Kruger2Canyon Challenge 2027
Packages
Multi-race bundles and add-on entries such as pacer and spectator packages.
70km Stage Race
The original and notoriously tough course: 42km up, around and to the summit of Mariepskop on Day 1, then a flatter 28km on Day 2. Properly tough, but the full K2C experience. Includes bragging rights, your race pack, K2C socks, locally crafted finisher memento and the R200 Biosphere conservation fee.
44km Stage Race
A tough 26km up and around Mariepskop on Day 1, then 18km through Kampersrus and Moholoholo Mountain View on Day 2. Includes your race pack, K2C socks, locally crafted finisher memento and the R200 Biosphere conservation fee.
30km Stage Race
16km with the same opening climb on Day 1 and a loop through the indigenous forests & clivia gardens on Mariepskop, then a 14km loop through Moholoholo Mountain View on Day 2. Hikers welcome. No cut-offs. Includes your race pack, K2C socks, locally crafted finisher memento and the R200 Biosphere conservation fee.
20km Stage Race
The stage race experience without the intimidation factor of the mountain summit: 10km into the indigenous forest on Day 1, then a 10km game reserve loop on Day 2 with transport to the start. Hikers welcome. No cut-offs. Includes your race pack, K2C socks, locally crafted finisher memento and the R200 Biosphere conservation fee.
Spectator Package
Available Races
2-day eventDay 1 — 42km (70km Stage Race)
The big day of the original course: 42km with 2,270m of climbing through steep mountainous terrain over Mariepskop and into the Blyde River Canyon. Four aid stations (three main, one minor) roughly every 10km. Start and finish at Laerskool Mariepskop, headlamp required at the start. Cut-off: 14:00 (8.5 hours) at the 30km mark. Records: 4:55:33 Johardt van Heerden (2019); 5:43:54 Nadia Jooste (2023). A R200 conservation fee to the Kruger2Canyons Biosphere NPC is included in every entry, along with your race pack, fully marked routes, aid stations, medical and safety support and full race village access. A single-day entry does not include the finisher memento.
Day 1 — 26km (44km Stage Race)
A tough 25km with 1,440m of climbing. It climbs Mariepskop with the longer courses but does not drop into the Canyon, so it carries considerably less elevation gain. Two aid stations (one main, one minor). No cut-offs. A R200 conservation fee to the Kruger2Canyons Biosphere NPC is included in every entry, along with your race pack, fully marked routes, aid stations, medical and safety support and full race village access. A single-day entry does not include the finisher memento.
Day 1 — 16km (30km Stage Race)
The same opening climb as the longer courses with a smaller — and still spectacular — loop on top through the indigenous forest. 16km with 1,080m of climbing and one main aid station. Hiker-friendly, with no cut-offs. A R200 conservation fee to the Kruger2Canyons Biosphere NPC is included in every entry, along with your race pack, fully marked routes, aid stations, medical and safety support and full race village access. A single-day entry does not include the finisher memento.
Day 1 — 10km (20km Stage Race)
10.4km with 552m of climbing on technical single track and dirt road, into the indigenous forest clinging to the slopes of Mariepskop — towering trees, lush clivias and darting red duiker. With the work done early, the route loops down to the finish over the treetops and the lowveld below. A R200 conservation fee to the Kruger2Canyons Biosphere NPC is included in every entry, along with your race pack, fully marked routes, aid stations, medical and safety support and full race village access. A single-day entry does not include the finisher memento.
Saturday 5km Trail Run
A short Saturday morning trail run from the school sports fields, for everyone who would rather watch the mountain than climb it.
Day 2 — 28km (70km Stage Race)
Much easier than Day 1 — flatter, easier terrain, but not to be underestimated on tired legs. 28km with 415m of elevation. A R200 conservation fee to the Kruger2Canyons Biosphere NPC is included in every entry, along with your race pack, fully marked routes, aid stations, medical and safety support and full race village access. A single-day entry does not include the finisher memento.
Day 2 — 18km (44km Stage Race)
Through the scenic town of Kampersrus and into the Moholoholo Mountain View reserve. 18km with 370m of elevation. A R200 conservation fee to the Kruger2Canyons Biosphere NPC is included in every entry, along with your race pack, fully marked routes, aid stations, medical and safety support and full race village access. A single-day entry does not include the finisher memento.
Day 2 — 14km (30km Stage Race)
Also through Kampersrus and into Moholoholo Mountain View, for a smaller loop. 14km with 278m of elevation. A R200 conservation fee to the Kruger2Canyons Biosphere NPC is included in every entry, along with your race pack, fully marked routes, aid stations, medical and safety support and full race village access. A single-day entry does not include the finisher memento.
Day 2 — 10km (20km Stage Race)
A stunning loop through Moholoholo Mountain View — home to leopard, buffalo, hippo, giraffe and abundant plains game, with one of the best views back up at the mountain. On exiting the reserve the route picks through the back roads of Kampersrus to the finish. Start: Moholoholo Mountain View Gate 6. Transport is provided from Laerskool Mariepskop, departing 07:30. Finish: Laerskool Mariepskop. A R200 conservation fee to the Kruger2Canyons Biosphere NPC is included in every entry, along with your race pack, fully marked routes, aid stations, medical and safety support and full race village access. A single-day entry does not include the finisher memento.
Event shop
Gear from the organiser — collect at registration or ship to you.
Visit full store
other
Meal Package
Six meals over the race weekend, from Friday dinner through to Sunday breakfast. Already included in the tented and dorm packages.
About this event
The Kruger2Canyon Challenge has run since 2015 and offers an incredible opportunity to explore the most northern reaches of the Drakensberg: Mariepskop, the Blyde River Canyon and the bushveld alongside the Kruger National Park. Every route is fully marked — no GPS or self-navigation needed — with aid stations every 7km to 14km.
**Four stage races, plus a Saturday 5km**
- **70km** (42km + 28km) — the original, notoriously tough course and one of South Africa's hardest stage races.
- **44km** (26km + 18km) — the marathon distance, added in 2017.
- **30km** (16km + 14km) — introduced in 2023, and perfect for hikers.
- **20km** (10km + 10km) — added in 2024, the way to experience the weekend without climbing the mountain.
- **Saturday 5km Trail Run** — a single, short Saturday morning run.
You can also enter for just one of the two days.
**Every entry includes** a R200 conservation fee to the Kruger2Canyons Biosphere NPC, your race pack, fully marked routes, aid stations, medical and safety support and full race village access.
**Accommodation & meals** are sold with your entry: simple tented accommodation or a bed in the school hostel dorms, both with six meals from Friday dinner to Sunday brunch (vegetarian on request), or self-camping on the school fields. Offsite options are 1.3km to 8km away.
**Programme**
- Friday 25 June: registration 15:00–20:00, dinner from 17:00, Colbec K9 demonstration 18:00, presentations and race briefing 18:30.
- Saturday 26 June: breakfast and registration from 04:30, starts from 05:30, snake demonstration by the Hoedspruit Reptile Centre 11:30, 42km cut-off 14:00 at the 30km mark, dinner from 17:00, slide show and Day 2 briefing 18:00.
- Sunday 27 June: starts from 06:15, brunch from 09:30, prize giving 10:30.
**Getting there:** Hoedspruit is 30km (30 min) away, Nelspruit 155km (2h20) and Johannesburg/Pretoria 450km (5h15).
**Refunds:** 90% more than 90 days out, 50% between 30 and 90 days, and nothing inside 30 days. Entries cannot be carried over to the following year; transfers to another entrant are allowed and carry a R200 substitution fee.
