MCC RACE GUIDES
Practical MCC race guides that break down the course, training demands, nutrition, pacing, equipment and race-day strategy — so you know what you are preparing for before you get to the start line.
THE MCC LIBRARY
Every race asks something different of the athlete. Use the guides below to understand those demands and turn them into better preparation.
RACE GUIDE
Race at a glanceRace at a Glance Distance: Approximately 700 km across a prologue and seven stages; the 2026 elite men's/mixed route was 707 kmRoute/Direction: Western Cape, with a new route designed each year through mountains and farmlandTerrain: Technical…
RACE GUIDE
Race at a glanceRace at a Glance Distance: 120 km with approximately 2,650–2,900 m of ascent; use official 2027 route information as the final referenceRoute/Direction: Point-to-point from Chandelier Game Reserve near Oudtshoorn to Great Brak RiverTerrain: Rough jeep track,…
RACE GUIDE
Race at a glanceRace at a Glance Distance: 109 kmRoute/Direction: Loop around the Cape Peninsula, starting and finishing in Cape TownTerrain: Tarred road with rolling terrain and signature climbs including Chapman's Peak and SuikerbossieKey Dates: Held annually in March;…
RACE GUIDE
Race at a glanceRace at a Glance Distance: Approximately 90 kmRoute/Direction: Pietermaritzburg → DurbanTerrain: 100% tar road, with sustained descents and five major climbsKey Dates: Held annually in June; 2027 is the Down RunCut-offs: Multiple intermediate cut-offs throughout the…
RACE GUIDE
Race at a glanceRace at a Glance Distance: 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike, 21.1 km run — 113 km totalRoute/Direction: Swim at uShaka Beach, rolling bike course and beachfront-based run around Durban and SuncoastTerrain: Open-ocean swim, rolling bike…
RACE GUIDE
Race at a glanceRace at a Glance Distance: 3.9 km swim, 180.2 km bike, 42.2 km run — 226.3 km totalRoute/Direction: Full-distance Ironman based in Mossel Bay, Garden Route; final course details are still being confirmedTerrain: Final swim, bike…
RACE GUIDE
Race at a glanceRace at a Glance Distance: Approximately 265 km over three days, with roughly 3,301 m of climbingRoute/Direction: Point-to-point from the southern Drakensberg to ScottburghTerrain: Flowing singletrack, farms, forests, valley riding and the signature Umko DropKey Dates:…
RACE GUIDE
Race at a glanceRace at a Glance Distance: 202 km team time trialRoute/Direction: Circular route starting and finishing in Swellendam, through the Western CapeTerrain: Road cycling through farmland, mountain passes, vineyards and Karoo-influenced terrain, with significant climbingKey Dates: Held…
RACE GUIDE
Race at a glanceRace at a Glance Distance: 42 km, traversing the full Otter TrailRoute/Direction: Alternates annually — Classic Edition East to West from Storms River to Nature's Valley; Retto Edition West to EastTerrain: Rugged Indian Ocean coastline, indigenous…
RACE GUIDE
Race at a glanceRace at a Glance Distance: 160 km, with a shorter 50-mile option also availableRoute/Direction: Point-to-point from Hartbeespoort Dam to Sun City ResortTerrain: Fast, largely flat gravel route with gravel and public-tar sections and approximately 1,000 m…
RACE GUIDE
Race at a glanceRace at a Glance Distance: 100 km; current official information lists approximately 3,400 m of elevationRoute/Direction: From Silverstreams through the Southern Drakensberg to Premier Resort Sani PassTerrain: Mountain trail and dirt road, including major Drakensberg features…
RACE GUIDE
Race at a glanceRace at a Glance Distance: 42.2 kmRoute/Direction: Point-to-loop road course centred on Green Point, taking in the Atlantic Seaboard, City Bowl and Table Mountain before returning to Green PointTerrain: Tarred road, largely flat to gently rolling…
RACE GUIDE
Race at a glanceRace at a Glance Distance: Approximately 1,100–1,150 km, with exact route length varying by editionRoute/Direction: Point-to-point from Bloemfontein to Doolhof Wine Estate in Wellington, predominantly off-road on a fixed GPS routeTerrain: Remote Karoo gravel and dirt…
RACE GUIDE
Race at a glanceRace at a Glance Distance: 56 km Ultra MarathonRoute/Direction: Point-to-loop course starting and finishing in Newlands, via the Cape PeninsulaTerrain: Tarred road; relatively flat first half followed by Chapman's Peak and Constantia NekKey Dates: Held annually…
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