Race Information

The Challenge (32km)

The Challenge starts at Golden Pools within the Rhodes Nyanga National Park. Race participants immediately face a 7km climb up the magnificent Mt Nyangani 2593m (800m elevation gain).

Distance 32km

Elevation Change: 3,800m

Elevation Gain: 1,400m

Elevation Loss: 2,400m

Difficulty: Difficult 7/10

Summit Zimbabwe’s highest mountain, Mt Nyangani (2593M)

20 km’s of Downhill to the finish

100% Single Track on The Turaco Trail,  through Nyanga National Park

Cut off at Spice Gardens 15 hrs 30 min (00:00)

Route Description The Challenge 32km race starts at Golden Pools in Rhodes Nyanga National Park. The race begins with a climb up Mt Nyangani. From the base to the summit is a distance of 7km with a height gain of 850 metres. Summit Zimbabwe’s highest mountain Mt Nyangani (2593 m) and then run along the top for 5km to begin a small climb of Little Nyangani (700m distance / 150m height gain). Once you reach the top of Little Nyangani you begin your 20km 1700m descent, starting with the never ending forest. Eventually, and we mean eventually you come out into the grassland where the Muruwi Nutrition Station will be, 20km in. From here, keep winding your way down over Nyawamba river and then face The Wall, a very tough 240m climb over 1.8km to the summit of Dzunzwa. After this, descend past a few more rivers and waterfalls and into the spice garden. There will be a cut off time at the Spice Garden of 15 hrs 30 min with only 2km to go. Follow the last river down and finally out onto the Aberfoyle golf course. The last 200 metres will feel like the longest part of this race but it is worth the beating drums and cold beer with your family and friends at the end. 

Route Description

The Ultra 56km starts at the Far and Wide Camp in Zimbabwe’s eastern highlands. Begin by making your way down to the first valley and then your first mountain 2.5 km / 300m ascent (the fun starts). Reach the top, turn right and along Chikorokoto. Start heading down again into the beautiful Pungwe Gorge. Reach the bottom and start heading upstream through the forests until you reach the confluence where you will be checked before you cross the mighty Pungwe.

The hardest climb faces you 3.5 km / 750m ascent as you make your way out of the Gorge. Just when you think you are almost at Golden Pools there are a couple more ups and downs as you contour and eventually get to the stunning Nyazengu Ridge.

At Golden Pools you will find a nutrition/aid station and lots of supporters (23km). Get lots of nutrition in. You will be checked before you begin the next stage. Cut off time here is 7 hours (11:00). If you don’t make it you will be asked to come off the trail.

Next half starts; first a small downhill past Golden Pools (beautiful streams and pools) and then start heading up to the base of Mount Nyangani. Look up, take a deep breath and start the climb. From the base to the summit is a distance of 7km with a height gain of 850 metres. Summit Zimbabwe’s highest mountain Mt Nyangani and then run along the top for 5km to Little Nyangani (there is a slight decent along this section). Once you reach the top of Little Nyangani you begin your decent through the never ending forest. Eventually, and we mean eventually you come out into the grassland where the Muruwi Nutrition Station will be. From here, keep winding your way down over Nyawamba river and then face The Wall, a very tough 240m climb over 1.8km to the summit of Dzunzwa. After this, descend past a few more rivers and waterfalls and into the spice garden. There will be a cut off time at the Spice Garden of 20 hours (00:00) with only 2km to go. Follow the last river down and finally out onto the Aberfoyle golf course. The last 200 metres will feel like the longest part of this race but it is worth the beating drums and cold beer with your family and friends at the end. 

The Epic (75km)

You will need plenty of experience and training to participate in this race. You will need to submit a running CV with your registration form.

Distance: 75km

Elevation Change: 8,100m

Elevation Gain: 3,550m

Elevation Loss: 4,550m

Difficulty: Extreme 9/10

Summit Zimbabwe’s highest mountain, Mt Nyangani (2593M)

Run below and above Africa’s 2nd highest waterfall, The Mutarazi Falls (762M) and cross the SkyWalk suspension bridge

20 KM’s of Downhill to the finish

100% Single Track on the Turaco Trail,  through Nyanga National Park 

Cut off times – Far and Wide (23km) 5hrs (9:00) ; Golden Pools (44km) 10hrs (14:00) ; Finish Line 20 hrs (24:00)

Route Description

 The SkyRun Epic 75km starts at the Far and Wide Camp in Zimbabwe’s eastern highlands. You begin by making your way down a steep descent to the Honde Valley floor. Begin the technical route around to, and then below Zimbabwe’s highest, and Africa’s second highest Waterfall, The Mutarazi Falls as well as Muchururu Falls. Then begin a tough and technical climb of 700m over 6km up to the escarpment. Run along this incredible escarpment to above the Muatarazi Falls where you will cross on the famous SkyWalk. From the other side of the gorge you will run up to Far and Wide and then begin the descent into Buwu valley and start the climb of Chikorokoto. Reach the top turn right and along Chikorokoto then down again into the beautiful Pungwe Gorge.

The hardest climb faces you (just over 700 metres of height gain in a distance of 3,5km) as you make your way out of the gorge. Just when you think you are almost at golden pools there are a couple more ups and downs as you contour and eventually get to the stunning Nyazengu ridge. This section from the Pungwe crossing to Golden Pools is just over 8km in total but it is a gruelling 8km.

At Golden Pools you will find a nutrition/aid station and lots of supporters. You will be checked before you begin the next stage. 

You are now into the last 32km of the race. This section starts with a small downhill past Golden Pools (beautiful streams and pools) and then start heading up to the base of Mount Nyangani. Look up, take a deep breath and start the climb. From the base to the summit is a distance of 7km with a height gain of 800 metres. Summit Zimbabwe’s highest mountain Mt Nyangani and then run along the top for 5km to Little Nyangani (there is a slight descent along this section). Once you reach the top of Little Nyangani you begin your descent through the never-ending forest. Eventually, and we mean eventually you come out into the grassland where the Muruwi Nutrition Station will be. From here keep winding your way down over Nyawamba river, and then face The Wall, a very tough 220m climb over 1.5km to the summit of Dzunzwa. Follow the last river down and finally out onto Aberfoyle golf course. The last 200 metres will feel like the longest part of this race but it is worth the beating drums and cold beer with your family and friends at the end. NB: Cut off times Golden Pools (44km) 9 hrs (13:00) ; Finish Line 20 hrs (24:00).

Route Description

 The race will start on Friday morning at 12:00 from the Far and Wide Mountain Centre. Make sure you have all of your compulsory kit as it will be checked before you start. You will have an unsupported night out in the mountains so need to be completely self-sufficient.

You begin with a gentle descent along the Honde Valley escarpment to the Mutarazi Falls SkyWalk. Get harnessed up and cross the SkyWalk over Africa’s second highest waterfall. From here you have an incredible traverse of the Honde Valley escarpment to Ringing rock. Make sure you ring the rock as you go past then begin the descent into the Honde Valley. Cross below Mutaroro and Mutarazi Falls in some of the most spectacular indigenous forest you will ever see. From the base of the Mutarazi Falls begin an extremely tough 6 km / 1000m ascent. The last 2km of this section has an ascent of 600m. You will reach the Far and Wide Mountain centre and your first checkpoint where you can have a hot meal and get some good nutrition in. Cut-off time at 31km is 8 hours (20:00).  

Next stage you will begin by making your way down to Buwu valley and then up Chikorokoto mountain 2.5 km / 300m ascent. Reach the top, turn right and along Chikorokoto. Start heading down again into the beautiful Pungwe Gorge. Reach the bottom and start heading upstream through the forests until you reach the confluence where you will be checked before you cross the mighty Pungwe.

Cross the Pungwe river and then another extremely tough climb faces you; 3.5 km / 750m ascent. Just when you think you are almost at Golden Pools there are a couple more ups and downs as you contour and eventually get to the stunning Nyazengu Ridge.

At Golden Pools you will find a major nutrition/aid station and lots of supporters (51km). Get lots of nutrition in. You will be checked before you begin the next stage. Cut off time here is 14 hours (02:00). 

Start heading towards Mt Nyangani and then turn right and down again into the Pungwe Gorge. You will then run all the way up the Pungwe Gorge along the magnificent Pungwe river.

Start the climb out of the Gorge and up above the Pungwe Falls. From here you will cross the Pungwe River above the Falls and then begin making your way up the Pungwe grasslands straddling the Pungwe River. At the confluence of the Pungwe and the Mutenderera rivers you will keep right and along the Mutenderera to Golden Pools for the second time (87km). Cut-off time 24 hours (12:00).

You are now into the last 32km of the race. This section starts with a small downhill past Golden Pools (beautiful streams and pools) and then start heading up to the base of Mount Nyangani. Look up, take a deep breath and start the climb. From the base to the summit is a distance of 7km with a height gain of 850 metres. Once you get up to CP9 The Crags keep straight instead of going left to the summit, run along the top for 5km to Little Nyangani (there is a slight descent along this section). Once you reach the top of Little Nyangani you begin your descent through the never-ending forest. Eventually, and we mean eventually you come out into the grassland where the Muruwi Nutrition Station will be. From here keep winding your way down over Nyawamba river, and then face The Wall, a very tough 240m climb over 1.8km to the summit of Dzunzwa. Follow the last river down and finally out onto Aberfoyle golf course. The last 200 metres will feel like the longest part of this race but it is worth the beating drums and cold beer with your family and friends at the end. 

CV Entry requirements :
One 100km ultra trail run with a finishing time of 36 hours or less.
OR
One SkyRun Zim Ultra, or equivalent with a finishing time of 14 hours or less.
OR
Three 56km plus ultra trail runs with an elevation change of +3,500m.
AND
Your planned training programme through 2024 to the GOAT.