Cape Town’s iconic mountains hosted three days of world-class competition this weekend as the RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town (UTCT), finale of the World Trail Majors, wrapped up on Sunday. With 2,800 athletes representing 66 countries and distances ranging from 16km to the punishing 100-mile ultra, the event reinforced its status as one of the globe’s premier trail-running spectacles.
Extreme winds forced the cancellation of Sunday’s 35km race and briefly disrupted Race Village, but the overall programme continued safely. Capetonians filled the trails on Saturday, celebrating the return of calm conditions and powering athletes with enthusiastic support.
Race Director Stuart McConnachie hailed the weekend as a defining moment: South African athletes delivered world-class performances, particularly in the flagship 100-mile race, where the host nation swept the podium.
South Africans Sweep the UTCT 100 Miler
The highlight of the festival came in the gruelling 100-mile race, where South Africans dominated both the men’s and women’s fields. Douglas Pickard conquered the monumental course in 21:49:11 after setting off from Race Village at 5pm on Friday. Aleksei Tolstenko followed in 22:40:48, with Zimbabwe’s Admire Muzopambwa just behind in 22:41:40.
In the women’s race, Nicolette Griffioen delivered one of the weekend’s standout performances, winning in 24:39:42 and breaking Hillary Allen’s 2022 course record. Her victory capped a remarkable season in which she also claimed titles at RMB Ultra-Trail Drakensberg and Mountain Ultra Trail by UTMB, completing an unprecedented sweep of South Africa’s major trail events. Simone Malan (26:39:35) and Kerry-Ann Marshall (27:26:30) completed an all-South African podium.
International Firepower in the 100km Race
Saturday’s 100km event showcased elite international talent over a highly technical route beginning at Gardens Rugby Club. American Jeff Mogavero secured a narrow victory in 11:04:53, edging Russia’s Dmitry Mityaev by just 31 seconds. South Africa’s Matthew Healy finished third in 11:11:26.
Nepal’s Sunmaya Budha dominated the women’s race with a commanding win in 12:25:55. Antonina Iushina claimed second in 13:33:31, while American Tara Fraga rounded out the podium in 13:47:04.
Fast, Fierce Racing in the 55km Peninsula Traverse
The festival opened on Friday with the dramatic Peninsula Traverse 55km, featuring a coastal start at Llandudno and a steep ascent up Suther Peak. Germany’s Johannes Wingenfeld won the men’s race in 05:13:26, ahead of Great Britain’s Robbie Simpson and Australia’s Charles Hamilton.
South Africa celebrated a home victory in the women’s field as Rebecca Kohne won her debut ultra in 06:11:44. France’s Olivia Dubern earned second place, with Nepal’s Ram Maya Budha finishing third.
A Growing Legacy
Despite weather-related setbacks, organisers delivered a safe and world-class racing experience. McConnachie credited the volunteers and the supportive Cape Town community for elevating the event: after eleven years, UTCT continues to expand its global significance and cement its role as a must-run event for the world’s top trail athletes.
