The Gauntlet | 18-Hour Ultra | 2027

The Gauntlet is an 18-hour backyard ultra run on a working farm in the Western Cape, where a deck of cards decides how far you run. It’s produced by Ghost Miles Events, and 2027 is its third year.

Every hour, on the hour, the race director draws one card for the whole field. The number on that card is how many kilometres everyone runs on that lap, anywhere from 4 km to 8 km. Nobody knows the distance until the card is turned. Make it back before the next bell and you go again. Miss it and your race is over, but every lap you finished still counts.

It’s billed as South Africa’s most unpredictable ultra. It’s also one of the friendliest ways to try an ultra for the first time. The whole field starts every lap together, camp is at the start line, and you decide where your own finish line is: one lap or all eighteen.

Key details

• Event: The Gauntlet, 18 Hour Ultra (year three)
• Organiser: Ghost Miles Events
• Dates: Saturday 21 to Sunday 22 August 2027
• Race time: Saturday 18:00 to Sunday 12:00 (18 hours)
• Venue: Kruistementvlei Farm, Piketberg, Western Cape
• Distance from Cape Town: about 2 hours’ drive
• Format: backyard ultra with a card-draw distance mechanic
• Lap distance: 4-8 km, set by the card. For the first ten hours, no lap is longer than 6 km
• Field size: 150 runners maximum
• Support: self-supported
• Mandatory kit: a headlamp
• Entries: online via Racepass or https://ghostmilesevents.com

How the race works

The bell

A bell rings every hour, on the hour, starting at 18:00 on Saturday. When it rings, every runner still in the race must be in the start corral, ready to go. The whole field sets off together on every lap.

The draw

Just before each lap, the race director draws one card from the deck. That card applies to every runner in the field: everyone runs the same distance on the same lap. The deck holds only 4s, 5s, 6s, 7s and 8s, and the number on the card is the lap distance in kilometres. The suit makes no difference.

Beginner-friendly early hours

For the first ten hours (laps 1 to 10, Saturday 18:00 to Sunday 03:00), no lap is longer than 6 km. Only 4s, 5s and 6s are in play. This gives newer runners time to settle into the format, find their rhythm and get through the first part of the night. From lap 11 onwards (Sunday 04:00 to 11:00), the full deck comes out and any lap can be anything from 4 km to 8 km.

Beating the bell

Each lap must be finished before the next bell rings. Whatever time is left over is yours: eat, drink, refill bottles, change layers, sit down, rest. When the bell rings again, you line up for the next card.

As a guide:

• a 4 km lap gives you 15 minutes per kilometre, which is walking pace
• a 5 km lap needs 12 minutes per kilometre
• a 6 km lap needs 10 minutes per kilometre
• an 8 km lap needs 7:30 per kilometre

Ending your race

If you aren’t back in the start corral when the bell rings, your race is over. There’s no DNF in the usual sense: every lap you completed before that point counts. You can also choose to stop at any time. You get a medal even if you only complete one lap.

The podium lap

The final bell rings at 11:00 on Sunday. The last lap is a straight race. The first three men and the first three women back take 1st, 2nd and 3rd on separate podiums.

Weekend schedule

Saturday 21 August 2027

• 10:00: check-in and registration open. Runners arrive, pick a camping spot and set up near the start line.
• 16:30: registration closes
• 17:00: race briefing covering the rules of the deck, the course and the corral
• 18:00: first card, first bell. The race starts at sunset and runs through the night.

Sunday 22 August 2027

• 11:00: last lap, the podium race
• 12:00: race ends
• 14:00: prize-giving
• 18:00: event closes

The venue and course

The Gauntlet is held at Kruistementvlei Farm in Piketberg, about two hours’ drive from Cape Town. It’s a working farm with other animals living on it, surrounded by Western Cape farmland and fynbos. The course is a mixed trail loop with lots of singletrack and plenty of fun, with uphill sections and descents. There are no mountains at the venue, but there are trails that climb. Most of the race happens in the dark, so runners tackle the singletrack by headlamp for much of the night. Camp is set up right at the start line, so between laps runners rest at their own tent and table instead of walking to and from a separate base.

Entry fees

Entering at early bird price saves R400 compared to late entry. Entries close on 20 July 2027, or earlier if all 150 places are taken.

Every entry includes

• a race shirt
• a medal
• a goodie bag
• camping on the farm from Saturday to Sunday

What to bring

Mandatory:

• a headlamp. The race starts at sunset and runs through the night, so this is non-negotiable. Spare batteries or a backup light are strongly recommended.

Strongly recommended:

• All your own food and drinks. The event is self-supported, so set up your own table at the start line.
• Hot drinks in flasks. Fill them before you arrive, because no stoves or cookers are allowed (see the fire policy).
• Warm layers for the night. The farm gets cold after midnight in August.
• A rain jacket.
• Camping gear: tent, sleeping bag and a camp chair.
• Fresh socks and shoes to change into after the night laps.
• A power bank for your watch, phone and headlamp.

Rules

Entry and 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. There are no refunds, no deferrals and no swapping to someone else.

Registration and 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 running at night.
• Declare any medical conditions at registration.
• Ghost Miles Events 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.

Fire policy (zero tolerance)

There are no open flames anywhere on the farm unless you’re in a designated accommodation area booked through the organisers. That covers the campsite, the parking, the trails and the rest of the property. It’s dry farmland in August, and one spark is a serious risk.

If any flame or cooking or heat source is seen in the main camping area, it’s an instant disqualification. This 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

Litter and cigarettes (zero tolerance)

• Anyone caught dropping a cigarette butt or any litter on the ground will be disqualified and asked to leave.
• Use the bins provided. A dropped cigarette on dry veld is a fire risk as well as a mess.

Pets

• The event is pet-friendly, but it’s 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.

Format changes

• The format and lap distances may change at Ghost Miles Events’ discretion. Any changes will be announced before or at the start.

Media

• A photographer will be on site. By entering, you consent to being photographed and filmed, and to that media being used for marketing.

Who it’s for

• First-time ultra runners: short laps for the first ten hours, camp always close, and every lap counts. If you can walk 4 km in an hour, you can start.
• Trail lovers: farm singletrack under the stars, with a sunrise at the end.
• Competitive runners: the final lap is an all-out race, with separate podiums for men and women.
• Run clubs and groups of friends: everyone starts together every hour, whatever their pace, and crews can camp side by side at the start line.
• People who are mostly there for the atmosphere: a campsite full of runners, headlamps climbing the hill at 2am, and a weekend away from the city.

Frequently asked questions

I’ve never run an ultra. Can I do this?

Yes. The format was built with you in mind. No lap is longer than 6 km for the first ten hours, you’re never far from camp, and you choose when to stop.

Do I have to run all 18 hours?

No. Run as many laps as feels right. Every lap you finish before the bell counts and everyone gets a medal.

Can I walk?

Yes. The only rule is being back before the next bell. Walk, run or shuffle.

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. Only 4s, 5s and 6s are in play for laps 1 to 10, and the suit doesn’t matter.

How are the winners decided?

The final lap starts at 11:00 on Sunday and is a straight race. The first three men and the first three women back take 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Prize-giving is at 14:00.

Is there food and water on course?

The event is self-supported, so bring everything you need and set up your own table at the start. Drinking water is available and we will have vendors selling snacks and some food.

Can I cook at camp?

No. There are no flames of any kind on the farm, so bring cold food and fill flasks with hot drinks before you arrive.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, but you’re fully responsible for it. If it misbehaves or disturbs the farm animals, you’ll be asked to leave.

What’s included in my entry?

A race shirt, a medal, a goodie bag and camping on the farm from Saturday to Sunday.

Ownership

The Gauntlet is an event produced by Ghost Miles Events, a product of Couch Potato Run Club (Pty) Ltd. Reg: 2022/825572/07