All about the oxpecker experience
The Oxpecker Trail Run is organised by the Green family. The family works with an amazing crew of people from the area who all enjoy the same passion, trail running.
We feel strongly about always coming up with innovative ideas, finding the most exciting routes, having quality food, amazing race village and mainly creating an atmosphere that no other trail run has achieved.
The oxpecker history
2015
The event’s inaugural run was hosted in 2015 with 490
runners. Being SO chuffed with the response from the
runners in our first year we only wanted our event to
get better and for more runners to experience it.
The event’s inaugural run was hosted in 2015 with 490
runners. Being SO chuffed with the response from the
runners in our first year we only wanted our event to
get better and for more runners to experience it.
2016
2017
Finally in 2017 we decided, due to demand to host 2 events, both capped at 950 runners each, on consecutive weekends. This is how the names yellow-billed and red-billed Oxpecker came about. The response we have had this year has been unbelievable with both races filling as well as both races having a waiting list. We couldn’t be more proud of this event.
Our first trilogy of events was released with all three events selling out. We couldn’t be prouder of how far we have come and we will continue to explore innovative ways to grow.
2018
2021
Oxpecker Ultra, now called the Oxpecker Trail Marathon was created.
Spoen got married!
2024
2025
New record as the Yellow Billed Oxpecker sells out in early access!.
2015
The event’s inaugural run was hosted in 2015 with 490 runners. Being SO chuffed with the response from the runners in our first year we only wanted our event to get better and for more runners to experience it.
2016
The event’s inaugural run was hosted in 2015 with 490 runners. Being SO chuffed with the response from the runners in our first year we only wanted our event to get better and for more runners to experience it.
2017
Finally in 2017 we decided, due to demand to host 2 events, both capped at 950 runners each, on consecutive weekends. This is how the names yellow-billed and red-billed Oxpecker came about. The response we have had this year has been unbelievable with both races filling as well as both races having a waiting list. We couldn’t be more proud of this event.
2018
Our first trilogy of events was released with all three events selling out. We couldn’t be prouder of how far we have come and we will continue to explore innovative ways to grow.
2021
Oxpecker Ultra, now called the Oxpecker Trail Marathon was created.
.
2024
Spoen got married!
2025
New record as the Yellow Billed Oxpecker sells out in early access!
.
About us
The Oxpecker Trail Run is a family-run event born from the Green family’s love for adventure, trail running, and weekends away.
It began in 2015 with 490 runners and quickly grew—by 2016, 950 participants filled the event to capacity, prompting a waiting list.
Today, we proudly host three sold-out events over three
weekends in May. We’re truly grateful to meet new faces and welcome back so many familiar ones each year.
To maintain quality, we capped numbers to ensure each runner having an outstanding experience—from catering and trails to personalised communication.
Since then, we’ve built new trails, added river bridges and
transport, and welcomed new members to the Green family.
Oxpecker was South Africa’s first 2-day stage trail run and
continues to champion adventure, innovation, top-tier food, and an unmatched race village atmosphere.
