RUNNING ON HIGH

Ultra-Trail Drakensberg is the southern hemisphere's answer to the iconic Ultra-Trail Mont Blanc: high-altitude mountain running at its most majestic.

- MIKE FINCH

The southern section of this 180-million-year-old range is the perfect setting for an event pitching itself as a true mountain running race. Just the name indicates you're in for dramatic scenery, whether you call them the Drakensberg (Afrikaans for 'Dragon Mountain') or uKhahlambha (Zulu for 'Barrier of Spears'). The range's reputation as a hiker's paradise is known throughout the world.

And besides some of southern Africa's most famous geographical landmarks, the Drakensberg is home to over 30 000 San and Bushman paintings; as a result, a large part of it is a World Heritage Site. If ever there was a place designed to challenge the Alpine peaks of France and Switzerland for pure majesty, the Drakensberg is it.

So when the spectacularly-named Spurg Flemington (a dairy farmer and trail runner, from the nearby town of Underberg) decided to follow his passions and start a mountain-running event, there was plenty to work with right on his doorstep. For a start, the Giant's Cup Trail - a 62km, five-day hike - was already an established route; and with its glorious views, grassy plains, majestic valleys and beautiful streams and pools, it was an obvious choice for an ultra-trail run.

Flemington's an enthusiastic former Ironman triathlete turned trail fanatic; he's completed multiple events including the tough SkyRun. He immediately contacted Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, who run the area, to work towards setting up the hiking route as a trail run.