A British couple have taken the top two overall places at the inaugural Ultra X South Africa ‘the MAX’, covering 330km across six stages in the Western Cape. Charlie Mason won in 33 hours 33 minutes, with Anna Lawson second overall and first woman in 34 hours 36 minutes.
The pair crossed the final finish line together after six days of racing. Mason won five of the six stages, according to organiser Ultra X.
Six stages through the Western Cape
The 19–24 October race comprised stages of 49km, 61km, 50km, 81km, 50km and 25km, with around 7,500m of climbing and temperatures ranging from 10°C to 32°C. Runners carried their own food and equipment and spent each night at a different wild camp.
Of the 55 starters, 39 completed the distance — a finish rate of approximately 71%. Ultra X said the 81km fourth stage, through the Cederberg, proved particularly demanding.
Hakan Çuhadar of Turkey finished third overall in 34 hours 48 minutes, 12 minutes behind Lawson. Britain’s Tommy Lewis was fourth after winning the final stage. Sophie McKeeman and Grace Fisher completed the women’s podium, placing eighth and ninth overall.
Applications for 2027 close on 1 November
Ultra X says applications for its 2027 South Africa event close on Sunday 1 November 2026, with 70 places remaining in a field capped at 100. Entry is by application: organisers review runners’ experience and prioritise those with multi-day or ultra-distance backgrounds, including previous Ultra X finishers. Applicants will be informed of outcomes from 2 November.
Applications and event information are available on the Ultra X South Africa event page. Full results are available through Webscorer.
Image: Illustrative trail running photograph from the 2026 Dragon’s Back Race, supplied via Ultra X, photographed by @joeljamesonphotography. It does not show the Ultra X South Africa event.
