Hobbit Trail Runs
Hobbit Trail Runs
Hogsback, Eastern Cape, South Africa
30 Apr 2027 – 2 May 2027
Trail running weekend in Hogsback with the 90 km Amathole Hiking Trail traverse, a 42 km Mountain Marathon and shorter forest races, finishing with a tree sapling.
Train for this raceAbout
The Hobbit Trail Runs is a trail running weekend in Hogsback in the Eastern Cape, built around a mountain at its heart. The headline race is the Hobbit 90, the entire Amathole Hiking Trail from Maden Dam to Hogsback in one go, with 36 hours to finish and the option to rest at Mnyameni Hut at 55 km. Entry to the 90 km needs proof of relevant experience.
Eight race starts run over three days: the 90 km and an 8 km Night Run on Friday, the 42 km Mountain Marathon, 16 km Forest Fun and a 5 km Fun Run on Saturday, and the 21 km Half Marathon, 10 km Trail and a second 5 km on Sunday. The races run through indigenous forest, plantation jeep tracks and singletrack around the Hog mountain.
In 2027 the race village moves to the Hogsback Inn. Instead of a medal, 42 km finishers receive an indigenous tree sapling for the Cape Parrot Project restoration site. The event is organised by Mountain Runner Events and is an ITRA and UTMB Index event.
Distances
| Name | Distance | Gain | Loss | Vert / km | Min altitude | Max altitude | Start | Start location | Finish | Course | Cutoff | Terrain | Technicality | Aid stations | Badges | Entry fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobbit 90 | 90 km | 4,800 m | — | 53.3 m/km | — | — | 30 Apr 2027 06:00 Africa/Johannesburg | Maden Dam | Hogsback | Point to point | 36 h | Mountain | — | — | — | — |
| 42 km Mountain Marathon | 42 km | 1,811 m | — | 43.1 m/km | — | — | 1 May 2027 07:00 Africa/Johannesburg | Hogsback Inn | Hogsback Inn | Loop | — | Mountain | — | — | — | — |
| 21 km Half | 21 km | 642 m | — | 30.6 m/km | — | — | 2 May 2027 08:00 Africa/Johannesburg | Hogsback Inn | Hogsback Inn | Loop | — | Forest | — | — | — | — |
| 16 km Forest Fun | 16 km | 570 m | — | 35.6 m/km | — | — | 1 May 2027 09:00 Africa/Johannesburg | Hogsback Inn | Hogsback Inn | Loop | — | Forest | — | — | — | — |
| 10 km Trail | 10 km | 390 m | — | 39.0 m/km | — | — | 2 May 2027 09:00 Africa/Johannesburg | Hogsback Inn | Hogsback Inn | Loop | — | Forest | — | — | — | — |
| 8 km Night Run | 8 km | — | — | — | — | — | 30 Apr 2027 18:30 Africa/Johannesburg | Hogsback | Hogsback | Loop | — | Forest | — | — | — | — |
| 5 km Fun Run | 5 km | — | — | — | — | — | 1 May 2027 10:00 Africa/Johannesburg | Hogsback Inn | Hogsback Inn | Loop | — | Forest | — | — | — | — |
Hobbit 90 terrain notes
The entire Amathole Hiking Trail on mostly singletrack through indigenous forest, plantations and mountain grasslands with waterfall river crossings. 70 km is self-navigated by GPS. Rest option at Mnyameni Hut at 55 km. Elevation loss 4,100 m. Course record 17h22.
42 km Mountain Marathon terrain notes
Steep plantation climbs behind The Hog, a rock scramble down to the Wolf River and technical mountain trail. Back runners finish in the dark. Four water tables, checkpoints and kit checks. Course record 3h59.
21 km Half terrain notes
Forest start and finish with plantation jeep tracks in the middle and escarpment views. Not too technical. Two water tables at about 5.5 km and 13.5 km. Course record 1h42.
16 km Forest Fun terrain notes
Singletrack through indigenous forest, waterfalls, views of the Hog and plantation contour tracks. One water table at 9 km.
10 km Trail terrain notes
Steep climb behind Hobbiton to the top of the Kettlespout falls, plantation tracks, then singletrack through forest. Water table at 5.5 km.
8 km Night Run terrain notes
Fun, festive headlamp run through Hogsback lanes and singletrack on The Edge. Marked with reflective tape, torch required, no water tables, refreshments at the finish.
5 km Fun Run terrain notes
Forest jeep track and singletrack. Different routes on Saturday and Sunday, both starting at 10:00. Family friendly.
Registration
- Status
- Open
Links
Notes
Hobbit 90 registration and briefing Thursday 29 April 17:00 to 19:00. 90 km starts Friday 30 April 06:00 at Maden Dam and the 8 km Night Run at 18:30. Saturday 1 May: 42 km 07:00, 16 km 09:00, 5 km 10:00. Sunday 2 May: 21 km 08:00, 10 km 09:00, 5 km 10:00. 42 km runners must be 18 or older on race day. Accommodation at the Hogsback Inn and Arminel Hotel is booked through Mountain Runner Events.