THE ROCK ULTRA TRAIL RUNS

FOR THE LOVE OF RUNNING! 

The Rock Ultra's inaugural edition is scheduled for 7 December 2024. 

The Rock Ultra Race Village, hosted at Ridgeback Wines in Windmeul, will serve as the pulsating heart of the event.

This event promises an unforgettable experience for both seasoned trail runners and beginners, offering three challenging distances: The Rock Ultra (100km), The Rock 44 (44km) and The Boulder 22 (22km). In collaboration with the Anna Foundation, we proudly present - The Klippie, a 5 km family fun run to the benefit of the Foundation. Read more about the Anna Foundation HERE.

RACE CATEGORIES AND INFO

The Klippie 5 km Anna Foundation Family Fun Run

Start and Finish: Ridgeback Wines, Windmeul

Date: 7 December 2024

Start Time: 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Distance: 5km

Elevation: 70m

Cut off: The Klippie will be open from 8:30 AM until 2:30 PM

Minimum Age: 1 years

Entry fee: Adults: R170 Children under 13: R50

Introducing the Anna Foundation

The Anna Foundation will host The Klippie , a 5 km Family walk from the Ridgeback Race Village. There will also be fun kids' activities including face painting and various games. All profits will benefit the Anna Foundation and the much-needed work they do in rural communities. 

"The primary objective of our organisation is to address the educational and social needs of rural children and offer them lifelong learning to build positive self-worth and self-respect. We reach this objective by means of our 3 Rs Programme: Reading, Running and Right-ing."

The Boulder 22km Trail Run - ENTRIES CLOSE ON WEDNESDAY, 4 DECEMBER 2024

Start and Finish: Ridgeback Wines, Windmeul

Date: 7 December 2024

Start Time: 8:00 AM

Distance: 22km

Elevation: 680m

Cut off: 6 hours, 2:00 PM

Minimum Age: 14 years

Entry fee: R650

Included in the entry fee: The Boulder Goody bag, SPORTSA R500 voucher, 25% First Ascent discount voucher, SASH(www.sasportshub.co.za) subscription until the event, Two 5-star aid stations and two water points, Finishers medal and drink, Ridgeback Race Village entertainment area.

THE BOULDER 22 Route description: From the Ridgeback Race Village and a short dash along the farm’s jeep tracks we head onto Paarl Adventure Trails’ world-class single tracks with famous segments like Cathedral, Supernova and Boulder City ushering runners along to the Pincushion Protea fields where panoramic views and refreshments welcome runners to the second aid station. From here it's a long descent along flowing trails back to the Ridgeback Race Village where supporters and celebration await.

The Rock 44km Ultra Trail-Marathon - ENTRIES CLOSE ON WEDNESDAY, 4 DECEMBER 2024

Start and Finish: Ridgeback Wines, Windmeul

Date: 7 December 2024

Start Time: 7:00 AM

Distance: 44km

Elevation: 1435m

Cut off: 11 hours, 6:00 PM

Minimum Age: 18 years

Entry fee: R980

Included in the entry fee: The Rock44 Goody bag, SPORTSA R500 voucher, 25% First Ascent discount voucher, SASH (www.sasportshub.co.za) subscription until the event, Five 5-star aid stations, Spectator support point and three water points, Finishers medal and drink, Ridgeback Race Village entertainment area.

THE ROCK 44

Route description: The Rock 44 route is a challenging but fast trail and gravel route from Ridgeback Race Village onto Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve. Runners will visit landmarks like Groot Waboomkop, Chrismas Camp, Nantes Dam, Paarl Rock and Meulwater Botanical Garden before heading back north. The descent along the world-class flow trails and onto the spectator support point at Rhebokskloof is the last replenishment before the final climb back to the Ridgeback Race village where celebration awaits!

The Rock Ultra 100 km Ultra-Marathon - ENTRIES CLOSE ON WEDNESDAY, 4 DECEMBER 2024

Start and Finish: Ridgeback Wines, Windmeul

Date: 7 December 2024

Start Time: 5:00 AM

Distance: 100km

Elevation: 3125m

Cut off: 24hours, 5:00 AM 8 December 2024

Minimum Age: 18 years

Entry fee: R1850

Included in the entry fee: The Rock Ultra Goodybag, SPORTSA R500 voucher, 25% First Ascent discount voucher, SASH (www.sasportshub.co.za) subscription until the event, five 5-star aid stations, three spectator support points and five water points. Finishers medal and drink, Ridgeback Race Village entertainment area, finisher massage.

Route description: The Rock Ultra 100km course has the potential to make you forget how far you are running today. Starting along the same famous single tracks up to Paarl Mountain, ultra-runners will descend on the south-western side of Paarl Mountain to Spice Route and wind their way around the southern slopes below the Taal Monument to Laborie for the second spectators and supporters point. The big ascent from Laborie to Paarl Rock and Bretagne Rock is brutal but beautiful! The Meulwater aid station will be a welcome treat before ultra-runners head north towards Rhebokskloof's flow trails and the last spectators and supporters point before the final climb back to the Ridgeback Race village where celebration awaits!

FOLLOW @therock.ultra for Earlybird specials and giveaways! - https://www.instagram.com/therock.ultra/

Ridgeback Race Village

Here, participants and spectators can look forward to a vibrant entertainment area, and browse through a selection of premium race gear and apparel. The bustling atmosphere will add an extra dimension to your race experience, creating a sense of community and excitement that will elevate your journey through the trails of Paarl Mountain.

Race Village facilities include safe parking, a catering and entertainment area, a retail gear and apparel zone, toilets and hot showers.

RACE RULES AND INFO ARE NOW AVAILABLE HERE

The Rock Aid stations and spectator and support points

Our strategically located aid stations and water points, boasting 5-star service, will ensure that you stay nourished, hydrated, and motivated throughout your race, enabling you to focus on the thrill of the trails beneath your feet. Aid stations and spectator and support points will have spring water, hydration/energy drinks, sweet and salty snacks and fruit. The water points will stock spring water and hydration/energy drinks. Runners can meet up with their supporters at the four spectator and support points located at Spice Route, Laborie and Rhebokskloof.

At Onsite Events, we are committed to fostering respect for the environment through our leave-no-trace policy. We aim to protect the natural beauty of Paarl Mountain and its surroundings by ensuring that our event leaves minimal impact on the ecosystem. As participants, we ask that you join us in upholding this ethos by treating the trails with reverence and care. 

Race Registration and Preliminary Schedule

Race registration will Open on Friday, 6th December at the Ridgeback Wines Race Village from 3 pm until 7 pm. We will also be hooking up with local communities in Race Week to make registrations and collections as smooth as possible.

Race week build-up

Wednesday, 4 December 2024

• 17:30 PAARL Rockrunners Social Run and pre-registration

Friday, 6 December 2024

• 16:00 Race Village Ridgeback Wines, Windmeul Registration for all races OPEN
• 20:00 Race Village Ridgeback Wines, Windmeul Registration for all races CLOSES

Saturday, 7 December 2024

• 05:15 Race Village Ridgeback Wines, Windmeul Registration for The Rock44, The Boulder22 and The Klippie OPEN
• 06:45 Race Village Ridgeback Wines, Windmeul Registration for The Rock44, The Boulder22 and The Klippie CLOSES

Cancellation and refund policy

Cancellations received before 30 September 2024 will be accepted in writing to [email protected] and receive a full refund.

Cancellations received after 30 September 2024 will receive an entry voucher worth 80% of the entry fee he/she paid. This voucher can be used to enter for next year’s event. Deferrals are only valid for the next year’s event.

Transfers and Entry amendments

Entry amendments and transfers will be accepted in writing to [email protected] until 30 October 2024 at no additional fee or penalty. 

No partial refunds for downgrade amendments provided the race is not sold out. 

Upgrade amendments are subject to payment of the difference in entry fee provided the race is not sold out.

Transfer of entries must be in writing to [email protected]

Amendments and transfers after 30 October 2024 will incur an R250 admin fee and are subject to the approval of the Race Director.

Our Goal

Our goal with The Rock Ultra is to celebrate the skill and dedication of trail runners across three different categories. 

With trails that strike a perfect balance between challenge and speed, we believe Paarl Mountain offers the ideal setting to crown the fastest trail runners in the country. Whether you are aiming to achieve a personal best or simply revel in the joy of trail running, this event promises an exhilarating and rewarding experience for all participants.

Join us on this extraordinary journey as we embark on an adventure that will push your boundaries, test your limits, and leave you with unforgettable memories of conquering the trails of Paarl Mountain. Lace-up your shoes, embrace the spirit of exploration, and get ready to write your own trail running story at The Rock Ultra.

FOR THE LOVE OF RUNNING!

We look forward to welcoming you to this trail-running extravaganza and witnessing the determination, resilience, and camaraderie that define the trail-running community. Stay tuned for further updates and details as we countdown to the epic trail running event of the year!