Upper Highway Trail Marathon - UHTM

🎉 WE'RE IN! 🎉

True Grit Trails here – and we are absolutely bouncing off the trails with excitement to announce that we’re joining the Upper Highway Trail Marathon (UHTM) family for the epic 5th year in 2026! 🙌

When UHTM reached out, we didn't just say yes – we said HECK YES, when do we start?!

Here's the thing: UHTM has already built something special. The spirit, the route, the community, the love for the conservancies… that's not changing on our watch. Not a chance.

Our job? Simple: bring the operational muscle so the UHTM magic can shine even brighter. Think smoother operation, better flow, more support and a rock-solid backbone that lets the team focus on what matters – you, the trails, and the cause.

We're not here to change everything. We're here to level up – with a whole lot of trail grit.

And can we just say – we are excited to help Support, Sustain & Showcase the conservancies that make the Upper Highway so incredible. 🌿

To the UHTM organisers: thank you for trusting us. To the runners, sponsors, partners, and community: we can't wait to earn your smile on race day.

Let's make 2026 the year UHTM gets even stronger – together.

Bring on the miles. Bring on the grit.



🏞️💪🔥

– The True Grit Trails team

🎉 Exciting news, trail family! 🎉

A message from your UHTM organisers (and we’re buzzing to share this!) 👇

We’re officially welcoming True Grit Trails to the UHTM team for our 5th year in 2026! 🙌

Before anyone worries – take a deep breath. The soul of the Upper Highway Trail Marathon? Untouched.
The route, the spirit, the community focus… all still us.

What is changing? We’re adding serious firepower to our event management crew. Think: stronger operations, smarter support, and even more love poured into every detail – so we can keep delivering the experience you deserve.

This partnership helps us do one thing better: SUPPORT, SUSTAIN & SHOWCASE our incredible conservancies. 🌿

So expect the same UHTM heart – just with extra horsepower behind the scenes. We can’t wait to make 2026 another unforgettable chapter on the trails.

Thank you for sticking with us as we grow – stronger together.

With trail grit & gratitude,
The UHTM Organising Team 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

OFFICIAL RACE UPDATE: MOLWENI RIVER CROSSING, UHTM 10KM - (watch to the end)

Scene: The famed River Crossing, on the 10km UHTM2025 route.

Current Situation: Reports confirm the river is now 10% water, 90% pure, uncut ARTISTIC EXPRESSION.

An elite squad of Ballroom-Ready Ballerinas were en pointe across the slippery rocks, treating the riverbed as their personal stage. Swan Lake? No. Swan River. Their grace is unmatched, their form impeccable. We believe they’re deducting points from the rest of us for poor posture and heavy footfall.

They are being closely followed by the KZN Opera Trail Division, who have decided this is the ideal moment for vocal warm-ups. A trail runner who absolutely nailed a high C while mid-current.

All of this is underscored by the relentless, joyful percussion of the Gaggling Gerties – a powerhouse group whose laughter could be classified as renewable energy. Did someone slip? Hilarious. Is a sock wet? Comedy gold. They are having the absolute time of their lives, and their contagious cackles are the unofficial soundtrack of the UHTM 10km.

Conclusion: They are all beating us. Not necessarily on the clock (though some might be), but in the Vibes & Performance Art category. They have reminded every mud-splattered, grimacing runner that this is, in fact, supposed to be fun.

They are the living, breathing, singing, giggling proof that adventure isn’t just for the gritty and grim. It’s for anyone with a silly idea, a pair of shoes, and the audacity to add a pirouette to a puddle.

Tag these ladies and your trail buddies to share their joy!

Our youngest finisher in the 42km event, Travis Brigg with a commendable 4th place behind some strong male athletes. As one of the Gilnokie ambassadors, Travis has been a regular at our UHTM events with 2 podiums in the 21km event in previous years, and then stepping up in 2025 to challenge the BEAST of Krantzkloof with a tough but successful finish for the youngster who only turned 19 this year.
Well done Travis! We look forward to watching you do great things in the trail running community.

Photos!! Photos!! Photos!!
Yes, we have the official race images on route, and you can download them for your personal reels, posts and stories.

Copy these links into your browser and you’ll be able to view some exceptional images of UHTM2025. Please TAG and COLLAB us and we will share your posts on our official platforms.

https://upperhighwaytrailmarathon.pixieset.com/individualimagesuhtm2025/

https://upperhighwaytrailmarathon.pixieset.com/21km/

https://upperhighwaytrailmarathon.pixieset.com/42km/

https://upperhighwaytrailmarathon.pixieset.com/10kmwalk/

🏆 THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN. THE ULTIMATE TEST. 🏆

They don’t call it “The Beast” for nothing. The Upper Highway Trail Marathon isn’t just a race; it’s a 42km rite of passage.

This is where legends are forged. We take you deep into the breathtaking, raw heart of the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve—down into its soul-stirring depths. But the real journey begins when you look up… and face the monumental climb back out. This is 42km of relentless, gruelling, and breathtakingly beautiful trail that pushes you to your absolute limit.

💬 Veteran runners have called it:
✅ “BRUTAL.”
✅ “Tougher than Comrades.”
✅ The defining challenge of their running careers.

Why do they come back? For the sheer, unadulterated elation at the finish line at Camp Orchards. For the right to earn “THE CAP.” More than just finisher’s gear, this cap is a symbol of resilience, a badge of honour worn by those who have conquered The Beast. It sits on the bucket list of many serious trail runners, and we were lucky to have Jacques Buys and Tamara Rebman take the titles this year.

Maybe next year???

Varvara Shikanova takes the win in our ladies category for our UHTM 2025 21km event.
Congratulations!!

Congratulations to our men’s winner of the 21km event at UHTM2025, Giovanni Bianco.
Well done on a 2024 and 2025 win!