The Giant's Cup
The Giant's Cup Trail Run
Sani Pass, Southern Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
20–23 May 2027
Boutique two-day trail run and hike along the 62 km Giant's Cup Trail in the Maloti Drakensberg World Heritage Site, capped at 200 entrants.
Train for this raceAbout
The Giant's Cup is a boutique two-day trail running and hiking event on the Giant's Cup Hiking Trail in the Southern Drakensberg, inside the Maloti Drakensberg World Heritage Site. Runners cover the full 62 km trail over two days, or choose a shorter Lite option.
Day 1 climbs from the old Trading Store to the saddle below Langalibalele Peak at 2,158 m, then drops to the Mzimude River and follows the Garden Castle ridge past Black Eagle Pass to finish at Castleburn Farm. Day 2 runs from Castleburn Farm past the Mzimkulu river crossing and Crane Tarn, then climbs towards Bathplug Cave and descends the Gxalingenwa Gorge to finish at Premier Resort Sani Pass.
The all-inclusive package covers three nights at Premier Resort Sani Pass, meals, awards dinner, apparel, medical support with an evacuation plan overseen by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, and a leg rub at each finish. R500 from each entry goes to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife for local conservation projects. Entries are capped at 200. A hiking format covers the same distances.
Distances
| Name | Distance | Gain | Loss | Vert / km | Min altitude | Max altitude | Start | Start location | Finish | Course | Cutoff | Terrain | Technicality | Aid stations | Badges | Entry fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giant's Cup Full, Day 2 | 32 km | 1,160 m | — | 36.3 m/km | — | — | 20 May 2027 | Castleburn Farm | Premier Resort Sani Pass | Stage | — | Mountain | — | — | — | — |
| Giant's Cup Full, Day 1 | 30 km | 1,160 m | — | 38.7 m/km | — | — | 20 May 2027 | Old Trading Store | Castleburn Farm | Stage | — | Mountain | — | — | — | — |
| Giant's Cup Lite, Day 1 | 15 km | 460 m | — | 30.7 m/km | — | — | 20 May 2027 | Swiman Hut | Castleburn Farm | Stage | — | Mountain | — | — | — | — |
| Giant's Cup Lite, Day 2 | 12 km | 460 m | — | 38.3 m/km | — | — | 20 May 2027 | Cobham | Premier Resort Sani Pass | Stage | — | Mountain | — | — | — | — |
Giant's Cup Full, Day 2 terrain notes
Mzimkulu river crossing, the longest climb to Crane Tarn, aid at Mzimkulwana Hut (11 km) and Cobham (20 km), then the 4 km descent of the Gxalingenwa Gorge.
Giant's Cup Full, Day 1 terrain notes
Long climb to the saddle below Langalibalele Peak at 2,158 m, fast descent to the Mzimude River, Swiman Hut aid station at 15 km, then the Garden Castle ridge and Black Eagle Pass.
Giant's Cup Lite, Day 1 terrain notes
Starts at Swiman Hut, the 15 km point of the Full route, along the Garden Castle ridge past Black Eagle Pass.
Giant's Cup Lite, Day 2 terrain notes
Starts at Cobham, the 20 km point of the Full route, then the Gxalingenwa Gorge descent to the finish.
Registration
- Status
- Open
Links
Notes
Race weekend is 20 to 23 May 2027. The full all-inclusive package starts from R11,650 and the run or hike only package (no accommodation) is R4,650. Entries are capped at 200. A 90% refund is available until 20 March 2027 per the FAQ, and substitutions are accepted until 20 April 2027 for R200.