South Africa
Lesotho
Namibia
Botswana
Mozambique
eSwatini
Zimbabwe
Tanzania
Date
29–30 Aug 2026
First start 18:00
Verified
2026
Road
The Gauntlet 18-hour Ultra
Verified 29 Jul 2026 · Last updated 31 Jul 2026
8km
7km
6km
5km
4km
Verified 1d ago — details confirmed by the organiser.
About this event
The 2026 The Gauntlet 18-hour Ultra will take place Saturday, 29 August 2026 to Sunday, 30 August 2026 from 18:00, at Kruistementvlei Farm in Piketberg, Western Cape, South Africa. Distances include a 8km, 7km, 6km, 5km and 4km races.
The Gauntlet is South Africa's most unpredictable ultra. For 18 hours, you run laps - one per hour, on the hour. Miss the start bell and your race is done. No exceptions.
What makes The Gauntlet different is the card draw. Before each lap, a playing card is pulled from a hat. That card determines the distance. You won't know if you're running 4km or 8km until the moment the card is turned. You cannot pace a race you cannot predict. The only plan that works: show up again. And again. And again.
Distances & fees
Distances, start times, cut-offs and entry fees.
Sunday
30 Aug 2026
5 races
| Distance | Entry Fee | Type | Start | Cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8km Lap | ZAR 1,250 | Run / Walk | 18:00 | 12:00 |
| 7km Lap | ZAR 1,250 | Run / Walk | 18:00 | 12:00 |
| 6km Lap | ZAR 1,250 | Run / Walk | 18:00 | 12:00 |
| 5km Lap | ZAR 1,250 | Run / Walk | 18:00 | 12:00 |
| 4km Lap | ZAR 1,250 | Run / Walk | 18:00 | 12:00 |
How to enter
Information on how to enter this event.
Online entries
On the day entries
No entries available on race day.
Race Day Information
Practical information for race day.
Handouts
Finisher's medal for every participant who completes at least one lap
Medical
Medical support stationed on route and at the finish.
Parking
Parking at the venue
Refreshments
Aid station & refreshments: limited so please also bring your own!
Showers
Showers available
Toilets
Portable toilets available
The Format
The race starts at 18:00 on Saturday, 29 August 2026, and ends at 12:00 on Sunday, 30 August 2026 - 18 continuous hours. Every hour, on the hour, runners line up and a card is drawn. The card decides the lap distance. Complete the lap, rest until the next hour begins, then go again.
The darkness is not a backdrop - it's part of the challenge. Headlamps are required
Lap Distances
Lap distances range from a minimum of 4km to a maximum of 8km, determined by the card draw each hour.
To make the event accessible to all fitness levels, the full deck is introduced in two phases:
Hours 1-6: Cards in play are 4km, 5km, and 6km only. The longer distances (7km and 8km) are not yet in the deck.
Hour 7 onwards: The full deck is in play - 4km, 5km, 6km, 7km, and 8km.
This means beginners have time to find their feet before the harder draws are introduced.
Featured race
Featured
2026
Verified
· 11 days ago
Midrand Striders Chamberlain Country Classic
30 Aug 2026
First start 06:30
Kyalami Corner
Half Marathon
10km
5km
Entry from R100
Open race
Route maps & elevation
Route maps and elevation profiles.
6km Lap
5km Lap
4km Lap
Location
Where the event starts and how to get there.
Kruistementvlei Farm
Get directionsGet notified
Follow this event
We'll let you know when online entries open, the date changes, or results are loaded — no account needed.
Contact the organiser
Organiser
Danica Lubbe
Send a message to the organiser and they'll reply to the email you provide.
Accommodation
Places to stay near the start. Booking through this map supports RunningCalendar at no extra cost to you. Affiliate
Training programs
Hand-picked training pathways to get you to the start line ready.
Coach Parry
Structured, app-delivered plans for every distance from 5 km to Comrades — daily workouts, pace targets, Strava sync and a South African coaching community.
Affiliate · disclosed Join NowOwnMyRun · Gerda Steyn
Free, self-guided training plans built by Comrades & 2 Oceans champion Gerda Steyn — a great starting point if you want structure without a subscription.
View plansEnergy Lab
A South African running community with a built-in training app — adaptive plans whose paces recalculate as you get fitter, plus club runs, results and event RSVPs. Free while in beta.
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Past editions
FromZAR 1,250
Enter Now
via RacePass
