Historical facts of the Area

The small forestry town of Sabie is situated in the North Eastern Drakensberg Escarpment on the banks of the Sabie River in Mpumalanga(Place of the rising sun), South Africa. The name Sabie is derived from the Tsonga word "Ulusaba" which means "fearful river" because the river was once teeming with dangerous Nile crocodile.

The history of Sabie

Names such as Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, Sir Herbert Baker and Chief Lesisi line the pages of the town's historic annals, which started as a base camp for hunters and transport riders. This quickly changed when HT Glynn hit a rock while target shooting with some friends. In 1871 a diverging bullet revealed a rich gold reef, and soon the gold rush of the first commercial gold extraction had found its way to the farm Grootfontein.

While the gold that was produced secured wealth, the extraction thereof consumed much of the natural forest of the surrounding area.  In 1876, the son of Maria Shires, Joseph Brooks Shires planted the first commercial Eucalyptus and Wattle plantations on his farm Onverwacht (now Brooklands) to supply the demand for firewood and mining struts.  Today Sabie lies in the centre of one of the largest man-made forests in the world.

And now, long after the departure of the Gold Rush to the Witwatersrand (Gauteng), the trees bare testimony of bygone years.  Forestry is and will remain deeply rooted in the history and future of this town.

This is where your 200mile Mac Mac pilgrimage will start and finish!!!

Trail facts

The Mac Mac Monster is an out and back 200miler.

The first 100miles (out) is mainly self navigating and unsupported except for checkpoints up to 55km’s apart.

The second 100miles (back) will be shared with the main 100mile race and will have check points at least every 10miles.

Start: Wednesday 2 July 14h00 Merry Pebbles Sabie

Registration: Wednesday from 12h00- 12h45 Merry Pebbles Sabie

Compulsory race briefing: 12h45

Time Limit: 90 Hours

Prize Giving Brunch: 10h00 Sunday Merry Pebbles Sabie
Meal Tickets for friends and family can be bought at registration.

Distance: 55km

Ascent: 3200m | Desent: 2615m

Drop Bag Opportunities: Mac Mac Hut(55km)

Cut off: Mac Mac Hut 04h00 Thursday

Leaving all the technicalities such as kit checks & race briefings behind you in the Sabie valley you will start your epic journey climbing out of the Sabie valley up onto the escarpment.

This section consists of lot of climbing but rewarded by so many beautiful scenery and a sunset from Mount Anderson(2100m)  to die for ... please don’t ;)

Once on the escarpment most of the climbing for this section is done and moving into the night it will cool down a lot before reaching the comfort of the crew at Mac Mac Hut and your first opportunity to dig into those drop bag supplies.

Don’t use all those supplies as you can make use of this drop bag 4 times in your race.

Section Distance: 36.6km

Section Ascent:1480m | Section Decent: 1480m

Drop Bag opportunities: Mac Mac Hut(36.6km)

Cut off: Mac Mac Hut 16h00 Thursday

Section Distance: 68km

Section Ascent: 2970m | Section Decent: 3900m

Drop Bag opportunities: Mount Sheba(11.7km) & (44.5km)

Compulsory Medical Check (The Vine) has to be passed before starting back run.

Cut off: Mount Sheba 20h00 Thu (103km) & Pilgrims The Vine 12h00 Fri (161km)

Gold  was  discovered  in  1872,  six  hours  by  horse  from  Lydenburg,  by  Thomas  Mclachlan  and  partners.   

This  triggered  the  first  gold rush  in  South  Africa  and  diggers  from  all  over  started  to  flock  to  what  later  became  Mac-Mac.    Alex  “wheelbarrow”  Patterson  left  Mac-Mac to prospect and in September 1873 discovered the rich gold deposits in the Pilgrim’s Creek.

The quaint old gold mining town of Pilgrim's Rest is the starting point of your epic journey.

The history of gold mining operations in the Pilgrim's Rest area goes back more than 160 years to the 1840's. The gold rush began in 1873 when the Lydenburg magistrate advised the Transvaal Volksraad that gold had been discovered in the streams.

Hundreds of diggers from as far afield as Australia, America, England and France flocked to the gold-fields to make their fortune.

The trail passes many relics from these early days of mining as one climbs away from the start of the trail.

Section Distance: 68km

Section Ascent: 3900m | Section Decent: 2970m

Technicality:

Moderately steep climb at start, from there on, rolling hills to the finish. Open grassland escarpment running over boulder fields, as well as some forest sections with beautiful soft undergrowth. Some Rocky single track trail.

Scenery:

Lush indigenous Forest down below and Boulder fields on the escarpment with Clivia forests at lower altitudes. Beautiful views looking down the escarpment over the Lush Lowveld.  Breathtaking views of the Crystal Springs Nature Reserve.

Fauna And Flaura:

 Massive Indigenous trees.  Endangered High altitude Grassland. Wild flowers with indigenous ferns and clivias. Wildlife such as Bushbuck , Duiker , Reedbuck, warthog, bush pig and Baboons. Keep your eyes open for the beautiful birdlife that can be spotted in the lush forests. The Purple Crested Turaco is a bird that should not be overlooked, as it’s colours are as vibrant as the Lowveld itself! With a bit of luck Fish Eagle spotting’s can also occur now and then.

Distance: 13.5km

Ascent: 780m | Descent: 360m

Spector Point: Yes – Mount Sheba

Cut off: No

Drop bag: Yes

Mount Sheba Resort is the 100milers first checkpoint and also a spectators point. Great place for your supporters to settle in and wait for your return later on. 

Distance: 15.1km

Ascent: 1000m | Descent: 1055m

Spector Point: Yes – Morgenzon

Cut off: No

Drop bag: No

A little ‘climb/hill/koppie’ out from Mount Sheba Resort through a beautiful rain forest.

Trail makes a turn on the escarpment with Pilgrims in the distance.

Descending through some old plantations to join a small peace of trail on grassland hills leading to Morgenzon Aids Station. 

Distance: 13.4km

Ascent: 990m | Descent: 990m

Spector Point:Yes - Morgenzon 

Cut off: Yes 24h00 Friday

Drop bag: No

From Morgenzon forest station runner first cross Clewer stream joining the old Robbers Pass, an old trade route to Pilgrim’s Rest from Lydenburg.

Descending to Clewer Falls before a steep climb in a beautiful indigenous forest with a crystal clear stream, lots of Clivias and Ferns , until it joins up with the old wagon path.

Another decent into the valley before climbing past some waterfalls. 

Fast section on plantation roads dropping back to Morgenzon Checkpoint.

Distance: 16km

Ascent: 720m | Descent: 670m

Spector Point: Yes - Mount Sheba

Cut off: Yes Saturday morning 02h00 Mount Sheba

Drop bag: Yes Mount Sheba

This is an exiting new section to the 100 and 200 miler.

A steady climb trough Pine plantation to get to the top of the escarpment. 

Most runners will reach this section at dusk for a spectacular first sunset.

After some running on the escarpment you start descending slowly into a valley passing rock formations that looks like Mount Sheba’s own Lost City.

The trail joins a small stretch of tar road dropping into Mount Sheba Hotel and Resort for the Mozambique Party Checkpoint .

Mac Mac Hut: 

Distance: 11.7km

Ascent: 400m | Descent: 490m

Spector Point: No

Cut off: No

Drop bag: Yes Mac Mac Hut 3rd time

A short single track section trough Mount Sheba’s Rain Forests and down into the Blyde river valley.

This section connects the Prospectors trail with the Fanie Botha Trail.

Nice flowing forestry road takes you back to Mac Mac Hut for the third time.

Although it is a runnable road, the steady climb hampers running at a fast pace and that last couple of km's you just cant get to that spotlight at Mac Mac.

Graskop Hut: 

Distance: 13.9 km

Ascent: 400m | Descent: 580m

Spector Point: No

Cut off: No

Drop bag: No

After sampling all Ouma’s stash in your drop bag you will head out on an old section of the Fanie Botha hiking trail not in use anymore towards Graskop.

This section starts with some forestry road leading into a single track climb into the open with a view of Graskop and Gods window in the distance.

Dropping down towards Graskop you must take caution crossing the Pilgrims/Graskop/Sabie road. A short forest run and you’re at Graskop Hut were the 50milers will join the trail at 06h00 Saturday.

Distance: 12.8km

Ascent: 600m

Descent: 650m

Spector Point: Yes – Mac Mac Pools

Graskop is a small town in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. It was set up in the 1880s as a gold mining camp but it now serves as a tourist destination and the timber industry. The name is Afrikaans for grassy hillock. “God’s Window”, a scenic view from the escarpment of the Lowveld below, is located outside the town.

Graskop is 14 km south-east of Pilgrim's Rest and 28 km north of Sabie. It was laid out between 1880 and 1890 on a farm belonging to Abel Erasmus, Native Commissioner of the Transvaal Republic. Named after a grassy hillock (Afrikaans gras, ‘grass’, kop, ‘hillock’).

Originally it was a mining camp. It is the best place to view the "Edge of the Lowveld", with a sudden drop of 700m

The first 8km will be a combination of free-flowing jeep and single track, to get the legs warmed up nicely, before a big drop into an amazing indigenous forest.

At the bottom of the valley you will cross the Mac Mac river and start your climb, false summit after false summit, up to Mac Mac pools check point.

Mac Mac Hut: 

Distance: 9.9km

Ascent: 480m

Descent: 245m

Spectator point: No

Drop bag: Yes 4th time

After a refreshing stop and seeing your supporters you will make your way down to Mac Mac falls.

The 65 m high Mac Mac Falls, in the Mac Mac River, is a declared National Monument. This waterfall was originally a single stream, but gold miners blasted it with dynamite to divert the river in an attempt to work the rich gold-bearing reef over which it plunges.

A short 7.5km through plantations and a steep single track forest section will bring you to the next Aid Station at Mac Mac hut.

Distance: 16.3 km

Ascent: 1020m

Descent: 831m

Spectator point: No

Cut off: 20h00 Saturday

Compulsory Medical Check has to be passed

If you thought you’re on top and done climbing think again this section has the most ascents on the route.

At Mac Mac hut you will continue you’re really nice single-track climb. Weather depending, you should have spectacular views of the Graskop escarpment and Gods Window.

Up and over you will descent into the Tweefontein valley with a small river, rock pool and waterfall. The trail ascends up the ridge line overlooking beautiful Sabie valley.

Once on the ridge line you will have the amazing view of Mount Moody, at that point you will ask yourself, are we going over that mountain? Once over the mountain you will join an easy rocky runnable jeep track that ends with the Stables checkpoint.

Anderson Split:

Distance: 14.9km

Ascent: 735m

Descent: 617m

Spectator point: No

Cut off: No

After the party at Stables, up a short jeep track section that sends you down a spectacular single track that leads on to Hartebeesvlakte.

This is truly one of the world’s hidden beauties.  Here you should keep your eyes open for Hartebees, White-tailed gnus, Burchell’s Zebras, Blesbok and perhaps a Leopard if you are lucky.  

Once over the Hartebeesvlakte you will then pass close to the summit of Mount Anderson via jeep track that peaks at an altitude of 2284 Meters, then around to the top of the escarpment.

Maritzbos:

Distance: 6.2km

Ascent: 290m

Descent: 900m

Spectator point: No

Cut Off: 05h00 Sunday

Now we are getting to the business end of things, you should welcome some downhill.  

Some call it the Towerbos or Magic Forest others call it Pain forest or even Tokolosh bos.

A super steep slippery wet descent to Maritzbos that never ends. Some will also go down there in the dark.

This section is a real gem of 6km indigenous forest, rivers, rockpools and the most spectacular waterfalls. You will cross several streams on slippery wooden bridges.

The final stretch flattens out till you get to the Party at Maritzbos aid station

Ceylon Hut:

Distance: 8.7 km

Ascent: 250m

Descent: 466m

Spectator point: Yes - Ceylon Hut

Cut Off: 08h00

The first section between Maritzbos and the Ceylon Hut is a runnable 8.7 km jeep track section with one or two climbs to negotiate.

At Ceylon hut you can almost see the end, and this is where you are going to start swearing at the RD ...

Merry Pebbles: 

Distance: 9.5km

Ascent: 320m

Descent: 380m

Spectator point: Yes - The FINISH LINE!

Cut Off: 08h00 Sunday

This is a real tester for the mind training you have done over the past year.

Steady jeep tracks climb to the top of the “The Why the F” koppie, aka Frikkies Folly.

A really spectacular descent on a MTB single track brings you to the bottom were you will follow the Sabie river, one more river crossing and a cold Sabie Brewery beer awaits you at the finish.

Start: Friday 4 July 12h00 The Vine Pilgrims Rest

Registration: Thursday from 15h00- 19h00 Merry Pebbles Sabie

Compulsory race briefing: 11h00

Time Limit: 44 Hours

Distance: 68km

Ascent: 3900m | Descent: 2970m

Technicality:

Moderately steep climb at start, from there on, rolling hills to the finish. Open grassland escarpment running over boulder fields, as well as some forest sections with beautiful soft undergrowth. Some Rocky single track trail.

Scenery:

Lush indigenous Forest down below and Boulder fields on the escarpment with Clivia forests at lower altitudes. Beautiful views looking down the escarpment over the Lush Lowveld.  Breathtaking views of the Crystal Springs Nature Reserve.

Fauna And Flaura:

Massive Indigenous trees.  Endangered High altitude Grassland. Wild flowers with indigenous ferns and clivias. Wildlife such as Bushbuck , Duiker , Reedbuck, warthog, bush pig and Baboons. Keep your eyes open for the beautiful birdlife that can be spotted in the lush forests. The Purple Crested Turaco is a bird that should not be overlooked, as it’s colours are as vibrant as the Lowveld itself! With a bit of luck Fish Eagle spotting’s can also occur now and then.

Distance: 13.5km

Ascent: 780m | Descent: 360m

Spector Point: Yes – Mount Sheba

Cut off: No

Drop bag: No

 A truly unique start to your 100Miles: A neutral zone run, joined by family and friends, from Down Town Pilgrims to Upper Town Pilgrims and back(+-2km).

Experience the town of Pilgrims and its people, sending you off on your adventure.

Back at The Vine it is a small climb out of town then dropping down and crossing the Blyde river were your ascent starts on some plantation roads and before you know it you are in the indigenous rain forest of Mount Sheba.

Mount Sheba Resort is your first checkpoint and also a spectators point. Great place for your supporters to settle in and wait for your return later on. 

Distance: 15.1km

Ascent: 1000m | Descent: 1055m

Spector Point: Yes – Morgenzon

Cut off: No

Drop bag: No

A little ‘climb/hill/koppie’ out from Mount Sheba Resort through a beautiful rain forest.

Trail makes a turn on the escarpment with Pilgrims in the distance.

Descending through some old plantations to join a small peace of trail on grassland hills leading to Morgenzon Aids Station. 

Distance: 13.4km

Ascent: 990m | Descent: 990m

Spector Point:Yes - Morgenzon 

Cut off: Yes 24h00 Friday

Drop bag: No

From Morgenzon forest station runner first cross Clewer stream joining the old Robbers Pass, an old trade route to Pilgrim’s Rest from Lydenburg.

Descending to Clewer Falls before a steep climb in a beautiful indigenous forest with a crystal clear stream, lots of Clivias and Ferns , until it joins up with the old wagon path.

Another decent into the valley before climbing past some waterfalls. 

Fast section on plantation roads dropping back to Morgenzon Checkpoint.

Distance: 16km

Ascent: 720m | Descent: 670m

Spector Point: Yes - Mount Sheba

Cut off: Yes Saturday morning 02h00

Drop bag: No

This is an exiting new section to the 100 and 200 miler.

A steady climb trough Pine plantation to get to the top of the escarpment. 

Most runners will reach this section at dusk for a spectacular first sunset.

After some running on the escarpment you start descending slowly into a valley passing rock formations that looks like Mount Sheba’s own Lost City.

The trail joins a small stretch of tar road dropping into Mount Sheba Hotel and Resort for the Mexican Party Checkpoint .

Distance: 11.7km

Ascent: 400m | Descent: 490m

Spector Point: No

Cut off: No

Drop bag: Yes – First Time

A short single track section trough Mount Sheba’s Rain Forests and down into the Blyde river valley.

This section connects the Prospectors trail with the Fanie Botha Trail.

Nice flowing forestry road takes you to Mac Mac Hut for the first time.

Although it is a runnable road, the steady climb hampers running at a fast pace.

Distance: 13.9 km

Ascent: 400m | Descent: 580m

Spector Point: No

Cut off: 16h00 Saturday

Drop bag: No

After sampling all Ouma’s stash in your drop bag you will head out on an old section of the Fanie Botha hiking trail not in use anymore towards Graskop.

This section starts with some forestry road leading into a single track climb into the open with a view of Graskop and Gods window in the distance.

Dropping down towards Graskop you must take caution crossing the Pilgrims/Graskop/Sabie road. A short forest run and you’re at Graskop Hut were the 50milers will have their start at 05h00 Saturday.

Distance: 12.8km

Ascent: 600m

Descent: 650m

Spector Point: Yes – Mac Mac Pools