Nearly 60% new faces, a family finish line, and the honest truth about our food vendors. Co-Directors Terence Vrughtman and Thomas van Tonder pull back the curtain on the Harties River Trail to share the lessons, the wins, and what’s brewing for the Fest.

The Ultimate Guide to the Harties River Trail, from venue directions and registration times to GPX route files. Discover what to expect on course, including our legendary aid stations and the post-race recovery zone with Just Move. Cross the finish line and celebrate your achievement with a finisher's medal and a cold Jack Black beer or Red Bull in the heart of the Magaliesberg.

Trail running has an honest reputation: uneven ground, climbing, descending, mud, rocks, and the kind of fatigue that doesn’t show up on a treadmill. That’s exactly why many road runners and first-time racers want to try it—and exactly why “beginner-friendly” matters. But the phrase is often vague. Some races call themselves beginner-friendly because they offer a short distance, while still including steep climbs, confusing intersections, or minimal support. In practice, a

Trail races often take 20–50% longer than equivalent road distances due to elevation gain, technical terrain, and constant pace changes—a “10km” trail can feel like a much longer road run.