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There’s nothing wrong at all with a little jog along the Sea Point Promenade. Cape Town is home to some fantastic Parkrun events. And we know that Table Mountain has some of the world’s finest trail running. Ryan Sandes told us his favourite Table Mountain trail over here.
But if you’re looking for a challenge that falls somewhere between a fun day out and being completely unhinged, then look no further than the Red Bull Dune Dusters. Running is hard. Sand is soft. Put the two together, and you've got the ingredients for a deep, dark pain-cave.
That certainly won’t be enough to stop hundreds of enthusiastic runners from tackling the sandy slopes of the Atlantis Dunes in February, when the Red Bull Dune Dusters returns to the Mother City for the first time since 2020.
Wait. What is the Red Bull Dune Dusters?
Well, simply put, it’s a little jog. Five or six kilometres. No problem, right? Ah, but there’s a twist. This loop takes runners up, down, and around the talcum-soft sand dunes of Atlantis. There are flatter stretches and some technical sections, but it’s the steep climbs on shifting sand dunes that separate the tough from the rest.
And, there’s a twist. You don’t just run it once and call it a day. You have to race just to qualify for the race. Then you’ll compete to stay in the mix as the field gets whittled down.
How does it work exactly?
To start, there are a series of time-trial qualification heats (8.30am – 11am), before the event shifts into ‘The Eliminator’. The top 100 male and female runners will advance to this knock-out stage. The top 20 male and female runners then progress to the finals.
Just to remind you, by now you’ve already run around 12 kilometres in sapping sandy conditions. Ouch
From the Finals – run in two sessions – the podium will be filled by the top three male and female runners.
Prize money? There’s no word on that yet, but in the last event, the winners walked away with… a glass jar full of sand. So, evidently, runners are not here for the big payday! On the plus side, you might just discover muscles you didn’t know existed.
Intriguing. When and where does it happen?
Red Bull Dune Dusters takes place on Saturday, 21 February 2026. Registration starts at 7am.
You got questions? We got answers
- How far is it? The marked loop is between five and six kilometres. The total distance you’ll run depends on how far you advance in the elimination rounds.
- What’s the cost? R100 entry fee.
- Can anyone run? Yes, but a minimum age of 16 years.
- Can I just come and watch? Yes! Spectators are welcome, with viewing around the start/finish ‘race village’.
- Any kit advice? Lightweight trail shoes are best, says Ryan Sandes, but barefoot is allowed. Also, moisture-wicking gear, plus sun/dust protection (sunnies and a buff).
How do I enter?
Entries are live via EntryNinja. The race is limited to 600 entries.
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