This race was first held in 1986 as part of the George 175 year celebrations. The club is now hosting this marathon and half marathon in the 200th year since the establishment of George.
The route takes the runners in and around the foothills of the magnificent Outeniqua Mountains between George and Wilderness. The route is a challenging one, but the beauty of the surroundings will provide a welcome distraction.
It has been described as one of the most spectacular marathon courses in the country.
The marathon is also one of the last qualifying races for the Comrades Marathon.
The 42.2 km race starts at the George Sports Club and follows a winding route up through the Witfontein forest and over "Sampies Hoogte" from where the view over George is quite spectacular.
A short stretch of about 6km through the suburbs of the town takes runners to the Garden Route Dam, where the half marathon begins.
From the dam wall the sight of George Peak, Cradock Peak and the imposing Melville Peak of the Outeniquas is inspiring, to say the least.
The route then follows the winding road next to the tranquil waters of the dam before making its way through the forest to the Saasveld Campus of the NMMU.
As the route exits through the white gates of the university campus a left turn takes the runners into some magnificent forest, down to the Kaaimans River, whose deep gorge intersects the plateau at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains.
Cross one of the picturesque old bridges and then continue up to Strawberry Hill where the warmest of welcomes awaits weary runners.
This road continues through the forest, down and across the Silver River Bridge and another long, slightly kinder climb to Wilderness Heights.
This stretch is part of the original George-Knysna road, called the Seven Passes Road.
Built by Thomas Bain, it took 15 years to construct through difficult terrain split by deep ravines.
The 4km run across Wilderness Heights gives tired legs a rest from the climbs and treats runners to views of the surrounding mountains and farmland.
The finale to this very scenic route is the descent into Wilderness via White’s Road. There are spectacular views of the Wilderness Lakes, the Indian Ocean and the Serpentine River as the runners descend.
The last few kilometres alongside the Wilderness Lagoon to the finish are a fitting end to a spectacular race. The runners cross the bridge of the Touw River and finish in the Wilderness National Park at Ebb & Flow.
Here the green lawns, big trees and cool water provide a great venue for tired runners to relax and recover.
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The sponsors of the Outeniqua Marathon are (from left) Dirk Kotze (Nedbank Business Bank), André Krige (New Heights), Jacques du Plessis (Mazars), Prieur du Plessis (Mazars) and Johan du Preez (Outeniqua Harriers).
