Overview

About this event

The 2027 Merrell Whale Of Trail takes place on Saturday, 21 August 2027, from 07:00, at De Hoop Nature Reserve in Bredasdorp, Western Cape. Distances are 53km and 37km. Online entries are open.

Races

Distances & fees

Distances, start times, cut-offs and entry fees.

Saturday 21 Aug 2027

Distance	Entry Fee	Type	Start	Cut-off	Details
53km Trail Run	ZAR 6,500	Trail	07:00	—
Minimum age 18 years Prize-giving 20:00
37km Trail Run	ZAR 5,500	Trail	09:00	—
Minimum age 18 years Prize-giving 20:00

Entry

How to enter

Information on how to enter this event.

Online entries

Enter Now

Closes 4 Aug 2027 · or when sold out

A deposit payment of R 1,950 will be required within three days of entering in order to secure your booking. The remainder of the entry fee will be due by the 30 April 2027. From 1 May full entry fee payment is due within three days in order to secure your entry.

Late entry requests may be considered after this date, subject to availability.

Deferral possible up to 12h00 Friday 6 August 2027 (15 days before the event). 70% of your full entry fee paid will be transferred towards your entry for the 2028 Whale of Trail Event. You can only defer your entry once and it will not be eligible for refund or substitution in 2028.

Should the event scheduled for the 21 August 2027 be cancelled due to National Restrictions, entries will be transferred to the 2028 Whale of Trail event.

Refunds

70% refund (of total entry fee) possible up until 21 May 2027 (3 months before the event date) following a written notification of withdrawal.

Substitutions

Substitution are possible up to 12h00 Friday 13 August 2027 (8 days before the event) with a fee of R400.

Pre-race

Number collection

Collection venues, dates and times.

De Hoop Nature Reserve, Bredasdorp

Fri, 20 Aug 2027 · 16:00–19:00

Race-morning collection

Available from 06:00

On the day

Race Day Information

Practical information for race day.

Start De Hoop Nature Reserve, Bredasdorp Click for directions

Finish De Hoop Nature Reserve, Bredasdorp Click for directions

Lucky Draw

There will also be a R10k lucky draw prize for all finishers of the 53km and 37km races.

Handouts

Finisher's medal

Medical

Paramedic crews will be available for medical treatment and consultation.

Parking

All vehicles are to be parked in the designated area.

Pets

No dogs allowed.

Prize Giving

20:00

Refreshments

Hot meal at finish

Tog Bag

Competitors may deposit an official tog bag (to be issued at registration) that will then meet them at the finish area at Koppie Alleen.

Water Points

Four well stocked and staffed watertables on the route

Refunds

70% refund (of total entry fee) possible up until 21 May 2027 (3 months before the event date) following a written notification of withdrawal.

Substitutions

Substitution are possible up to 12h00 Friday 13 August 2027 (8 days before the event) with a fee of R400.

Where

Location

Where the event starts and how to get there.

De Hoop Nature Reserve

Get directions

Contact

Contact the organiser

Entries are open.

You enter online, not through this form.

Enter now

Organiser

[email protected]

[email protected]

Anything else? Send the organiser a message and they'll reply to the email you give.

Your name

Email

Message

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Stay

Accommodation

Places to stay near the start. Booking through this map supports RunningCalendar at no extra cost to you. Affiliate

Train

Training programs

Hand-picked training pathways to get you to the start line ready.

Coach Parry

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OwnMyRun · 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.

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Energy 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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