Ultra-Trail Cape Epic is a 65km ultra marathon in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Distance: 65km. Elevation: 2,800m D+. Difficulty: moderate (Challenge Rating 46/100). DNF rate: 12%. Time limit: 14h. Surface: trail. Established 2017.
Ultra-Trail Cape Epic
Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
"65km through Cape wine country. Mountain trails above vineyards, fynbos-covered peaks, and South African sunshine."
Score Breakdown
Based on distance, vertical gain per km, terrain difficulty, weather extremes, historical DNF rate, and race format.
A mountain ultra through the Western Cape's wine country — fynbos mountains, vineyard trails, and Stellenbosch sunshine.
The Course
A loop through the wine-country mountains of the Western Cape. The course climbs through fynbos-covered peaks, along vineyard trails, and through pine forests with views over Stellenbosch and False Bay. Hot, exposed climbing on rocky trails.
mountainous
loop
5
Runner Experience
Standard aid station support with food, drinks, and basic medical assistance at regular intervals.
Warm, inclusive finish line with a strong community feel. Runners celebrate together regardless of finish time.
Experience ratings are based on runner reports, race reviews, community feedback, and editorial assessment. Scenery reflects the visual quality of the course. Organization covers aid stations, logistics, and communication. Community measures the atmosphere, inclusivity, and camaraderie among runners.
Race Day Weather
24°C
16° – 32°
45%
10%
Cape summer — hot and dry. No shade on exposed mountain sections. Wind can be strong.
Stats & Records
2017
300
10:00:00
30%
Entry
ZAR 1,200
September
months
Lore & Trivia
The Cape Epic Trail runs through the Western Cape of South Africa — the wine-growing region surrounding Cape Town where fynbos-covered mountains meet world-class vineyards. The course traverses the Hottentots Holland Mountains and Stellenbosch winelands, combining Mediterranean-climate trail running with the dramatic geology of the Cape Fold Belt. South Africa's trail running scene is one of the most vibrant in the world, and the Western Cape — with its combination of mountains, ocean views, and wine country — is its heartland.
- ▸ The course runs through the famous Stellenbosch wine region — one of the world's great wine-producing areas.
- ▸ Fynbos vegetation is unique to the Western Cape and is one of the world's six floral kingdoms.
- ▸ Post-race wine tasting at the finish is a popular tradition.
- ▸ The mountains behind Stellenbosch are steeper and more rugged than most visitors expect.
- ▸ Established in 2017.
Running through the Cape winelands at dawn, with Table Mountain on the horizon — that's South African trail running at its finest.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Ultra-Trail Cape Epic? +
Ultra-Trail Cape Epic is a 65km (65km) ultra marathon with 2,800m of elevation gain. The course is loop on trail terrain.
How hard is Ultra-Trail Cape Epic? +
Ultra-Trail Cape Epic is rated moderate with a Challenge Rating of 46/100 (Challenging). The DNF rate is 12%. Runners have 14 hours to finish.
What is the weather like at Ultra-Trail Cape Epic? +
Average temperature is 24°C (range 16°C to 32°C) with 45% humidity and a 10% chance of rain. Cape summer — hot and dry. No shade on exposed mountain sections. Wind can be strong.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Ultra-Trail Cape Epic? +
No crew access is permitted. Pacers are not allowed.
What is the average finish time for Ultra-Trail Cape Epic? +
The average finish time is 10:00:00. About 300 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 12%.
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