Addo Elephant Trail Run

About the Addo Elephant Trail Run

The Addo Elephant National Park is not only home to some 500 African elephants and a host of other wildlife; it is also the host of the annual Addo Elephant Trail Run. Runners from all over South Africa are invited to share in the excitement of this fun event.

There are two trail options – one is 44 kilometres long and the other is 76 kilometres. The terrain of these trails is varied, traversing mountains and valleys through the countryside to test the fitness and endurance of the runners. While the vast majority of the tracks are within the park, there are some stretches of gravel roads that have been incorporated into the run just outside its borders.

In addition to the physical challenge, the Addo Elephant Trail Run is also just plain beautiful. See the iconic Eastern Cape vegetation as you keep an eye out for the mighty elephants, leopard tortoises, flightless dung beetles, ostriches, and antelope that call this home, in addition to many stunning bird species. To add to the allure, the trail run routes include parts of the park that the public do not get to see, giving runners an exclusive peek into the stunning gems of this province.

The run includes some challenging ascents that reach a plateau, from which the landscape can be savoured, as well as a few impressive river crossings. Check points along the way offer excellent snacks and refreshments.

The top three men and top three women for each distance category will be awarded a trophy. However, every athlete that finishes the race will also be given a finisher gift in recognition of this

To avoid disappointment it is advisable to book your accommodation well in advance for this event. Visit the Addo Accommodation pages to find guest houses, hotels and self catering places to stay and for additional info about Addo which includes attractions, restaurants and things to do, see Addo Info.