WESSA
WESSA Ultra Trail Festival
Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
24 Oct 2026
Inaugural trail festival at the WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve near Howick with seven distances from 5.85 km to 100 km and the KZN Trail Championships.
Train for this raceAbout
The WESSA Ultra Trail Festival debuted on Saturday 24 October 2026 at the 900 hectare WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve near Howick in the KZN Midlands, celebrating 100 years of WESSA, the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa. The courses cross escarpments, rolling grasslands, indigenous forest and river valley.
Seven distances ran from 5.85 km to 100 km, with starts staggered from 03:00 for the 100 km to 07:30 for the shortest course. Four of them, the 5.85 km U20 Classic, 12 km Senior Classic, 36 km Short Trail and 50 km Long Trail, served as the inaugural KZN Trail Championships and a pathway to provincial colours ahead of South Africa hosting the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in October 2027.
The day also included a music festival from about midday with live artists, local food and family activities. KZN Trail Running hosted the race and Andrew Booth was lead organiser.
Distances
| Name | Distance | Gain | Loss | Vert / km | Min altitude | Max altitude | Start | Start location | Finish | Course | Cutoff | Terrain | Technicality | Aid stations | Badges | Entry fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100km Ultra | 100 km | — | — | — | — | — | 24 Oct 2026 03:00 Africa/Johannesburg | WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve, Howick | WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve, Howick | Loop | — | Mixed | — | — | — | — |
| 75km Long Trail | 75 km | 2,170 m | — | 28.9 m/km | — | — | 24 Oct 2026 04:00 Africa/Johannesburg | WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve, Howick | WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve, Howick | Loop | — | Mixed | — | — | — | — |
| 50km Ultra | 47.7 km | 2,092 m | — | 43.9 m/km | — | — | 24 Oct 2026 05:00 Africa/Johannesburg | WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve, Howick | WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve, Howick | Loop | — | Mixed | — | — | — | — |
| 36km Short Trail | 36 km | 1,273 m | — | 35.4 m/km | — | — | 24 Oct 2026 06:00 Africa/Johannesburg | WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve, Howick | WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve, Howick | Loop | — | Mixed | — | — | — | — |
| 19km Course | 18.6 km | 812 m | — | 43.7 m/km | — | — | 24 Oct 2026 06:30 Africa/Johannesburg | WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve, Howick | WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve, Howick | Loop | — | Mixed | — | — | — | — |
| 12km Senior Classic | 11.5 km | 437 m | — | 38.0 m/km | — | — | 24 Oct 2026 07:00 Africa/Johannesburg | WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve, Howick | WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve, Howick | Loop | — | Mixed | — | — | — | — |
| 5.85km U20 Classic | 5.9 km | 213 m | — | 36.1 m/km | — | — | 24 Oct 2026 07:30 Africa/Johannesburg | WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve, Howick | WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve, Howick | Loop | — | Mixed | — | — | — | — |
100km Ultra terrain notes
Escarpments, rolling grasslands, indigenous forest and the uMngeni Valley. Eight aid stations. Elevation gain is listed as to be confirmed.
75km Long Trail terrain notes
Escarpments, rolling grasslands, indigenous forest and the uMngeni Valley. Six aid stations. Compulsory kit applies.
50km Ultra terrain notes
Escarpments, rolling grasslands, indigenous forest and the uMngeni Valley. Four aid stations. Compulsory kit applies. Also the KZN Trail Championship 50 km Long Trail.
36km Short Trail terrain notes
Escarpments, rolling grasslands, indigenous forest and the uMngeni Valley. Four aid stations. Compulsory kit applies. Also a KZN Trail Championship race.
19km Course terrain notes
Escarpments, rolling grasslands, indigenous forest and the uMngeni Valley. Three aid stations. No compulsory kit.
12km Senior Classic terrain notes
Escarpments, rolling grasslands, indigenous forest and the uMngeni Valley. Two aid stations. No compulsory kit. Also a KZN Trail Championship race.
5.85km U20 Classic terrain notes
Escarpments, rolling grasslands, indigenous forest and the uMngeni Valley. One aid station. No compulsory kit. Also a KZN Trail Championship race for under 20s.
Registration
- Status
- Closed
Links
Notes
Inaugural edition on Saturday 24 October 2026. Starts: 100 km 03:00, 75 km 04:00, 50 km 05:00, 36 km 06:00, 19 km 06:30, 12 km 07:00, 5.85 km 07:30. Music festival from about 12:00. Compulsory kit applied to the four longest courses: phone, 1 L water, emergency nutrition, emergency blanket, torch, whistle and first aid kit. A 2027 edition has not been announced.