16km Forest Fun

Run a fast and flowing race or spend a good morning out just trotting the trails.

16km / 640m elev gain / 640m elev loss / Record 1hr 25min

Sat 26 April 2025 - 09h00

The Hobbit 16km Forest Fun has a bit of everything - from singletrack paths through indigenous forest, waterfalls, great views of the Hog mountain, uphills (oh yes!), contour tracks through the plantations and glorious downhills for the speedsters.
This route suits experienced trail runners and newbies stepping it up a notch.

Good to Know

  • It’s actually closer to 17km!

  • Record times:
    1hr 25 Male Jonathan Benjamin 2021
    1hr 40 Female Jessica Pollock 2022

  • 1 Watertable at 9km stocked with electrolyte hydration, ButtaNutt products, fresh, seasonal fruit and biscuits

  • Route is well marked

  • There are checkpoints

  • See previous results  

  • A kilometre of dirt road allows the field to spread out before diving into the indigenous forest that passes the Big Tree and Madonna Falls.


    Up and up through the pine plantations to the well stocked watertable roughly halfway. From here the legs stretch out on jeep tracks contouring around the valleys before plunging down to Kettlespout Falls and back into lush forest again all the way back to the Finish.

  • Thursday 24 April 2025

    17h00 – 19h00 90km Hobbit Journey Registration and briefing

    Friday 25 April 2025

    06h00 90km Hobbit Journey Start at Maden Dam

    Saturday 26 April 2025

    05h00 90km Hobbit Journey Start at Cata Hut
    06h00 Registration opens Arminel Hotel
    07h00 42km Mountain Marathon Start
    09h00 16km Forest Fun Start
    10h00 5km Fun Start
    Prize-giving once most participants of each race have finished
    19h00 – 90km Hobbit Journey Prize-giving at Arminel

    Sunday 27 April 2025

    06h30 Registration opens Arminel Hotel
    08h00 21km Half Start
    09h00 10km Start
    10h00 5km Start
    Prize-giving once most participants of each race have finished

  • Click here for compulsory kit list

16km Entry fee: R350
(incl VAT)

20% Discount *
when you pair with any of
Friday race - 8km night run
or Sunday’s races - 21km /10km /5km

*until 31 Jan 2025. Enter online for two or more races for the same person.
Online entries close at 18h00 on Wednesday, 23rd April
Late entries will be available on the morning for all races with a R50 added fee.