The Gauntlet is a 12-hour backyard-style ultra with a twist. The rules are simple: one lap every hour, on the hour. The catch? You don’t know how far you’ll be running until you draw a card from the hat. Each card reveals the distance - sometimes manageable, sometimes brutal - could be 4km - could be 8km - and each hour brings a fresh gamble.

It’s a game of chance layered over a test of endurance. You can’t predict what’s coming, and you can’t plan your way through it. Instead, The Gauntlet demands something simpler and harder: the willingness to keep showing up, again and again, no matter what the hat gives you.

At its core, The Gauntlet is a reminder that running isn’t just about how far you go, but about how you face the unexpected. It’s a challenge built for those who aren’t afraid to test themselves in ways that can’t be measured by a stopwatch alone.

So, the question is: how far can you go when the distance is left to chance?

Where? Kruistementvlei Farm, Piketberg, Western Cape, South Africa

When? Saturday 22 November 2025

Time? 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Costs

Early Bird (Closes Friday 5 September 2025): R550 per runner

General Entries (Closes Sunday 5 October 2025): R650 per runner

Late Entries (Closes Friday 31 October 2025): R750 per runner

On the Day Entries (Only if Available): R890 per runner

Camping (From 12:00 Friday 21 November - 12:00 Sunday 23 November): R80 per person

Spectator Fee: R50 per person

Dog (Only if they are friendly please): R50 per dog

We are pet friendly as long as you have a friendly pet! There are humans, chickens, pigs, cats, dogs and other wild animals on the farm. We all live in harmony, if you think your animal can fit in he / she is welcome. We will not tolerate animals that eat our pets or chase our staff.

What's Included?

Each Runner will Receive:

• A Medal (Even if you only complete one lap)

• A T Shirt (Only for Entries received before Sunday 5 October 2025)

• A Goodie Bag

The Venue

A Trail Runner's Paradise! Kruistementvlei Farm  is the kind of place that makes you fall in love with the trails all over again. Winding single tracks cut through mountains, rivers, dams, and carpets of green grass beneath towering trees. As night falls, the soundtrack shifts - owls call, frogs sing, and silence stretches wide while a sky full of stars slowly appears above. In the early evening, satellites streak across the heavens, while the surrounding rock formations catch the fading light, shimmering with changing colour and shape. Well-marked hiking paths lead you through pristine fynbos and across koppies, where caves adorned with San paintings remind us of those who walked these lands long before us.

Getting here is just as remarkable as the destination itself. Whether you’re traveling from Cape Town or Namibia, the N7 takes you through ever-changing landscapes: rolling fields of green wheat and golden canola in spring, or stubble lands glowing with warm hues after harvest. In summer, the vineyards and orchards bring unexpected bursts of green among the brown hills, each turn a reminder of the vast beauty of open country.

The climb up Versfeld Pass to Piket-Bo-Berg will take your breath away, offering sweeping views across the valley. And once you reach the top, you’ll discover a thriving farming community tucked away on the mountain - apples, pears, persimmons, plums, peaches, grapes, and seasonal vegetables fill the land, nourished by cooler air and lush greenery.

It’s a place of contrasts: rugged and raw, yet peaceful and restorative. A destination that’s unforgettable - not just for the trails, but for the journey that gets you there.

Event Schedule

• Race Registration: Saturday, 22 November 2025 - from 05:30 to 07:00 am

• Accommodation Check-In: Friday, 21 November 2025 - from 12:00 onwards

• Accommodation Check-Out: Sunday, 23 November 2025 - before 12:00 

Rules

• Dogs: Friendly, well-trained dogs are welcome. Owners are fully responsible for their pets at all times. If your dog causes issues with other runners, spectators, or animals, you may be asked to leave.

• Fires: No open flames are allowed in the campsite. Fires are only permitted at designated accommodation areas. Please bring your own food and cooking equipment.

• Nutrition: While a small selection of vendors and hydration sponsors will be available, runners must take responsibility for their own race nutrition, snacks, and fueling.

• Prizes: Awards will be given to those who complete the full 12 hours. Spot prizes and special recognitions may also be awarded.

• Fair Play: Cheating, route-cutting, or any form of unsportsmanlike behavior will result in immediate disqualification and removal from the event.

• Environment: This is a leave-no-trace event. Please respect the trails, nature, and surrounding community by carrying all litter with you.

• Safety: Runners must wear headlamps or reflective gear for night laps. Listening devices (e.g., headphones) are permitted, but awareness of surroundings is essential for safety.

• Medical: There will be basic first aid available on site, but runners are ultimately responsible for monitoring their own health and knowing their limits.

• Support Crew: Supporters are welcome, but must remain in designated areas and respect event boundaries.

• Weather: The event will go ahead in all weather conditions unless it is deemed unsafe by organizers. Please come prepared for changing conditions.