01♥
A card is drawn
Just before each lap, the race director draws one card for the whole field. The number is the distance: draw a 5, run 5 km.
Ghost Miles Events presents
4♣4♣
5♦5♦
6♠6♠
7♥7♥
8♣8♣
The Gauntlet: South Africa's most unpredictable ultra.
Every hour, the race director draws one card for the whole field, and the number on it is how many kilometres everyone runs. Draw a 4, cruise it. Draw an 8, dig deep. Nobody knows what's coming next, and that's the fun.
--days
--hours
--min
--sec
21–22
Aug 2027
18 hrs
Sat 18:00 – Sun 12:00
4–8 km
Per lap, by the card
150
Runners max
Kruistementvlei Farm, PiketbergWestern Cape · About 2 hours from Cape Town
Get directions01 How it works
The deck is back for year three.
Same simple rules, same wild card. When the bell rings, the whole field lines up and one card decides how far you're running. Make it back before the next bell, refuel, and do it all again. How deep into the deck can you go?
02♣
Everyone heads out
The bell rings every hour, on the hour, and the whole field sets off together on the same distance.
03♠
Back before the bell
Finish inside the hour and the rest of the time is yours to eat, rest and refill. Miss the bell and your race is done, but every lap you finished still counts.
04♦
Last lap, podium race
At 11:00 on Sunday the final bell rings, and the last lap is a straight race for the podium, with separate top threes for men and women.
02 The draw
The number is the distance.
The deck only holds 4s to 8s, so every lap is somewhere between 4 and 8 km. The suit is just for show. Nobody knows what's coming until the card is turned, and that's half the fun.
Laps 1–10 · Sat 18:00 – Sun 03:00
4–6 km
Shorter laps for the first ten hours, so beginners can settle in.
Laps 11–18 · Sun 04:00 – 11:00
4–8 km
The full deck comes out, and the last lap is the race for the podium.
Try it: deal a lap
4
4
Lap 1 · 18:00 · 4 km
Laps 1–10: 4s, 5s and 6s only.
Total distance
4km
after 1 lap
03 Race weekend
21–22 August 2027
Arrive Saturday, run through the night, and finish with the podium race on Sunday morning.
Saturday
21 August
- Check-in & registration open
Pick your camping spot near the start line.
- Registration closes
- Race briefing
- First card, first bell
Headlamps on. The race runs through the night.
Through the nightA new card and a new lap every hour, on the hour.
Sunday
22 August
- Last lap: podium race
Separate podiums for men and women. The first three men and the first three women back take 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
- Race ends
- Prize-giving
- Event closes
Camp on the farm
Camping from Saturday to Sunday is included. Your tent is a few steps from the start line.
Bring your own fuel
This one's self-supported. Pack the food and drinks you like and set up your own table by the start.
Headlamp required
We start at sunset and run through the night, so a headlamp is the one piece of mandatory kit.
04 The venue
Kruistementvlei Farm
Piketberg, Western Cape. A mixed loop with lots of singletrack and a seriously fun trail. Camp is right at the start line, so between laps you're resting, not walking.
- From Cape TownAbout 2 hours' drive
- TerrainA mix, mostly singletrack
- Lap4–8 km, depending on the card
05 Entries
Take a seat at the table.
There are only 150 spots, and the earlier you enter, the less you pay.
Early bird
R950
Until 31 December 2026
Sold at this price until the date aboveGeneral
R1150
1 January – 30 April 2027
Sold at this price until the date aboveLate
R1350
1 May – 20 July 2027
Sold at this price until the date aboveEnter now · R950
Secure payment via Paystack.
Every entry includes
- Race shirt
- Medal
- Goodie bag
- Camping Sat–Sun
150 runners maximum field
Entries close 20 July 2027 or when full
Mandatory kit: headlamp
06 FAQ
Good questions.
Everything you need to know before you take a seat at the table.
I've never run an ultra. Can I do this?
Yes, and we built it with you in mind. For the first ten hours no lap is longer than 6 km, you're never far from camp, and you choose when to stop. Plenty of people come for a few laps and stay for the vibe.
Do I have to run all 18 hours?
Not at all. Run as many laps as feels right. Every lap you finish before the bell counts.
How does the card draw work?
Before each lap the race director draws one card for everyone. The number is the lap distance in kilometres, from 4 to 8. For laps 1 to 10, only 4s, 5s and 6s are in play. The suit doesn't matter.
How are the winners decided?
The final lap starts at 11:00 on Sunday and it's a race, with separate podiums for men and women: the first three men and the first three women back take 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Prize-giving is at 14:00.
What do I need to bring?
A headlamp, which is mandatory. Bring your camping gear and all your own food and drinks, because the race is self-supported. Warm layers for the night laps are a good idea too.
What's included in my entry?
A race shirt, a medal, a goodie bag and camping on the farm from Saturday to Sunday.
07 Rules
House rules. Read before you play.
The short version: be back before the bell, respect the farm, and no flames. The details are below.
The race
- The bell rings every hour, on the hour, from 18:00 on Saturday to the last lap at 11:00 on Sunday.
- Before each lap the race director draws one card for the whole field. The number is the lap distance in kilometres (4 to 8 km). Laps 1–10 are never longer than 6 km.
- Be back in the start corral before the next bell. Miss it and your race is over, but every lap you finished still counts.
- The 11:00 Sunday lap is the podium race, with separate top threes for men and women.
- This is a self-supported event: bring your own food and drinks. A headlamp is mandatory.
- The format and lap distances may change at Ghost Miles' discretion. Any change is announced before or at the start.
Entry & eligibility
- Your entry is confirmed on full payment.
- You must be 18 or older on 21 August 2027. Proof of age may be requested.
- Entries are non-refundable and non-transferable: no refunds, no deferrals and no swapping to someone else.
Registration & safety
- You must sign the indemnity waiver in person at registration before you can start. No waiver, no start.
- You take part entirely at your own risk, and you're responsible for being physically ready for trail terrain at night.
- Declare any medical conditions at registration.
- Ghost Miles can withdraw any runner on medical or safety grounds at any time, and that decision is final.
- Follow all instructions from race officials, medical staff and crew. Not doing so can mean immediate disqualification.
Conduct
- Treat fellow runners, supporters, staff, volunteers and the farm with respect.
- Dangerous, disruptive or disrespectful behaviour means removal from the event, with no refund.
- All decisions made by race officials are final.
Litter & cigarettes
Zero tolerance- If we catch you dropping a cigarette butt or any litter on the ground, you'll be disqualified and asked to leave.
- Use the bins provided. A dropped cigarette on dry veld is a fire risk as much as a mess.
Pets
- The event is pet-friendly, but this is a working farm with other animals on it.
- You're responsible for your dog at all times.
- If your dog misbehaves, chases or disturbs the farm animals, or is out of control, you'll be asked to leave.
Media
- A photographer will be on-site. By entering, you consent to being photographed and filmed, and to that media being used for marketing.
- If you'd rather not, email ghostmilesevents@gmail.com before the event.
Fire policy
Zero toleranceNo open flames anywhere on the farm (campsite, parking, trails or anywhere on the property) unless you're in a designated accommodation area booked with us. This is dry farmland and one spark is a real problem. If we see any flame or cooking or heat source in the main camping area, it's an instant disqualification. That includes, but isn't limited to:
- Open fires and campfires
- Braais of any kind: wood, charcoal, gas, skottel or disposable
- Gas cookers, two-plate burners, camping stoves and Jetboils
- Fire pits and fire drums
- Paraffin or gas stoves and lamps
- Candles, tiki torches and open-flame lanterns
Your seat is waiting.
18 hours, a farm full of singletrack and 150 runners taking it lap by lap.
Enter The Gauntlet