GEORGE NEWS - The anticipation is tangible as the Mountain Ultra-Trail (MUT) by UTMB returns to George this weekend.
The runners will compete across multiple distances in and around the Outeniqua Mountains, covering rugged terrain that includes steep climbs, forest trails and mountain ridgelines overlooking both the Indian Ocean and the Karoo.
The first race, the 168km MUT Miler, starts at 12:00 on Friday 29 May at Outeniqua Park Stadium, followed by the MUT 100 at 05:00 on Saturday morning, with the MUT 60 and MUT Marathon also taking place later that day. The MUT Challenge and MUT Lite will start on Sunday morning from the Trail Kiosk.
Each race has set start times, aid stations and strict cut-off times, with full safety support and mandatory gear requirements depending on distance. The longer events, particularly the 168km MUT Miler and 100km MUT, are endurance races that can extend through the night, meaning many runners will run in darkness using headlamps, while shorter distances are generally completed during daylight hours.
So don’t be surprised if you see little flashing headlamps along the mountains on Friday and Saturday night!
All the races have reached capacity this year, as more than 2 300 athletes have been confirmed for the 2026 edition. This marks the highest number of athletes these last three years.
As the first African trail race to form part of the UTMB World Series, the MUT continues to attract a strong mix of elite and amateur runners in local and international fields.
This year, 1 881 South African athletes are expected to line up alongside international participants from countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Mauritius and the United Arab Emirates.
Race director Carmen Schmahl said the growth in entries reflects both the challenge and appeal of the event.
“To see the 2026 edition reach a new participation high, with such a strong mix of first-time athletes and returning runners, is a really encouraging sign. To have five races sold out in record time only adds to that momentum. It reflects not only the quality of the race, but also the challenge of the courses and the appeal of the Outeniqua Mountains as a destination,” she said.
The start of the MUT Miler in 2025. Photo: Kristy Kolberg
The races
The MUT Miler (168km | 8 014m+) is the premier ultradistance race of the event, taking runners on a demanding 168km route through the Outeniqua Mountains. With extreme elevation gain and technical terrain, it is regarded as the ultimate test of endurance.
The MUT 100 (100km | 4 717m+) is a full mountain ultra covering 100km, combining long climbs, technical sections and fast forest tracks, while the MUT 60 (58km | 3 005m+) offers a challenging mid-distance ultra that delivers a strong mountain experience with steep ascents and rugged terrain.
The MUT Marathon (43km | 2 312m+) is a tough marathon-distance mountain race featuring significant climbing and technical trail sections, while the MUT Challenge (25km | 1 043m+) provides a shorter but still testing route designed for intermediate trail runners.
The MUT Lite (11.9km | 312m+) is an accessible entry-level trail run ideal for beginners and recreational runners, offering a scenic introduction to the Outeniqua foothills.
More than 2 300 athletes will participate in the 2026 edition of the event. Photo: Erin Groll
Athletes will get to enjoy the splendour of the Outeniqua Mountains at its best. Photo: Zac Zinn‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
