ENTRIES FOR THE ROCK ULTRA TRAIL RUNS

PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEBSITE, for event updates and exciting announcements.

The Rock Ultra takes place on 5 and 6 December 2025. 

The Rock Ultra Race Village - PAARL ARBORETUM

The event will once again be a celebration of TRAIL RUNNING for all levels of enthusiast, offering four different races and challenging distances: 

• The Rock Ultra (100km), 
• The Rock 44 (44km), 
• The Boulder 22 (22km) and 
• The Klippie is a 5 km fun run benefiting the Anna Foundation. Read more about the Anna Foundation HERE.

RACE CATEGORIES AND INFO

The Klippie 5 km - Anna Foundation Family Fun Run

Start and Finish: Paarl Arboretum

Date: 6 December 2025

Start Time: 8:00 AM

Distance: 5km

Elevation: 70m

Cut off: The Klippie fun race format will be developed with the Anna Foundation events crew.

Minimum Age: 1 years

Entry fee: Adults: R99, Teams of 4 and. more: R80, Children under 13: FREE

Registration Closes: On the day.

The Anna Foundation

The Anna Foundation hosts The Klippie, a 5 km fun race at The Rock Ultra. There will also be fun kids' activities including face painting and various games. All profits will benefit the Anna Foundation and its much-needed work 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

Start and Finish: Paarl Arboretum

Date: 6 December 2025

Start Time: 7:00 AM

Distance: 22.5km

Elevation:  685m

Cut off: 6 hours, 1:00 PM

Minimum Age: 14 years

Entry fee: R780

Registration Closes: 28 November

Watch this space for exciting announcements on what your entry fee will include.

THE BOULDER 22 route description: We head out from the Arboretum, across the pedestrian bridge and up the Grande Roche Hotel's steep climb to Jan Phillips drive. After the first aid station at Meulwater Camp runners head up the Waterval trail to Ou Kraal and then turn towards Nantes Dam for the floating bridge crossing! A run in Paarl Mountain will not be the same without a visit to Britagne and Paarl Rocks before heading back to the Arboretum down Hout steps.

The Rock 44km Ultra Trail-Marathon

Start and Finish: Paarl Arboretum

Date: 6 December 2025

Start Time: 6:00 AM

Distance: 43.3km

Elevation: 1210m

Cut off: 11 hours, 5:00 PM

Minimum Age: 18 years

Entry fee: R1140

Registration Closes: 28 November

Watch this space for exciting announcements on what your entry fee will include.

THE ROCK 44 route description: The Rock 44 runners will exit Paarl Arboretum and head up to Jan Phillips drive along the same challenging route as the Boulder. After crossing the floating bridge at Nantes dam they turn right to Krismis Camp and on to the inner BMW loop and then Outer loop along the western edge of the Mountain reserve. Summeting Britagne Rock will be a memorable experience for one reason or another;). The route goed over Paarl Rock and down Hout steps for a technical but fast downhill finish at the Arboretum.

The Rock Ultra 100 km Ultra-Marathon

Start and Finish: Paarl Arboretum

Date: 5 December 2025 ❗️date change❗️

Start Time: 7:00 PM❗️time change❗️

Distance: 100km

Elevation: 3780m

Cut off: 25 hours, 8:00 PM 6 December 2025

Minimum Age: 18 years

Entry fee: R2499

Registration Closes: 28 November

Watch this space for exciting announcements on what your entry fee will include.

THE ROCK ULTRA 100 Route description: The sunset start to the Rock Ultra 100km race will undoubtedly fill our ultra-athletes hearts with joy and happiness as the climb up to Jan Phillips drive and past Waterval trail to the Nantes dam floating bridge crossing. After the inner and outer loops of Paarl Mountain they descent to Ruitersvlei's network of steep and technical trails, and no doubt that the joy and happiness will be wearing thin, even in the heart's of the most resilient and tough ultra-runners. Runners will be spending at least 6 hours in the Ruitersvlei area before climbing back up to Krismis Kamp and south towards the Taal Monument. A quick visit to Coutrai's single tracks before heading up the dreaded Eliminator and the granite massive's of Britagne and Paarl Rock. Sunrise sessions will be in this area and towards Blacksmith's Kitchen, way in the north of Paar Mountain for a last refreshment before heading back along Jan Phillips and the cheers of friends and family at Paarl Arboretum.

Pacers: We are allowing runners to register a pacer to run the night section with them. You can register your pacer for R400 and they can have full access to the trails and aid stations along the Pacer section of the route. The pacer section will be from Ruitersvlei aidstation to Meulwater aidstation. Pacers have to get to Ruitersvlei on their own steam.

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

The Rock Ultra 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 designated supporter points.

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. 

Preliminary Race Registration and Schedule

Race registration will Open on Friday, 5th December, at the The Rock Ultra Race Village from 4 pm until 8 pm. We will also be hooking up with local communities in Race Week to make registrations and collections as smooth as possible.

Event Schedule

Wednesday, 3 December 2025

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

Friday, 5 December 2025

• 15:00 - T.R.U. Race Village - Registration for all races OPEN
• 18:30 - The Rock Ultra 100 Runner Registration CLOSES
• 18:50 - The Rock Uktra 100 Race Briefing
• 19:00 - The Rock Ultra RACE START
• 20:00 - T.R.U. Race Village - Registration for all races CLOSES

Saturday, 6 December 2025

• 04:00 - Race Village and Parking Open
• 05:00 - Runner Registration Open (5, 22, 44)
• 05:45 - Runner Registration The Rock 44 Closes
• 05:50 - The Rock 44 Race Briefing
• 06:00 - The Rock 44 Race Start
• 06:45 - Runner Registration The Boulder 22 Closes
• 06:30 - First The Rock Ultra 100 Runners expected to finish
• 06:50 - The Boulder 22 Race Briefing
• 07:00 - The Boulder 22 Race Start
• 07:45 - Runner Registration The Klippie 5 Closes
• 08:00 - The Klippie 5 Race Start
• 08:30 - First Boulder 22 and Klippie 5 Runners expected to finish
• 09:30 - First Rock 44 runners expected to finish
• 12:00 - The Rock Ultra Prizegiving ceremony
• 13:00 - The Boulder 22 Cut-off (6 hours)
• 17:00 - The Rock 44 Cut-off (11 hours)
• 20:00 - The Rock Ultra 100 Cut-off (26 hours)

Cancellation and refund policy

Cancellations received before 30 September 2025 will be accepted in writing to [email protected] and receive a full refund, less an R50 admin fee.

Cancellations received after 30 September 2025 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 can be done online until 30 October 2025 at an R50 system fee charged by Entry Ninja. 

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. 

Transfers and amendments 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.

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!