Chase the Dawn

Guided overnight TRAIL RUN or HIKE

Adventure with

Chase the Dawn, sponsored by Hi-Tec, is a truly unique through-the-night trail adventure across Table Mountain National Park. With a trail running or a hiking option, there is a distance and pace for everyone brave enough to tackle this bucket list experience under the stars and high above a sleeping Cape Town.

Next event date: 29th March 2025

Options include:

~ fully guided 42km trail run or

~ fully guided 42km OR 25km hike (walking groups)

Entries close 1 week before each Chase the Dawn event. Remember, this is not a race! It's a fully guided adventure.

Chase the Dawn is proudly sponsored by

Join either the fully guided 42km marathon distance night trail run, or choose between the 42km or 25km hike option. All routes are lead by our awesome certified guides and each group is kept together at a pace that works for everyone.

With breathtaking views of the city lights below, this unforgettable experience will push your limits and leave you with memories to last a lifetime!

Starting and finishing at the Gardens Rugby Club, venture out across the mountains, up and over the top to wind your way down to a warm breakfast bun at sunrise. Bask in the satisfaction of completing the only fully guided through-the-night trail adventure sanctioned by SANParks operating in Table Mountain National Park.

Grab some awesome Hi-Tec kit to keep you warm and comfortable using this discount code: CTD2025

Light up the night with a Black Diamond headlamp - the best on the market. Click HERE and use discount code NyatiX15 for 15% off!

42km trail run OR Hike

Pricing ~ R1,450pp includes:

Permits
Experienced Guides (2 per group) with satellite-enabled tracking
Medics on standby
Ground support crew
2 rehydration / fuel stops
Dinner at midnight support point
Breakfast bun at finish

25km Hike

Pricing ~R1,300pp includes:

Permits
Experienced Guides (2 per group) with satellite-enabled tracking
Medics on standby
Ground support crew
2 rehydration / fuel stops
Breakfast bun at finish

What to pack (minimum packing list)

1 x Backpack (Min 5litre with capacity for 2.5 litres of water plus personal snacks/nutrition.
1 x Emergency whistle
1 x Space blanket
1 x Plastic emergency poncho
1 x Headlamp with spare batteries
Appropriate clothing
- Windproof layer
- Waterproof layer
- Gloves
- Beanie/Buffs
- Trail running shoes or Hiking boots (Walk only)
- Personal medication with instructions (if relevant)

A fully comprehensive list will be provided closer to departure.

Leave No Trace and safety principles

Nyati-X follows the Leave No Trace principles (LNT) and this extends to all those who join us on our adventures. We do this because it

Protects the environment for you and future generations
Improves your experience - An unspoiled area allows for a richer and improved experience for everyone.
Following the laws and rules ensures the sustainability of the resources

FAQs

- What is Chase the Dawn?

It's a fully guided overnight trail running adventure designed and delivered by certified Adventure and Mountain Guides. We'll be journeying across Table Mountain National Park from sundown to sunrise (look forward to a hot breakfast bun at dawn!).

- Can I see the route map and profile?

Absolutely - drop us a DM and we'll share it. We prefer not to have it up on the site for safety reasons.

- I see SANParks logo? What is that about?

Chase the Dawn is the only sanctioned fully guided overnight trail adventure allowed to operate on Table Mountain.

- I'm not a pro trail runner, am I fit enough to do this?

If you can run 10km, and walk/hike 5-6 hours you are likely fit enough to do this. However, if you're worried, we can give you a personalised training plan to make sure your body is up to the challenge. You'll have to bring the mindset. There is a generic 8 week plan available for download on booking.

- Will I finish, what if I can't keep up?

Unless you twist an ankle, you can finish! This is not a race, it's an adventure... Both the running and hiking groups move only as fast as the slowest person with no pressure to go faster than you're comfortable. While this is a "challenge" - it's supposed to be fun. Having said that, there are "get off points" at the fuel stops where you can stop if you really would prefer not to continue.

- If I join the running group, do I have to run all the way, what about pace?

No! This is a chilled trail run where the group will generally hike many of the the 'ups' and run the beautiful flats and downs. The group will aim to move at approximately 3.5km/ph - on average a fast walking pace over the entire course.

- What equipment do I need?

You'll need trail shoes, a headlamp, hydration pack (with snacks and water), a space blanket and crepe bandage, plus a waterproof layer and emergency poncho incase the weather turns wet. We will send you a full packing list with your Briefing Doc closer to the Adventure.

- What about food and hydration during the adventure?

For the runners and the 42km hiking group, we'll provide a midnight meal. There will be two fuel stops for everyone to grab and top-up on their favourite snacks, with a warm breakfast provided for everyone at the finish point

- What about logistics, where do I leave my car?

We are starting and ending at the Gardens Rugby Club where your vehicle will be securely guarded all night while you adventure with us.

- Is it safe to be on the mountains at night?

We'll be accompanied by trained guides with satellite communication with emergency SOS functionality and GPS locations automatically sent the the Ground Crew at 10 minute intervals. We have a front runner who will scout ahead of the first group to ensure the trails are clear. We monitor the weather on an ongoing basis. We have mapped a route avoiding high risk areas with an emergency plan in place should conditions change.