01 / KNOW THE ROUTE
What the course asks of you
Cradock Pass and the Outeniquas
The race opens with the old Voortrekker route, Cradock Pass, which the organiser describes as the biggest climb of the day. From there you drop into the Pass to Pass route and cross the Outeniquas into Champherskloof, where the fynbos of the Klein Karoo brings, in the organiser’s words, the heat.
Montagu Pass and Dizzy Heights
After a stop on Montagu Pass you climb back over the mountains, including the Dizzy Heights climb, for what the organiser calls some of the best mountain running on the Garden Route, with views down to the George Dam.
Forest, river and the finish
The later miles cross the Kaaimans River to Groenkop Nature Reserve, run the Groeneweide forest trails to Saasveld, then follow the Garden Route Dam back up to Tierkop, where you join the 60 km route for The Wall and Tonnelbos. Forest trails and the Trail Kiosk cheering point lead you under the city bridges to the finish.
02 / BUILD THE BLOCK
How to prepare
Built for big climbs
4,717 m over 100 km is serious mountain racing, with rocky trails and technical downhills. Living in the UK, most of us have to work for that. Hill reps, long hikes with poles if you plan to use them, and sustained climbing on a treadmill or stairs all count.
Prepare for warmth
The organiser flags heat in the Klein Karoo section. Your build runs through a UK spring, so add some heat exposure in the last few weeks, such as extra layers on easy runs or post-run sauna, and practise drinking and taking salt in warm conditions.
Running in the dark
A 05:00 start and a 25-hour limit mean most runners will use a headtorch at both ends of the day. Do some long runs that start or finish in the dark, on technical ground.
Keep your running and strength work in one place. Explore MaxMile for your MUT 100 preparation, or compare the levels of personal coaching.
03 / PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
Pace the race you have trained for
The biggest climb comes first, which tempts people to go hard while they are fresh. Hike Cradock Pass at a pace you could hold all day, and eat from the first hour. The thing with ultras is that the first half is about getting to the second half in good shape.
Expect the warmest part of the day in the Klein Karoo section, so slow down early there rather than late. If you reach Tierkop with your legs intact, the familiar 60 km route finish is runnable and you can make up time.
04 / MAKE ROOM FOR TRAINING
When should your block start?
MUT 100 by UTMB is on Saturday 29 May 2027, about 28 weeks from early November 2026. Use the winter for base mileage and strength, then start a 16 to 20-week race-specific block between January and early February.
Your heaviest climbing weeks belong in April and early May, with heat work in the final three to four weeks. Then taper for about 17 days, which matches the MaxMile taper for 100 km. Book flights and accommodation early, and allow a couple of days in George before the race to recover from the journey.
05 / SORT THE PRACTICAL BITS
Kit and race-weekend planning
George is on South Africa’s Garden Route in the Western Cape. South Africa is one hour ahead of the UK in late May, so jet lag is minimal, but the travel day is long. The organiser publishes separate Mandatory Gear, Race Rules, Runner’s Guide and How To Get There pages, so check the mandatory gear list for your edition before you buy anything.
The organiser warns of heat on the Karoo side of the mountains, and a 05:00 start means time in the dark and the cool of early morning too. Pack for a wide range of temperatures, and train in the shoes and pack you will race in.
