The Rock Ultra 2025 — Recce Run #3

Sunday, 2 November 2025 • Paarl Arboretum

Join us for the third and final Recce Run in the build-up to The Rock Ultra 2025.

A small R50 registration fee applies. Funds will be used to prepare and repair older trail sections on Paarl Mountain.

The new venue is the Paarl Arboretum, a beautiful tree garden on the banks of the Berg River. This almost 70-year-old park covers about 31 hectares and is organised into six continental sections, each hosting trees and shrubs native to that continent. The collection includes over 2 600 individual trees and shrubs representing some 650 species. In recent years our race partner, Drakenstein Municipality, upgraded the Arboretum as a “Climate-Smart River Park”—adding interpretive signs about sustainability principles. The Arboretum is the perfect green gateway to the four Rock Ultra race distances taking place on 5–6 December 2025.

From the Arboretum we’ll cross the Berg River, run through Paarl to The Grand Roche Hotel, then join Jan Phillips Drive to enter Paarl Mountain. The Grand Roche is a historic national monument and Paarl’s premier boutique hotel; their commitment to back-country hospitality means they warmly welcome our trail running community. Visit the hotel website for more information and to plan a special stay.

After the run join us for a cold beer at the official Rock Ultra brewery, KCB at Simonsvlei Winery, a short drive from the Arboretum. KCB brews a light, flavourful lager (2.5% ABV). SEE YOU THERE!

Routes & navigation
Join The Rock Ultra Club on Strava for route downloads or join the social WhatsApp group (details below). Routes will have basic markings, but we advise you to carry a GPX reference.

Event details

• Place: Paarl Arboretum

• Date & time: Sunday, 2 November 2025 — 06:30 start

• Distances: 12 km, 17 km and 26 km

• Price: R50 — please support Blacksmith’s Kitchen

To join the WhatsApp group or for info: message Mias on +27 82 758 5845