Distance: 75KM

Elevation Change: 8000M

Elevation Gain: 3500M

Elevation Loss: 4500M

Difficulty: Extreme 9/10

Summit Zimbabwe’s highest mountain, Mt Nyangani (2593M)

25 KM’s of Downhill to the finish

100% Single Track through protected National Park conservation area

Another EPIC this time 2.0… 2023 sees the introduction of a new race that will blow your minds. 2022 saw the inaugural 100km EPIC, and what an amazing race that was. To keep things exciting and give those ultra runners the chance to take on something a bit closer to the 100km EPIC; we have decided to introduce this 75km EPIC 2.0. It will be replacing the 100km EPIC this year but you will see the 100km EPIC back next year so don’t panic. This is going to be one of the most epic ultra-marathon mountain races on the calendar. You will need to have a lot of experience and training behind you to complete this race. If you are thinking of entering the SkyRun Epic 2.0 then you will need to have a running CV and submit this with your registration form.

As this is a new race starting in 2023 we are still finalising the exact route. All you need to know is that it is a stunning trail race and will make you fall in love with Zim and trail running in this magical country.

The race will start on Saturday morning at the same time as the ULTRA. Make sure you have all of your compulsory kit as it will be checked before you start. 

As with the ultra you will start making your way down to the first valley and then your first mountain (the fun starts). Reach the top turn right and along Chikorokoto. Start heading down again into the beautiful Pungwe Gorge. You will then run all the way up the Pungwe Gorge along the magnificent Pungwe river. Start the climb out of the Gorge and onto Chikorokoto summit. Once again drop down into the Pungwe Gorge, cross the Pungwe River and begin the climb to Golden Pools.

The hardest climb faces you (just over 700 metres of height gain in a distance of 3,5km) as you make your way out of the gorge. Just when you think you are almost at golden pools there are a couple more ups and downs as you contour and eventually get to the stunning Nyazengu ridge. This section from the Pungwe crossing to Golden Pools is just over 8km in total but it is a gruelling 8km.

At Golden Pools you will find a nutrition/aid station and lots of supporters. You will be checked before you begin the next stage. 

You are now into the last 32km of the race. This section starts with a small downhill past Golden Pools (beautiful streams and pools) and then start heading up to the base of Mount Nyangani. Look up, take a deep breath and start the climb. From the base to the summit is a distance of 7km with a height gain of 800 metres. Summit Zimbabwe’s highest mountain Mt Nyangani and then run along the top for 5km to Little Nyangani (there is a slight descent along this section). Once you reach the top of Little Nyangani you begin your descent through the never-ending forest. Eventually and we mean eventually, you come out into the grassland and keep winding your way down over a few rivers past a few waterfalls and into the Spice Garden. Follow the last river down and finally out onto Aberfoyle golf course. The last 200 metres will feel like the longest part of this race but it is worth the beating drums and cold beer with your family and friends at the end.

Distance: 100KM

Elevation Change: 11000M

Elevation Gain: 5000M

Elevation Loss: 6000M

Difficulty: Extreme 10/10

Summit Zimbabwe’s highest mountain, Mt Nyangani (2593M)

25 KM’s of Downhill to the finish

100% Single Track through protected National Park conservation area

**This Race will happen every second year so 2024 will see this race again.

This is going to be one of the most epic ultra-marathon mountain races on the calendar. You will need to have a lot of experience and training behind you to complete this race. If you are thinking of entering the SkyRun Epic then you will need to have a running CV and submit this with your registration form.

As this is a new race starting in 2022 we are still finalising the exact route. All you need to know is that it is a stunning trail race and will make you fall in love with Zim and trail running in this magical country.

The race will start on Friday evening at Far and Wide. Make sure you have all of your compulsory kit as it will be checked before you start. You will have an unsupported night out in the mountains so need to be completely self-sufficient.

As with the ultra you will start making your way down to the first valley and then your first mountain (the fun starts). Reach the top turn right and along Chikorokoto. Start heading down again into the beautiful Pungwe Gorge. You will then run all the way up the Pungwe Gorge along the magnificent Pungwe river. Start the climb out of the Gorge and onto Chikorokoto summit. Once again drop down into the Pungwe Gorge, cross the Pungwe River and begin the climb to Golden Pools.

The hardest climb faces you (just over 700 metres of height gain in a distance of 3,5km) as you make your way out of the gorge. Just when you think you are almost at golden pools there are a couple more ups and downs as you contour and eventually get to the stunning Nyazengu ridge. This section from the Pungwe crossing to Golden Pools is just over 8km in total but it is a gruelling 8km.

At Golden Pools you will find a nutrition/aid station and lots of supporters. You will be checked before you begin the next stage. Turn right towards Nyazengu ridge and back down into the Gorge. Begin the trek up Nyazengu Gorge and back up towards Golden Pools. This is undoubtedly the hardest climb of your race.

You are now into the last 40km of the race. This section starts with a small downhill past Golden Pools (beautiful streams and pools) and then start heading up to the base of Mount Nyangani. Look up, take a deep breath and start the climb. From the base to the summit is a distance of 7km with a height gain of 800 metres. Summit Zimbabwe’s highest mountain Mt Nyangani and then run along the top for 5km to Little Nyangani (there is a slight descent along this section). Once you reach the top of Little Nyangani you begin your descent through the never-ending forest. Eventually and we mean eventually, you come out into the grassland and keep winding your way down over a few rivers past a few waterfalls and into the Spice Garden. Follow the last river down and finally out onto Aberfoyle golf course. The last 200 metres will feel like the longest part of this race but it is worth the beating drums and cold beer with your family and friends at the end.

Distance 56KM

Elevation Change: 6600M

Elevation Gain: 2800M

Elevation Loss: 3800M

Difficulty: Very difficult to extreme 8/10

Summit Zimbabwe’s highest mountain, Mt Nyangani (2593M)

25 KM’s of Downhill to the finish

100% Single Track through protected National Park conservation area

Start your race day bright and early with a hearty breakfast at 03:00 am. Make sure you have all of your compulsory kit as it will be checked before you start. The run starts at 04:00 am after you are given your Sportraxs tracker. A short race briefing and you are off, along the escarpment as the sun rises. Start making your way down to the first valley and then your first mountain (the fun starts). Reach the top turn right and along Chikorokoto. Start heading down again into the beautiful Pungwe Gorge. Reach the bottom and start heading upstream through the forests until you reach the confluence where you will be checked before you cross the mighty Pungwe.

The hardest climb faces you (just over 700 metres of height gain in a distance of 3,5km) as you make your way out of the Gorge. Just when you think you are almost at Golden Pools there are a couple more ups and downs as you contour and eventually get to the stunning Nyazengu Ridge. This section from the Pungwe crossing to Golden Pools is just over 8km in total but it is a gruelling 8km.

At Golden Pools you will find a nutrition/aid station and lots of supporters. You will be checked before you begin the next stage. Cut off time here is 11:30 am. If you don’t make it you will be asked to come off the trail.

Next half starts, first a small downhill past Golden Pools (beautiful streams and pools) and then start heading up to the base of the Mount Nyangani. Look up, take a deep breath and start the climb. From the base to the summit is a distance of 7km with a height gain of 800 metres. Summit Zimbabwe’s highest mountain Mt Nyangani and then run along the top for 5km to Little Nyangani (there is a slight decent along this section). Once you reach the top of Little Nyangani you begin your decent through the never ending forest. Eventually and we mean eventually you come out into the grassland and keep winding your way down over a few rivers past a few waterfalls and into the Spice Garden. Follow the last river down and finally out onto Aberfoyle golf course. The last 200 metres will feel like the longest part of this race but it is worth the beating drums and cold beer with your family and friends at the end.

Distance 32KM

Elevation Change: 3800M

Elevation Gain: 1400M

Elevation Loss: 2400M

Difficulty: Difficult 6/10

Summit Zimbabwe’s highest mountain, Mt Nyangani (2593M)

25 KM’s of Downhill to the finish

100% Single Track through protected National Park conservation area

Those that are doing the Lite  will start their race at Golden Pools and will almost immediately face the challenge of Mt Nyangani. Look up, take a deep breath and start the climb. From the base to the summit is a distance of 7km with a height gain of 800 metres. Summit Zimbabwe’s highest mountain Mt Nyangani and then run along the top for 5km to Little Nyangani (there is a slight decent along this section). Once you reach the top of Little Nyangani you begin your 25km decent starting with the never ending forest. Eventually and we mean eventually you come out into the grassland and keep winding your way down over a few rivers past a few waterfalls and into the spice garden. Follow the last river down and finally out onto Aberfoyle golf course. The last 200 metres will feel like the longest part of this race but it is worth the beating drums and cold beer with your family and friends at the end.

We look forward to welcoming you to this years SkyRun Zimbabwe.