Cape Town already hosts some of the world's most beautiful road marathons, but come 2027, the Mother City will also host one of the biggest events in the off-road running calendar. This week, it was confirmed that the 2027 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships (WMTRC) will be held on the slopes of Table Mountain!
The 2027 championships will be the very first time the event is held in Africa, and from 6-10 October 2027, the competition will see some of the world's best trail runners tackling the rugged, technical and unforgettable trails of Table Mountain National Park.
The announcement follows a successful joint bid by Golazo South Africa, Athletics South Africa, and Western Province Athletics.
With its highly technical trails, capricious weather and steep ascents, Table Mountain is a dream (and sometimes a nightmare!) for trail runners, and the courses are sure to deliver everything from punishing climbs to calf-busting descents across a patchwork of terrains.
"It is always exciting when a major athletics event is staged in a new continent for the first time, and this is no exception," said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. "Cape Town hosting the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships marks not only an exciting opportunity for the local area, but also for the sport as a whole."
The World Mountain Running Championships were first staged in 1985, while the World Trail Championships debuted in 2007. In 2021, the two combined to form the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships (WMTRC), now held every two years. The 2025 championships are set for Canfranc-Pirineos, Spain, from September 25-28.
The WMTRC program features four senior races: Classic (up and down), Uphill, Short trail and Long trail, with both individual and team medals up for grabs. An U/20 race is in place to develop young talent, while mass-participation and side events ensure everyday runners can also join the action. In 2027 the championships are expected to attract 1200 elite athletes from over 80 countries, with thousands of amateurs taking part in open events.
Trail running in South Africa is already booming, thanks to local legends like Ryan Sandes – check out his favorite Table Mountain trails here – who has helped cement Cape Town as one of the world's great trail-running cities.
"The sensational views of Cape Town and Table Mountain will form a fitting backdrop to the WMTRC 27," said Tomo Sarf, Nadeem Khan and Janet Ng, presidents of the three partner associations. "We are looking forward to enjoying the races on Table Mountain and the hospitality of the Cape."
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis was equally bullish: "There is surely no better backdrop to this prestigious event than our very own Wonder of the Natural World, the iconic Table Mountain. But runners should not be fooled by her beauty... Table Mountain's rugged trails and steep elevations will pose a stern challenge."
Ryan Sandes: The best trail runs on Table Mountain