TBC, but usually late May.
Distance: 85km with 2200m of ascent (there is also a 60km and 40km option).
More information and online entry here.
ILLOVO ESTON MTB CHALLENGE
The KwaZulu-Natal midlands is made for mountain biking. Hills, forests and farmlands make for the ideal setting for mountain bike events. While the areas north of Pietermaritzburg are most popular, the areas south of the capital city are celebrated with the annual Illovo Eston MTB Challenge.
One of the province’s most popular marathons, the Illovo Eston MTB Challenge takes place at the Beaumont Eston Farmer’s Club, offering a range of distances but with a challenging marathon that’s a little more than 60km long.
Date: 2026 date TBC, but usually early August.
Distance: 64km with 1136m of ascent (there is also a half-marathon option).
More information and online entry here.
EASTERN CAPE
LONGMORE CLASSIC
Established in 1996, the Longmore Classic is one of the oldest marathons in the country – the fact that is retains the word ‘Classic’ in the title is indicative of this. It has always followed a route into the Longmore Forest. These days, it uses the classic Longmore Forest climbs and the highly developed singletrack trails network of Three Rivers Trails.
Although the race is only 50km in distance, the high volume of climbing makes it particularly challenging and worthy of top-marathon race acknowledgement.
Date: Sunday 30 November 2025
Distance: 50km with 1447m of ascent (there is also a half-marathon option).
More information and online entry here.
THE HERALD CYCLE TOUR MTB CHALLENGE
An annual highlight on the Eastern Cape cycling calendar is The Herald Cycle Tour, which offers a mountain bike challenge and a road event on consecutive weekends in February. The mountain bike event offers two marathon-distance options, an 80km and a 60km, both of which are popular, although the Elite racers always contest the 80km distance.
The race starts and finishes at the Addo Polo Club and heads up the Zuurberg Pass via the Hayterdale trails to offer a combination of climbing and engaging singletrack.
Date: 2026 date TBC, but usually early February.
Distance: 80km with 1533m of ascent. 60km with 818m of ascent (there is also a half-marathon option).
More information and online entry here.
Do you feel we missed a major marathon in our list? We’re happy to consider adding to our list, as long as the event conforms to what we feel constitutes a great South African mountain bike marathon. Send an email to sean@treadmtb.co.za with your suggestion with the reasons why you feel it qualifies for this list.
