Race Briefing 4 - Runtheberg

PRE-RACE BRIEFING #4

LESS THAN A WEEK!! CAN YOU SMELL THAT MOUNTAIN AIR YET?

Your training is done (or not as the case may be, but it’s too late to change that) and there’s nothing left to do but enjoy the taper, drink lots of water, eat lots of greens/carbs/fat and relax.

1. Weather & Compulsory Equipment

For a deep mountain race we have largely been very lucky with the weather, and it looks like 2025 is setting up to be no exception. As we all know, in the mountains things can change in minutes, but as things stand the weather forecast for the Race Weekend is clear, dry and warm! The likelihood is that the Weather Call for the weekend will be “Good”. This can obviously change should conditions / forecasts change, but for now see what this means here COMPULSORY EQUIPMENT (PLUS HEADLAMPS – compulsory for the Ultra 65km and recommended for the Marathon 42km). Remember that we apply a Zero-Tolerance principle to Compulsory Equipment compliance and reserve the right to spot check at the Start, Finish and along the course. In the conditions expected this especially refers to hydration.

2. Carry-Your-Own

Remember cups / flasks / something to pour into / drink out of. There are no cups at Aid Stations. Also, the streams are quite full for this time of year with the snowmelt, so for those of you partial to that kind of stuff a chance to scoop and drink some icy cold mountain runoff!

3. GPS Tracking

Remember that the 42km & 65 races are not marked and are self-navigated only. A functional, charged GPS device with the relevant routes loaded is compulsory. If you’re using a smartphone to navigate rather than a dedicated GPS device, a power back-up is also compulsory. Tracks can be accessed and downloaded here MAPS & PROFILES

4. Sundowners @ Montusi

An old favourite Runtheberg feature! We will once again be having Sundowners on the front lawn at the wonderful Montusi Lodge from 16h00 on Saturday afternoon. This will also be just 100m away from the last Aid Station on both the Marathon 42 and Ultra 65 routes, making trail running a spectator sport! Bring cash, cards and cameras!

5. Lunch Vouchers

All runners will be given Lunch Vouchers for delicious signature Runtheberg Gourmet Burgers (including vegetarian options) redeemable after your run at the Race Village.

6. Massages

Silondile and her team of miracle workers will be on hand to work on those tired muscles and aches & pains at the Race Village. Therapy slots will be 30min & R300 /session. Slots will be allocated on a first-come first serve basis.

7. Community Shoe Drive

Don’t forget to pack those previously loved trusty trail companions – shoes and/or any other kit or clothing that deserves a home.

8. Race Village Activities & Kids

For non-running family, Runtheberg is the event with a difference! Take advantage of the exhilarating and super-fun activities on offer at the brilliant All Out Adventures Adventure Centre. Most activities will be available over the course of the Race Weekend, including the kingswing, ziplines, and paintball. There will also be access to All Out’s legendary MTB trails, perfect for your friends and partners who are not yet brave enough to run while they wait for you to finish. Rental bikes will be available.

The Race Village and the entire area is heaven for active kids and we love seeing them there with you. However, to answer some of your questions, we do not have any dedicated child-care facilities or any controlled area at the Race Village where you will be able to Drop & Go.

9. Previous Pre-race Briefings

Please make sure you are well acquainted with all of the info in all of the Pre-race Briefings. That’s why we number them! This is #4!

https://runtheberg.co.za/race-briefing-1/

https://runtheberg.co.za/race-briefing-2/

https://runtheberg.co.za/race-briefing-3/

10. Training Tip #5

Hydrate, Stretch and Drive Safely!

As always don’t hesitate to shout with questions. Keep your eye out for the Race Briefing video and please drive safely. See y’all shortly!

YOUR RUNTHEBERG TEAM

Group Entries

Group Entries of 4 or more qualify for an automatic 15% discount. Just “Add Participants” to the first entrant and the system will do the rest. The discount applies regardless of distances.

Entry Fee Payment Plan

To assist entrants wishing to enter Runtheberg Ultra 2025, staggered payments of Entry Fees will be permitted as follows:

Payment period – Flexible. Final payments must be paid and reconciled by no later than 31 August 2025.
Payment amounts – Flexible, provided FULL payment is received and reconciled by no later than 31 August 2025.

Payment Plan procedure:

When wishing to make the first payment, entrants must register online, enter as normal, and pay their first payment.
Entrants must select the Payment Plan option.
Entrants must use either their ID number or their system generated Race Reference number as payment reference.
Entrants MUST email the Race Organisers at info@runtheberg.co.za informing them of their intention to make use of the Entry Fee Payment Plan, AND either in the same email or separately, must send Proof of Payment to the same address.
Entrants must email Proof of Payment for EACH separate payment to the Race Organisers at info@runtheberg.co.za.
ENTRANTS MUST USE THE SAME PAYMENT REFERENCE FOR EVERY PAYMENT.

Terms & Conditions

First payment under the Entry Fee Payment Plan will secure a Conditional Entry, subject to full payment being received prior to 31 August 2025.
Confirmation of the Conditional Entry will be the email reply from the Race Organisers advising of acceptance.
Subsequent payments may be made at any time prior to 31 August 2025.
Full Entry will only be confirmed on receipt and reconciliation of the final payment / full amount outstanding.
SHOULD THE FULL AMOUNT OUTSTANDING NOT BE PAID AND RECEIVED BY THE RACE ORGANISERS BY 31 AUGUST 2025, THE CONDITIONAL ENTRY WILL LAPSE AND ALL AMOUNTS PAID TO DATE WILL BE FORFEITED. PART PAYMENTS ARE NOT REFUNDABLE.

SPECTATOR POINTS

Spectator Access

The following Aid Stations are accessible to spectators:

Sungubala: Spectators can park on the field at the Royal Drakensberg Primary School just before The Cavern. The Aid Station is a 2km easy but steep uphill walk up the jeep track towards the awesome Sungubala Eco Camp, where spectators can enjoy spectacular views and get to appreciate the real scale of the mountains you are running in. Please note that spectators will be walking on part of the Runtheberg race route.

Cannibal: The legendary Cannibal Cave is accessible as a hike via The Cavern. Spectators please note that parking inside The Cavern is for guests only, so they would need to park outside along the side of the road and walk up the hill through the resort entrance and pick up the hiking trail through there. Please note that this is a challenging hike of a good couple of hours over technical terrain and all resources in the area will be focused on the race and the runners for the day. We do not recommend this option other than for spectators who are experienced hikers and reasonably fit. If spectators are interested they can check out The Cavern Online Hiking Map.

Montusi Dam: The ultimate in spectator experience! Not only will spectators be able to easily access this beautifully scenic Aid Station and get a chance to cheer on their runners, but they will also get to enjoy the legendary Runtheberg tradition of Sundowners At The Dam. Runtheberg and Montusi Mountain Resort host a spectacular Sundowner Celebration of Mountain Running from 16h00 where spectators and runners who have finished their races can enjoy a drink and snack watching the sun set over the mighty Drakensberg. AND the final Aid Station for both the RTB Marathon 42 and RTB Ultra 65 routes will be positioned right here, so runners can even stop and enjoy a cold one with a loved one before they set off on the last few km towards the Finish. This can’t be beat!

Cut-Off Times

RTB Ultra 65 – Overall Cut-Off Time – 16 hours (20h00 at the Finish)

There will be 5 Checkpoints, each with a designated Cut-Off Time. Checkpoint Cut-Off Times will be generous but will be calculated to ensure that nobody will be on the course for longer than 16 hours. Cut-Off times will be strictly enforced.

RTB Marathon 42 – Overall Cut-Off Time -12 hours (19h00 at the Finish)

RTB 25 – Overall Cut-Off Time – 9 hours (17h00 at the Finish)

There will be 3 Checkpoints, each with a designated Cut-Off Time. Checkpoint Cut-Off Times will be generous but will be calculated to ensure that nobody will be on the course for longer than 9 hours. Cut-Off times will be strictly enforced.

RTB 13 – Overall Cut-Off Time – 5 hours (13h30 at the Finish)

There will be 1 Checkpoint with a designated Cut-Off Time. The Checkpoint Cut-Off Time will be generous but will be calculated to ensure that nobody will be on the course for longer than 5 hours. Cut-Off times will be strictly enforced.

Cut-Off Times

Please make sure you are acquainted with the Checkpoint Cut-Off Times found on the Route Maps & Profiles under The Trails.

Discretionary Cut-Offs

Race Organisers have the discretion to cut or short-course any runner who in their opinion to allow to continue would pose a health or safety hazard. This discretion will not be exercised lightly but in the event it is, the Race Organisers’ decision is final.

race rules

The Race Organiser’s decision is final.

Runners must follow the marked / designated routes. Any runner leaving the marked / designated route must rejoin the route at the same point they left it or as soon as safely possible without securing any competitive advantage.

Runners may be required to wear and/or carry certain items of equipment as indicated by the Race Organiser.

Runners may not wear headphones of any sort.

Runners shall respect the integrity of the natural environment they are in, which includes a zero-tolerance for littering.

Failure to adhere to any of these rules may result in penalties which could include time penalties, disqualification and/or any other sanction deemed appropriate by the Race Organiser.

Race Organisers reserve the right to check runners’ navigation devices to reconcile courses.

refund & substitution policy

Runtheberg Ultra 2025 has a cancellation policy pertaining to refunds. This is necessary because most of the expenses incurred in staging this event are committed to in advance, and as such refunds are only possible well in advance or when a replacement can be found. Refunds and/or substitutions where allowed will be subject to a nominal administration and handling fee.

Full payment is required on entry. An entry is only confirmed on full payment of the entry fee. This excludes entries under Payment Plans, which entries will be subject to their own rules.

The full entry fee paid, minus a R350 administration fee, will be refunded if an entry is cancelled in writing on or before midnight on Saturday 31 August 2025.

Entries may be rolled over to the following year on request in writing on or before midnight on Wednesday 24th September 2025. Rollovers will be subject to a R350 administration and handling fee. Entries may only be rolled over once.

Substitutions will be allowed before midnight on Wednesday 24th September 2025 subject to the procedures and conditions described herein. All substitutions will be subject to an R350 administration and handling fee, which will be processed either as an additional fee or as a deduction from any refund, depending on which will be most applicable. Ultimately it is the original entrant’s responsibility to find a substitute, but the Runtheberg Race Organisers will assist if they can. Substitutes will be required to complete the online substitution process.

Entries for Runtheberg Ultra 2025 will close at midnight on Wednesday 24th September 2025, or when, at the Race Organiser’s discretion, capacity has been reached. No refunds or substitutions will be allowed after this date.

Start times & START VENUES

RTB Ultra 65 – 04h00 (All Out Adventures)

RTB Marathon 42 – 07h00 (All Out Adventures)

RTB 25 – 08h00 (The Cavern)

RTB 13 – 08h30 (The Cavern)