Race Report: The 2023 Giant’s Cup Trail Run & Hike
The Giant’s Cup Trail is a renowned 62km hiking route in the Maloti-Drakensberg Park, a World Heritage Site famous for its breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. The trail takes its name from Hodgson’s Peaks, a large rock formation resembling an upturned giant’s cup, one of the iconic landmarks along the route. It offers a diverse range of terrain, is well marked, and features some challenging climbs and descents, as well as several river crossings.
One of the highlights of the route is the spectacular Gxalingenwa Gorge, which is filled year-round with crystal clear water from the surrounding mountains, and has some (very) refreshing pools and waterfalls available for those brave enough to take the plunge.
Hikers typically complete the Giant’s Cup Trail over five days, sleeping in huts managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife along the way. The Giant’s Cup Trail Run & Hike affords both runners and hikers the unique opportunity to run or hike either half, or the entire trail over only two days, whilst enjoying all the comforts and hospitality of the nearby Sani Pass Hotel by Premier Hotels. Runners and hikers use the hotel as their base for the weekend, and shuttles are arranged to ferry them to and from the starts and finishes back to hot showers and warm beds each day.
While the event is timed, the emphasis is on taking it easy, enjoying the social atmosphere and outdoor setting rather than rushing to the finish line each day.
Event Details:
Date: June 2-3, 2023
Location: Giant’s Cup Trail, Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa
Distances: Giant’s Cup Full 30/32km, Giant’s Cup Lite 15/12km
Registration, 1 June 2023:
Runners & hikers arrived at Premier Resort Sani Pass, and were greeted with an exceptional goodie bag, containing a beanie, running cap, technical t-shirt, and a waterproof jacket – all from The North Face. Each runner and hiker also received a personalised, locally made ceramic mug, and a blanket embroidered with the Giant’s Cup logo. Participants unpacked their bags and dressed up with glee in the lobby of the hotel.
Runners and hikers then attended a short event briefing with Race Director Spurgeon Flemington, before enjoying a relaxed dinner and heading to bed in anticipation of their first day out on the trails. Local Zulu dancers were on hand as entertainment.
Day 1: The Trail Unfolds
The morning was icy! Full distance runners and hikers were shuttled to Bushman’s Nek Hotel bright and early, and greeted with a buffet breakfast. The Lite runners and hikers enjoyed a slightly later start, and had a more leisurely breakfast at Sani Pass Hotel before traveling to Swiman Hut, the halfway point of the first day, and acted as an aid station for the Full distance participants.
Highlights of day one included perfect weather – the mornings in may be frosty, but afternoons in the Southern Berg enjoy the ‘Goldilocks effect’ – not too hot, not too cold, just right! Runners and hikers also enjoyed picture perfect views from the trails along the Garden Castle Ridge line towards Black Eagle Pass before a swift descent down to Wintershoek Hut and the finish of their first day out.
At the finish everyone was greeted with applause before grabbing a beverage (G&Ts, Maluti Lagers and Amarula coffee were the most popular choices) and relaxing near the Mzimkhulu River. As runners and hikers enjoyed a buffet lunch and home-made treats, shuttles awaited to whisk them back to hot showers and dinner at Sani Pass Hotel once they had eaten their fill and enjoyed a complimentary massage.
Day 2: Conquering Giants
Participants were greeted with an absolutely spectacular pink and purple sunrise on day two! The Full distance runners and hikers started where they had left off on day one, at Castleburn Resort. The Lite distance participants were transported to Cobham Campsite, and crossed Cobham Swing Bridge – also known as the ‘wobbly leg tester’ due to its dangling nature. The bridge is maintained by local Ezemvelo rangers, who were also manning that aid station.
Once again there was plenty to look forward to on the route, including several river crossings which afforded athletes an opportunity to cool off, and the stunning Gxalingenwa Gorge, which served as the marker to runners and hikers that they were nearing the hotel, and had only a short distance to cover before they calling themselves a Giant’s Cup Trail finisher!
The finish line was once again the place to be after day two, with a hot lunch served by the hotel, and drinks and massages on offer. A cheese and wine buffet was laid out for runners and hikers, who took the opportunity to refuel and spend time with their newfound friends.
Dinner and prize giving was a lively affair, with a few groups of athletes taking it upon themselves to make sure the weekend ended on a high note! While the event does not have a traditional podium, the first place male and female runners and the first place overall hikers are acknowledged and awarded prizes.
Closing Thoughts
The event is lucky to have a few ‘regular’ attendees, and this year was no different! Gill Lumley and her husband Frank attended their fourth Giant’s Cup to celebrate Frank’s upcoming birthday, while Ashley Frost & her son Kai enjoyed their second year in a row, with mother and son both bettering their times of the previous year.
‘Trail Queen’ Phophi Hazel Matidze thoroughly enjoyed her third Giant’s Cup experience in a row, having attended first with her husband in 2021, then with a friend in 2022, before wrangling an entire group to join her this year.
There was an almost even split between runners and hikers at the event this year, a testament to the Giant’s Cup Trail Run & Hike’s reputation of fostering a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere where you don’t have to be fast to have fun!
Congratulations to every runner and hiker who participated in 2023!
