Cape Town has long been crowned a global magnet for sports tourism, where rugged peak-to-sea landscapes meet world-class hospitality. This November, the Mother City cements its reputation as Africa’s premier endurance capital as the RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town (RMB UTCT) returns to Table Mountain National Park from 20 to 22 November 2026.
Drawing nearly 3,000 intrepid runners—over a third travelling from across the globe—this flagship stop on the World Trail Majors circuit showcases Cape Town’s iconic topography while introducing a landmark initiative aimed at elevating African athletes onto the international stage.
The RMB Pride of Africa Award: Elevating Homegrown Greatness
As South Africa’s highest-paying trail running event—offering equal prize money for male and female runners across all distances—RMB UTCT has expanded its staggering R800,000 total prize purse.
Launching at this year’s event is the RMB Pride of Africa Award, designed to honor the first African man and woman across the finish line in the grueling 100-mile flagship race (UT100). Winners will claim:
R25,000 in dedicated prize money (taking potential total earnings to R100,000 for an outright race victory).
An exclusive trophy created by renowned South African sculptor Robbie Rorich.
Global recognition after conquering nearly 5,000 meters of technical elevation gain across Table Mountain and Karbonkelberg.
According to Michael Edwards, RMB Sponsorship Marketing Lead, the award is about creating tangible pathways for raw continental promise to flourish on global trail circuits.
Development in Action: Grassroots to the Alps
The power of targeted sponsorship is already bearing fruit through initiatives like the LIV2Run development program, supported by RMB and the FirstRand Foundation.
South African runners Sinovuyo Ngcobo (31) and Tsielo Tsanyane (28) recently demonstrated this potential on international soil, competing at the Experience Trail Courmayeur (ETC) during the famed HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc week in Italy. Navigating steep 15km alpine tracks with 1,200m of climb, both finished inside the top 6% of the international field.
Sinovuyo Ngcobo: After placing in the top 6% at UTMB ETC in Italy, the LIV2Run coach will tackle the RMB UTCT 35km trail this November.
Tsielo Tsanyane: Fellow LIV2Run coach and top 6% UTMB ETC finisher, also taking on the technical 35km course.
Both athletes continue to develop, mentor, and inspire the next generation of runners at the LIV2Run Athletics Club in Durban while progressing through elite international ranks.
A Gateway to World-Class Sports Tourism
RMB UTCT acts as a crucial qualification stepping stone for the upcoming 2027 World Athletics World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, which Cape Town will host from 6 to 10 October 2027—marking the first time the global showpiece touches African soil.
Beyond the competitive thrill, the event embodies sustainable sports tourism. RMB directly backs local ecological preservation through the RMB UTCT Trail Fund, supporting conservation initiatives like the Sugarbird Project, Sustainable Cedar, and Friends of Table Mountain to protect the delicate Cape Floral Kingdom.
Whether testing endurance across mountain ridge lines, cheering along indigenous forest paths, or savoring post-race luxury along the Atlantic Seaboard, RMB UTCT proves Cape Town is where high-performance athletics and active coastal lifestyle seamlessly converge.
