# Ultra-Trail Cape Town 2026 Guide

> US runners can qualify for Western States 2028 by finishing Ultra-Trail Cape Town 2026 within set times.
- Title: Ultra-Trail Cape Town 2026 Guide · The Rio Times | Shortify
- Summary: US runners can qualify for Western States 2028 by finishing Ultra-Trail Cape Town 2026 within set times. US runners finishing Ultra-Trail Cape Town 100 km in…
- Keywords: ultra-trail cape town, western states, 2026, trail running, cape town, table mountain, south africa, 100 km, 100 miles, qualifying race, news, world
- Source: The Rio Times — https://riotimesonline.com/ultra-trail-cape-town-guide-2026
- Author: Mateo Cruz
- Published: 2026-10-15T13:48:30+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: ultra-trail cape town, western states, 2026, trail running, cape town, table mountain, south africa, 100 km, 100 miles, qualifying race, news, world
## When does Ultra-Trail Cape Town run?
The race runs from Friday, 20 November to Sunday, 22 November 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa.
## Where does it take place?
All six races finish at Gardens Rugby Football Club in Oranjezicht, below Table Mountain, crossing Table Mountain National Park and the Cape Peninsula.
## When do the races start?
The 100-mile race starts on Friday at 5 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET). The 100 km race starts on Saturday at 4 a.m. local time (9 p.m. ET Friday).
## How many races and what are their distances?
The organiser stages six races from 16 km to 100 miles, all finishing at Gardens Rugby Football Club in Cape Town.
## What are the entry prices?
The 100 km entry costs about US$331 (R5,495) and the 100-mile entry about US$392 (R6,495). Shorter races cost from US$66 (R1,095) to US$245 (R4,055).
## What does it mean for US runners?
Finishing the 100 km in 21 hours or 100 miles in 45 hours qualifies runners for the 2028 Western States Endurance Run.
## Who has won recently?
Jeff Mogavero of the United States won the 2025 UT100 in 11 hours, 4 minutes and 53 seconds, beating Dmitry Mityaev by 31 seconds.
## How many runners participate?
The 2025 edition drew 2,800 runners from 66 countries, according to IOL.
## What is the Western States qualification?
The Western States Endurance Run lists both the Cape Town 100 km and 100-mile races as qualifiers for its 2028 race.
## What are the qualifying times?
The 100 km must be finished in 21 hours or the 100 miles in 45 hours to qualify for Western States 2028.
## What is the prize money?
The 100-mile winner receives R80,000 (about US$4,825) and the UT100 winner R75,000 (about US$4,524).
## When is registration open?
Registration and the race expo open on Thursday, 19 November at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
## What are the deadlines?
Refunds and substitutions close at midday on 28 October, with the 100-mile qualifier deadline also ending then.
## How can US fans watch?
No US television broadcast or live stream had been announced by 15 October, but runners' progress appears on live tracking.
## What is the race course like?
The courses cross Table Mountain National Park and the Cape Peninsula with steep, technical trails.
## What is the weather like?
Weather on the mountain can swing sharply, with single-digit Celsius mornings and afternoons above 30°C (86°F).
## Key takeaway

US runners finishing Ultra-Trail Cape Town 100 km in 21 hours or 100 miles in 45 hours qualify for Western States 2028.