GEORGE NEWS - The 2026 Mountain Ultra Trail (MUT) by UTMB delivered a strong field of international and local performances across all distances yesterday, Saturday 30 May, with several standout winners emerging in the MUT Miler, MUT 100, MUT 60 and marathon events.
In the flagship MUT Miler, Madagascar’s Tahirinirina Jeannot Avotrainaia claimed overall victory in a commanding time of 23:53:25.
He was followed by Mark Winter in 24:13:07, with Admire Muzopambwa taking third in 25:55:50.
Lodelia Kombrink from George was the first female athlete to cross the finish line in this gruelling edition of the MUT Miler, securing fourth place overall in 26:07:06.
A familiar name on the MUT trails, Kombrink has consistently featured among the leading women in previous editions of the event. Kevin Evans rounded out the top five in 27:07:59.
The MUT 100 saw Daniel Claassen take top honours, finishing in 10:29:17. Yohan Giraud secured second place in 11:13:19, followed by Brandon Hulley in 11:41:03. Michael Molyneaux placed fourth in 12:29:40, while Kerry-Ann Marshall completed the top five in 13:00:19.
In the MUT 60 women’s race, another George trail runner, Rebecca Kohne delivered a dominant performance to take the win in 06:37:59.
Kohne also claimed fourth place overall in this distance.
Georgia Grobler finished second in 06:58:32, with Noelia Castillo Valle in third in 07:23:16. Andrea Osterloh claimed fourth in 07:36:04 and Elrita Blignaut completed the top five in 08:17:05.
The MUT 60 men's category was won by Jacques Buys in a time of 05:56:09.
He was followed by Simon Desvaux de Marigny and Joshua Blackshaw, who both finished in 06:05:06, with Desvaux de Marigny awarded second place and Blackshaw third after a tightly contested finish.
Chris Strydom secured fourth place in 06:21:10.
The marathon distance produced competitive racing at both ends of the field. In the women’s race, Mila Geldenhuys secured victory in 04:51:04, followed by Helen Bosman in 05:27:04 and Kim Corry in 05:36:15. Samantha Kruger finished fourth in 05:38:07, with Kristen Dunn rounding out the top five in 05:44:20.
In the men’s marathon, Jacques du Plessis claimed first place in 04:02:01, narrowly ahead of Remaketse Lekaka in 04:03:02. Underson Ncube placed third in 04:08:04, followed by John April in 04:31:17 and Alexander Zonomessis in 04:32:07.
This morning, Sunday 31 May, the MUT Challenge (20km) and MUT Lite (11km) got underway from the Trail Kiosk @ Ground Zero in Heatherlands.
Athletes still out on the course are expected to make their way to the finish line at Outeniqua Park Rugby Stadium throughout the day, as the final stages of the 2026 Mountain Ultra Trail by UTMB unfold.
Some of the MUT Miler athletes, who set off from the start line on Friday at 12:00, are also still making their way through the demanding mountain routes, with the long-distance field continuing to filter in after more than two days on the trails.
Lodelia Kombring crosses the finish line in the MUT Miler with her children. Photo: Kristy Kolberg
Rebecca Kohne crosses the finish line.
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