The race starts outside Komatipoort and heads out on the Mananga Road towards the Swaziland border. This tarred section is lined with sugar cane fields with the Lebombo Mountains rising to the left. This is a distant and gentle warning of what lies ahead. After a few sedate kilometres along the Mananga Road the two fields part company and those running the 10 kilometre event turn back and enjoy the return journey to the Komati Sports Grounds. The half marathon route continues on the tar road before turning towards the Lebombo Mountains. The route first follows a section of the Kaftan, on the Defence Force Patrol Road next to the electrified border fence between South Africa and Mozambique. Then comes the time to buckle down, before you lies the infamous ‘Hell Hill’. The name says it all, a steep 650 metre hill that takes in runners and spits out walkers. It is only the very tough that manage to run this section. Will you take this challenge? Are you tough enough? This race is not finished yet, for there is another, kilometre long, nameless yet equally as challenging hill ahead. The author so names this monster ‘Big Bugger’ until challenged with something better. From the border post you collect your composure as the route heads back towards Komatipoort across the historic and scenic low water bridge over the Komati River. The organisers promise a surprise detour for both events before entering the sports grounds where the finish line awaits. At the time of writing we were warned of a possible route change, keep in touch with the organisers.

Transport is provided, at a minimal charge, from the Show Grounds and leaves 06h30 to the start of both races.