CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Thursday 25 September 2025 – RMB Ultra Trail Cape Town (RMB UTCT) has announced a substantial 50% increase in prize money for its 2025 edition, elevating the total prize purse from R502,500 to R755,500. The announcement establishes RMB UTCT as having the highest total prize purse for trail running in South Africa, reinforcing its position as one of the continent's most prestigious ultra-marathon competitions.
South Africa's premier trail running event sets a new benchmark with the country's highest total prize purse.
Scheduled for 21-23 November 2025, this year's edition will feature equal prize money for both male and female winners across five race distances, maintaining the event's progressive commitment to gender equality in sport. The 100-miler winner will receive R80,000 each, whilst the 100km champion will claim R75,000 each, representing significant increases from previous years.
"This is more than just prize money, it's a recognition of what it takes to compete at the highest level," said Stuart McConnachie, RMB UTCT Race Director. "Elite runners dedicate years of training and sacrifice, and this increase is our way of honoring that commitment. By offering the biggest prize purse in South African trail running, RMB UTCT sets a new benchmark for the sport on the continent."
International Prestige and World Trail Majors Status
Since its founding in 2014, RMB UTC has evolved from a single vision to become one of the globe's most significant ultra-marathon competitions. The event now forms part of the prestigious World Trail Majors series, positioning it alongside the world's most coveted trail running events.
The race attracts approximately 2,800 runners annually across six distance options, with 35% of participants traveling from 55+ countries. International contingents arrive from France, Great Britain, the United States, Germany, and Italy, demonstrating the global appeal and Cape Town's status as a premier trail running destination.
As the final race of the World Trail Majors series, RMB UTCT also determines the overall series winners who compete for an additional €47,000 in prize money, with equal distribution between male and female categories.
Substantial Economic Impact
The event generates an estimated R150 million annually for the local economy, extending far beyond race weekend through accommodation, dining, and tourism activities. The substantial international participation, with over 1,000 international runners and 400+ international visitors recorded for recent editions alone, creates significant benefits for Cape Town's hospitality, transport, retail, and tourism sectors.
"For years we've played host to some of the best international and domestic trail running talent at RMB UTCT," said Michael Edwards, RMB Sponsorships Marketing Lead. "This will ensure we continue to attract top international runners and further incentivise our local talent to compete against the very best in the world."
Remarkable Growth Trajectory
The event's growth has been extraordinary since its inception. From just 16 runners finishing the inaugural 100km race in 2014 within the 15-hour cut-off, the event now attracts 2,800 participants across all distances, one of the most successful expansions in African trail running history.
The race offers six distances catering to different abilities: the flagship UTCT 100-miler (164km), UT100, PT55 (Peninsula Traverse), TM35 (Table Mountain race), EX23 (Explorer distance), and KS16 (Kickstarter entry-level race).
Environmental Stewardship and Conservation
RMB UTCT demonstrates an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, offering runners the opportunity to immerse themselves in the pristine natural environment of the Cape Peninsula whilst raising awareness about conservation. The event supports Table Mountain and SANParks Honorary Rangers conservation programs, ensuring trails remain accessible for future generations.
"Our commitments in trail running go beyond the race," Edwards explained. "We're proud to partner with the Trail Fund and associated race beneficiaries to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the trail network and our environmental heritage."
Title Sponsorship Partnership
RMB became the title sponsor in 2022, transforming the event's scope and possibilities. The partnership extends beyond financial support to encompass talent development and trail preservation initiatives, including collaboration with LIV2Run to support disadvantaged communities across South Africa.
"This step would not be possible without the backing of our title sponsor, RMB," McConnachie noted."Their commitment to excellence and their belief in the growth of trail running have been instrumental in raising the prestige of this event."
The race's unique setting within Table Mountain National Park, combined with its proximity to Cape Town, offers what McConnachie describes as "so much more than simply a trail run, it's a bucket list experience which attracts participants from all over the world."
RMB UTCT continues to showcase South Africa's natural beauty and trail running culture to an international audience whilst maintaining its commitment to sustainable growth and environmental conservation.
