We are THRILLED to be hosting our 10th anniversary in 2025\, join us for an unfor gettable experience as well pull out some bonkers ideas for our FUN-FILLED weekend away.
"The Oxpecker Trail Run hits the sweet spot between challenging and charming. Two days o f trail running is no joke\, but the beautiful route\, the Race Village se tting\, the family putting on the show\, the superb food and drinks and th e general “welcome to our home\, please enjoy everything” atmosphere o f the event makes the Ox pecker one of the most u nique races on the local calendar.
You can take the run seriously or plod along fo r fun. You can sit around and eat all day after your run or you can snooze in your luxuriously-appointed tent on the banks of the Tugela River with the trees slowly and calmly rustling all about you. Most importantly\, tho ugh\, the Oxpecker is hosted by people who love and appreciate the outdoor s and countryside\, and that passion seeps into every aspect of the event. No wonder the event was dabbed "Africa's Favourite Trail Run."
The Oxpecker comprises of 3 events which are exactly the same \, the ONLY difference is that the African weekend has prize money.
Day 1: 21km
Start ing along the banks of the Tugela river the route follows cattle tracks sl owly meandering to the base of Spioenkop Mountain. The climbing begins on a well-worn purpose made single track making running easier as the runners and walkers make their way towards the summit of Twin Peaks passing under beautiful acacia trees and aloes. After soaking up the incredible views f rom the summit the runners then traverse along the top before arriving at Water point 1 manned by a group of festive ladies who have climbed up the previous day taking up all the food and drinks. Runners then make their wa y down on single track passing herds of antelope and Giraffe before arrivi ng at Garden of Eden.
Day 2: 15km
A much easier day starts with a fun ride in a traditional taxi to the top of a hill to reach our secret start destination for Day 2. This is a traditional cattle and irrigation farm so the runners get to run through m aize fields and passed herds of cattle grazing in the pastures. After a sm all climb they then run down through thick African bush veld on purpose ma de single tracks and passing large fields of aloes all the way back to the river crossing at a bridge before finishing at the race village.
We offer a number of different type s of tents to suit your budget and needs\, they are all canvas tents and h ave permanent ablutions\, for more information on the below please click here. When you book the tent you get the t ent to yourself and you can choose a friend to share it with you. The cost is for Friday and Sat night.
Oxpecker tent - R400
< p>Kudu tent - R1200Weaver tent - R2400
Kingfisher tent - R350 0
Fish Eagle tent - R6000
Oxpecker rooms - R3500
Self ca mping - will not be available for 2025.