A new edition of the Mountain Ultra Trail (MUT) by UTMB will be hosted in George from 20th to 26th May with almost 2000 runners discovering the beauty and biodiversity of the Garden Route National Park, the wild Outeniqua Mountain Range, and the passionate George Trails community.
Mountain Ultra Trail was inaugurated in 2018, and joined the UTMB World Series in 2022. With almost 2000 runners, the 2024 edition boasts the highest number of participants ever, and also sets a new record for female participation. Female participation has increased from 40% in 2023 to 44% in 2024, meaning this race ranks among the trail races with the highest female participation in EMEA.
95% of participants come from South Africa, and all the attention will be on the local elite runners, Christiaan Greyling (RSA, UTMB Index 773) and Sveta Becker (RSA, UTMB Index 601) could clinch the top spots in the MUT Miler (100M) race, alongside Kerry-Ann Marshall (RSA,UTMB Index 683) in the MUT 100 (100K) race who will have to hold off 2023 Restonica Trail by UTMB® 100K winner, Natalia Mastrota (ITA, UTMB Index 666).
21-year-old Rebecca Kohne (RSA, UTMB Index 680) will also be one to watch in the MUT Marathon (50K) with the George-based athlete taking the opportunity to race a major event on her local trails
There are 6 distances:
- MUT Miler: 163km / 8088m+
- MUT 100 : 98km / 4855 m+
- MUT 60: 58km / 3052m+
- MUT marathon: 44km / 2281m+
- MUT Challenge: 25km / 850 m+
- MUT Lite: 11km / 260m+
The race take the runners to the Outeniqua Mountain trails, showcasing remote and unspoiled paths, biodiverse playground and majestic peaks.
Ryan Sandes (RSA, UTMB Index 797) currently holds the Miler course record (21:46:32) after his first place last year. 2024 was the first edition for the Miler race.
