Enter the Oxpecker trail marathon

The adventure challenge

The step Up

 

The Oxpecker Trail Marathon is a smaller, more intimate event with the same world-class hospitality that you’ve come to know and love.

Aimed towards the runners who are looking for a slight challenge and more chances to view the unbelievable scenery. These trails are well-run and correctly maintained, giving you the best chance of tubing down the river towards the finish line, with a beer in hand.

2026 Entries are open

The 42km
Route

When:
18 April 2026

Cost:
R3400 per tent sharing
R3900 per tent solo

ENter Now

The 21km ultra route

When:
18 April 2026

Cost:
R3200 per tent sharing
R3700 per tent solo

ENter Now

Support a pecker

Supporter Peckers are welcome at the Oxpecker Marathon provided they buy a supporters package. The package includes all meals and they have to share the tent with the runner.

Cost: R2700

be a supporter

Entry info

What’s included in your entry


Access IconAccess: To Africa’s most innovative trail run.

Trails Icon
Trails: Exceptional Trails built by runners

Ablutions IconAblutions: Permanent ablution facilities and Showers​​.

Water Points IconWater Points: Well-stocked with homemade goodies, including our famous Oxpecker date balls.

Race Pack IconRace Pack: A high-quality race garment and a goodie bag you’ll actually use again.

Champagne IconBeverages for your last kilometer float down the river

Restaurant IconMeals: Wedding standard meals from Friday dinner to Sunday breakfast

Cake IconAfternoon Cake and good-quality champagne as you lounge and recover in the sun.

Village IconRace Village: A fully set up race village with the Hot Box, exclusive Oxpecker garment shop, and a well-stocked bar.

Medical IconMedical Support: Medics on the route and a registered doctor in the race village available at any time over the weekend.

Tent IconLarge Canvas tented accommodation with Beds, Electricity

The adventure challenge

Race Registration

 

this is the soace where race registration will need to go. 

What to expect 

Smaller and more intimate

Our trail marathon event is called at 250 runners creating a smaller and more intimate event.

Tube the last km

If you know, you know. If you don’t know, just know it will be a highlight of your weekend. Fit for all ages, with golden oldies and South Africa’s favourite tracks – it’s nothing like you’ve seen before!

Incredible food

Everything that you need over the weekend, all in one place. The Oxpecker race village is fully set up with a stocked bar full of delicious wine, Notties Brewery Craft beer, and of course, the famous Oxpecker Shop.
And then there’s the food, fresh, locally sourced, delicious buffet’s to fuel you throughout your weekend.

Memorable trails

Our Peckers rave about the vibe, which is hard to explain because it’s actually a feeling that words can’t grasp. When you bring together trail lovers, adventure seekers and a whole lot of good energy, something special happens. You arrive as a stranger, and suddenly become a PECKER – part of the big, vibey family.

Trail marathon itinerary

Friday

16:00
16:00
18:00
19:00

Arrival & Registration
Registration opens
Dinner opens
Race Briefing

SATURDAY

06:00
07:00
08:00
12:00
16:00
18:00

 

Breakfast
START OF THE 50KM OXPECKER marathon TRAIL RUN
Start of the 25km Oxpecker Trail Run
Lunch opens until 16:00
Champagne & Cake
Dinner & FUN Prize Giving

SUNDAY

07:00

 

Breakfast opens until 9:00

 

Trail marathon itinerary

Friday

16:00 – Arrival & Registration

16:00 – Registration opens

18:00 – Dinner opens

19:00 – Race Briefing

SATURDAY

06:00 – Breakfast

07:00 – START OF THE 50KM  OXPECKER marathon TRAIL RUN

08:00 – Start of the 25km Oxpecker Trail Run

12: 00 – Lunch opens until 16:00

16: 00 – Champagne & Cake

18:00 – Dinner & FUN Prize Giving

SUNDAY

07:00 – Breakfast opens until 09:00

 

Green Gables

Getting there

Oxpecker is held just outside Winterton, KwaZulu-Natal.

Driving Times:
From Johannesburg: Around 4.5 hours via the N3
From Durban: Around 3 hours via the N3

Detailed directions will be sent before race weekend.

Download Directions

“

The entire event! Attention to detail, facilities, food and shop. Wow from start to finish.

–  Lisa Wiechers

“

 Loved the vibe, the fact that it was so well organised by a family with vision, great food, great tracks. Just overall wonderful experience

–  Debbie Rohrs

“

OMG I could write a book on what I loved! Honestly EVERYTHING at Oxpecker is incredible – the trails, the people, the food, the vibes, the race packs – EVERYTHING!

– Semliki Addison

“

I had heard that the Oxpecker was a “must do” event but now I’ve seen it with my own eyes and it blew me away!

– Michael Mervitz