The Rock Ultra Trail Runs
Sat 7 Dec - Sun 8 Dec 2024 @ Windmeul, Western Cape

Organiser
Onsite Adventures

THE ROCK ULTRA TRAIL RUNS

FOR THE LOVE OF RUNNING! 

Onsite Events is thrilled to present The Rock Ultra's inaugural edition, 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).

RACE CATEGORIES AND INFO

The Boulder 22km Trail Run

Start and Finish: Ridgeback Wines, Windmeul

Date: 7 December 2024

Start Time: 8:00am

Distance: 22km

Elevation: 680m

Cut off: 6 hours, 14:00

Minimum Age: 14 years

Entry fee: R650

Included in the entry fee: SPORTSA R500 voucher, The Boulder Goodybag, 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

Start and Finish: Ridgeback Wines, Windmeul

Date: 7 December 2024

Start Time: 7:00am

Distance: 44km

Elevation: 1435m

Cut off: 11 hours, 18:00

Minimum Age: 18 years

Entry fee: R980

Included in the entry fee: SPORTSA R500 voucher, The Rock Goodybag, 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

Start and Finish: Ridgeback Wines, Windmeul

Date: 7 December 2024

Start Time: 5:00am

Distance: 100km

Elevation: 3125m

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

Minimum Age: 18 years

Entry fee: R1850

Included in the entry fee: SPORTSA R500 voucher, The Rock Goodybag, 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.

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.

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 be possible at SPORTSA outlets in Paarl and Canal Walk. We will also be hooking up with local communities in Race Week to make registrations and collections as smooth as possible.

Pre - Race week events

Tuesday, 11 June 2024, 08:00

• 08:00 ONLINE Race Entries Open

Tuesday, 13 July 2024 08:00

• 08:00 ONLINE Route announcement

Race week build-up

Tuesday, 3 December 2024, 17:30

• 17:30 CAPE TOWN Tuesday Trails Social Run and pre-registration

Wednesday, 4 December 2024

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

Thursday, 5 December 2024, 17:30

• 17:30 SPORTSA, PAARL SportSA Time-Trail and pre-registration
• 17:30 STELLENBOSCH Stellies Shake-out Social Run and pre-registration

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!