The inaugural WESSA Ultra Trail Festival brought trail runners, families and the wider community together at uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve on Saturday, 24 October, as part of WESSA’s centenary celebrations.
With 340 paid entrants taking on distances from 6km to 50km, the festival delivered a strong day of trail running while highlighting the connection between outdoor recreation, conservation and environmental education.
The turnout exceeded the event’s initial target of 250 runners, with the championship connection adding a competitive dimension for athletes racing for provincial standings and potential qualification opportunities.
Championship racing makes history in KwaZulu-Natal
The festival marked an important milestone for trail running in the province with the inaugural KZN Trail and Mountain Running Championship, introduced by KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA).
The championship created a new platform for provincial competition, talent identification and excellence within KwaZulu-Natal’s growing trail-running community.
For athletes with ambitions of representing KwaZulu-Natal and potentially South Africa, the championship also forms part of the pathway towards provincial colours and the national selection process ahead of South Africa hosting the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in October 2027.
Andrew Booth, lead organiser of the WESSA Ultra Trail Run and KZNA partner, described the awarding of KZN Trail Running colours and medals as a highlight of the event.
“As the first KZN Trail Running Champs, it was a big moment for the sport in the province and all the more meaningful because it formed part of WESSA’s 100-year celebration.”
Celebrating the race winners
Runners competed across five distances, with the following athletes taking the top positions in the women’s and men’s categories:
| Race | Women | Men |
| 50km |
1. Kate Birkett 2. Pat Dammann |
1. Sithembiso Masango 2. Linda Zondi 3. Mzwakhe Khanyile |
| 36km |
1. Taylan Mornet 2. Linda Gathmann |
1. Mxolisi Zondi 2. Donovan van Gelder 3. Sphesihle Zimu |
| 19km |
1. Jeunesse van Zuydam 2. Kate Arnott 3. Andisiwe Mpongoma |
1. Zwile Khumalo 2. Nduduzo Mkhize 3. Bayanda Bayanda |
| 12km |
1. Andisa Myeni 2. Michelle Sims 3. Lisa McAllister |
1. Buthelezi Snenhlanhla 2. Tsielo Tsanyane 3. Aphelele Ndundwana |
| 6km |
1. Courtney Van Wyngaard 2. Samkelisiwe Khuzwayo 3. Ella Dunlop |
1. Thabani Mzobe 2. Samkelo Msane 3. Mlungisi Maphumulo |
Every entry supports conservation
For WESSA, the festival was about more than competitive trail running. Every paid entry contributed directly to the ongoing care of uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve and its role as a place where people can experience and learn about nature.
Returning runners also noted that the trails and reserve were in noticeably better condition than the previous year, highlighting the importance of continued investment in the reserve and its natural environment.
“The participation of 340 runners in the event directly contributes to the ongoing care of the reserve and its role as a place for people to experience and learn about nature,” says WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete.
The festival formed part of WESSA’s 100-year celebration, connecting the organisation’s long history of people caring for the Earth with an active celebration of nature, outdoor recreation and community.
A festival beyond the trails
While trail running was at the heart of the event, the WESSA Ultra Trail Festival also brought together music, food, family entertainment and community activities.
One unexpected highlight for festival-goers was a new zebra on site, which could be spotted wandering among guests at the reserve and through the market area. Its presence offered visitors a memorable reminder that the festival was taking place within a living natural environment, where people and wildlife share the space.
The music programme featured Jason Hartman, Scott and Sam Hartman, alongside local artists Blackbird, Undivided Rootz ZA, Rhiannon & Vince Reid and Skippy Kubheka. The Jabula Combined School and Underberg School’s United We Sing choirs also performed, helping create a celebratory atmosphere that extended beyond the race routes.
The event was supported by a network of sponsors, local businesses, partners, volunteers and community members.
Contributions included water from Aquellé, boerewors from Howick Meat Centre for race marshals, bins from Karkloof Country Club, and support from uMngeni Local Municipality with parking marshals and cleaners. Participants in the Cricket South Africa Green Wickets programme also volunteered as race marshals.
A range of local businesses and organisations contributed prizes, while Alison Humphries Engelbrecht and her team of Ezemvelo Honorary Officers provided additional support and donated their time.
For WESSA, the inaugural festival demonstrated how outdoor recreation can create meaningful connections between people and nature while contributing to conservation.
“The intention of this festival was to connect our 100-year history of people caring for the Earth with an active celebration of nature, outdoor recreation and community, and with the support of our partners, we aim to host it annually,” says Cloete.
