Available distances
Races on the programme
| Race | Distance | Elevation gain |
|---|---|---|
| Black Mountain Ultra | — | 2,838 m |
| Black Mountain Marathon | — | 1,917 m |
| Black Mountain Half Marathon | — | 796 m |
About
The Black Mountain Ultra takes place on 16 October 2027 from Ladismith, South Africa, with three trail formats. The 73 km ultra, with 2,838 metres of elevation gain, starts at 5am. The marathon format, 43 km with 1,917 metres of climbing, sets off at 8am, and the shortest race, 19 km with 796 metres of climbing, at 9am.
All three courses work out at roughly 40 metres of climbing per kilometre: a properly mountainous profile on which the usual road split times mean very little. Over 73 km, serious preparation means hill strength work, plenty of practice on descents and several long runs on rough ground. The 43 km is a stepping stone for anyone eyeing the ultra later on, while the 19 km remains within reach of a road runner curious about trail, provided they accept walking the steepest sections.
Prepare for Black Mountain Ultra with RunRun
An AI-generated training plan, adjusted every week based on your real sessions. Built around your goal, current level and race date.
- Personalized plan based on your VO2max, history and weekly availability
- Strava and Garmin sync: your sessions are analyzed and the plan adapts
- Target paces, long runs, key sessions: everything is calculated for race day