RMB UTCT 2026 launches prestigious award for Africa’s best trail runners

As one of the premier events in the World Trail Majors, this year’s competition will introduce the RMB Pride of Africa Award, a commendation specifically designed to honour the continent’s top male and female trail runners.

With a staggering combined prize purse exceeding R800 000, the UTCT offers a variety of race distances to cater to all levels, featuring 100-miler, 100km, 55km, 35km, 23km, and 16km options.

The RMB Pride of Africa Award will recognise the first African man and woman to cross the finish line in the flagship UT100 race, with each winner receiving a masterpiece trophy crafted by renowned South African artist Robbie Rorich, along with R25 000 in cash.

This initiative is aimed at harnessing the immense potential within the continent’s talented runners, many of whom remain undiscovered.

Michael Edwards, RMB Sponsorship Marketing Lead, remarked, ‘The RMB Pride of Africa Award is all about celebrating exceptional African trail-running talent, which we believe our continent has in abundance. However, much of this promise still needs to be unearthed and developed.’

Edwards believes that with appropriate support, gifted runners can flourish and compete on international stages, further enhancing the reputation and skill of African athletes.

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This enhanced focus on African talent comes at a pivotal moment, as Cape Town gears up to host the prestigious World Athletics World Mountain and Trail Running Championships for the first time on African soil from 6 to 10 October 2027.

A host of South Africa’s finest athletes will participate, marking a significant milestone for the sport in the region.

Two remarkable South African trail runners, Sinovuyo Ngcobo and Tsielo Tsanyane, exemplify the possibilities that arise from RMB’s investment in trail running.

Both athletes, associated with the LIV2Run development programme, recently showcased their skills at the Experience Trail Courmayeur in Italy, one of the world’s leading trail running events during the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc week. The duo faced challenging alpine terrain, yet they finished impressively within the top 6% of all competitors.

Ngcobo, who will participate in the 35km event at RMB UTCT 2026, expressed the transformative experience of racing in Europe, stating, ‘What I learned there is to change my mindset to suit the course, and to adjust the level of training needed to perform on that stage.’

Meanwhile, Tsanyane noted the stark differences in European racing conditions, emphasising the competitiveness and difficulty he encountered.

Lindi Meyer, founder of LIV2Run, conveyed pride in the accomplishments of Ngcobo and Tsanyane, celebrating their resilience and the inspiration they provide to aspiring athletes within the programme. She asserted that their achievements exemplify the potential for growth in African trail running.

As the highest-paying trail running event in South Africa, RMB UTCT ensures equal prize money for male and female winners across all distances. Beyond the thrill of competition, RMB UTCT also champions responsible corporate citizenship through its dedication to conservation initiatives aimed at preserving the fragile ecosystem of the Cape Floral Kingdom.

The RMB UTCT Trail Fund supports projects like the Sugarbird Project and Sustainable Cedar.

As the road to the 2027 World Championships begins, events like RMB UTCT not only serve as qualification pathways but also inspire and empower athletes of all backgrounds, solidifying the future of trail running in Africa.

The event routinely attracts nearly 3,000 participants, with significant international representation, eager to tackle the breathtaking yet challenging terrains of the Cape Peninsula.