Fri 12 – Mon 15 March 2027  ·  Near Vaalwater, Waterberg

24 Rivers

Backyard Ultra

Camping Friday 12th to Monday 15th  ·  Run starts Saturday 13th  ·  Last runner standing

6.7 km Per Loop
2 Alternating Loops
100 Runner Spots
∞ Last One Standing

The Venue

History & Bushveld Beauty

Base camp centres on a beautifully preserved 1910 clay-and-dung farmhouse — one of the last of its kind still standing in the Waterberg.

The campsite is electricity-free — no plug points or floodlights, just firelight and stars. Charging points and a Wi-Fi zone are on hand if you need them, hot water comes from a wood-burning boiler, the campfire burns 24/7 and there's plenty of firewood.

Bring your own tent and food to braai — coals provided. Farm breakfasts and a spit braai available as optional catered meals. Cold drinks on sale. Explore the farmhouse, sit on the stoep with a beer overlooking the Waterberg. An art studio, a Herbert Baker stone church, and a traditional Northern Sotho village sit just a couple of hundred metres from base camp. Horse riding, star shows and game drives available as optional extras.

Come for the run. Stay for the stoep, the stars, and the serenity of the Bushveld.

The farmhouse stoep
Farmhouse interior
The Farmhouse Interior Original 1910 fittings, open fireplace, a century of history on the walls.
General Louis Botha's ox wagon
General Louis Botha's Ox Wagon The personal ox wagon of General Louis Botha.
Rose arch in the farmhouse garden
The Garden Rose arches and rustic fencing around the old farmhouse.
Herbert Baker church
Herbert Baker Church A stone-and-thatch church designed by Sir Herbert Baker — on the farm itself.
Thatched lapa
Thatched Lapa Outdoor dining and gathering area at base camp.

The Course

Two Loops · One Wild Farm

Two 6.7 km loops across five terrains, so no two kilometres feel the same: open bushveld, shady gum forest, a path along the river, rolling grassland and reed-fringed wetland.

Open bushveld on the course

Course

Two 6.7 km Loops

Gum Forest & Dam  ·  Church Camp

Wildlife · Seasonal stream · Lily-pad dam · Big African skies

Loop 1 — Gum Forest & Dam
Loop 1

Gum Forest, Stream & Dam

Winds through a shady gum forest, crosses a rocky seasonal stream, and skirts a beautiful lily-pad dam. Shaded, atmospheric, and alive with birdlife.

Loop 2 — Church Camp
Loop 2

Church Camp

Up into the church camp, down animal tracks through classic Waterberg bushveld, and around the Herbert Baker stone church. Watch for warthog and duiker.

Race Format

Classic Backyard Ultra

⏱

Start on the Hour

Every loop starts on the hour, every hour. Miss the start and you're out.

↺

Alternate Loops

Odd loops: Gum Forest & Dam. Even loops: Church Camp.

◆

Last One Standing

The sole finisher — last to complete a loop after all others stop — wins.

10 loops = 67 km  ·  24 loops = 100 miles  ·  30 loops = 200 km Even a single loop is a finish. Open to all levels and abilities.

After Dark

Under the Waterberg Stars

The sun drops behind the trees, and the Waterberg's night skies come out — dark and startlingly clear, far from city lights. On a clear night the Milky Way, the Southern Cross and the Magellanic Clouds hang overhead — the backdrop to every night loop.

The bush has its own soundtrack after dark: owls calling, black-backed jackals yipping, and the sharp bark of bushbuck in the trees.

In mid-March the crescent Moon sets before midnight, leaving properly dark skies for the small hours. Switch off your headlamp at the start corral, listen, and look up.

Sunset through the trees at 24 Rivers
Sunset through the acacias at 24 Rivers

Accommodation

Where to Stay

Bring Your Own Tent

Pitch your tent in one of the campsites around the farmhouse — 3 nights, Friday to Monday, included with your entry.

Plenty of firewood is provided for your own fire in the stone fire rings at the campsites — or come and congregate around the communal campfire, which will be burning 24/7.

Campfire under the lapa at dusk

Or Upgrade to a Thatched Cottage

Prefer a bed to a tent? Upgrade to one of the farm's thatched cottages and rondavels — stone and clay walls, cool thatched roofs, proper beds, and a short stroll to base camp and the fire.

+R1,500 per person sharing for the whole weekend (Fri 12 – Mon 15 March, 3 nights), on top of your camping or run entry.

Only 5 cottages, bedding included — first come, first served. Tick the cottage option on the entry form and we'll be in touch.

Stone cottage with thatched veranda
Thatched clay rondavel
Thatched Rondavels Traditional clay-walled rondavels set in the garden.
Double bed in a cottage
Double Rooms Under Thatch Comfortable double beds — bedding included.
En-suite shower under a thatched roof
En-suite Bathrooms Some cottages have their own shower and toilet.

Entry & Costs

Get Involved

Places are held in order of entry and confirmed on payment. Catered meals and other extras are priced and invoiced separately. Any surplus goes toward maintaining and preserving the historic farmhouse.

Run Entry

R1,500

per runner

Includes 3 nights' camping

  • BYU race entry
  • 3 nights camping (Fri–Mon) — no extra camping fee
  • Medical & safety coverage
  • Aid station support
  • Route markings & sweep
  • Event T-shirt

Cottage Upgrade

+R1,500

per person sharing · Fri 12 – Mon 15 Mar

  • A bed in a thatched cottage, bedding included
  • 3 nights instead of camping
  • Add to camping or run entry
  • Only 5 cottages — first come, first served

Supporters Camping

R600

per non-runner, adults & children · Fri 12 – Mon 15 Mar

  • No separate entry — add them to your runner entry
  • 3 nights on the farm (Fri–Mon)
  • Campfire, braai coals & firewood
  • Hot showers (wood-fired boiler)
  • Farmhouse & grounds access

Maximum 100 runners  ·  First come, first served  ·  Enter early  ·  Terms & Conditions

Entry form QR code

Enter Now — 100 Places Only

Entries are capped at 100 runners, first come, first served. Every runner gets an event T-shirt. Tick any extras you're interested in — cottage, catered meals, game drives, horse riding, star shows — and we'll contact you with details and prices. No commitment on extras now.

Enter Now

Questions? Email james@24rivers.com

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-yJUwzmbbJx33DVW9XmsOP0JhiwsDueb75hJUotHPQoK6nw/viewform

Beyond the Loop

When You're Not Running

There's plenty to do on the farm, whether you're crewing, waiting for your runner or already out of the race: swim in the dam, walk along the river, head out on walks in the bush, visit the art studio, explore the historic farmhouse, and have a drink on the stoep as the sun goes down.

Swimming in the dam

Swim in the Dam

Cool off in the lily-pad dam after your race — or while you wait for your runner.

The river path

River & Bush Walks

Follow the river path or wander the bush tracks — look out for bushbuck, duiker and warthog.

Painted houses in the Northern Sotho village

Art Studio & Sotho Village

Visit the art studio and the traditional Northern Sotho village — both on the farm itself.

Sunset through the garden arch

Farmhouse & Stoep

Explore the historic 1910 farmhouse, then a cold drink in a wicker chair on the stoep.

Optional Extras

Game Drives, Horse Rides & Star Shows

Hosted on a neighbouring farm — ideal for crews, families and runners once they're out of the race. Tick what interests you on the entry form; we'll contact you with details and prices. No commitment needed now.

Game drive vehicle with zebra
Game Drives Open-vehicle drives with a guide — sunset sessions Fri & Sun.
Horse riders among giraffe
Horse Riding Ride out among giraffe — beginner-friendly, small groups.
Star Shows A guided tour of the southern night sky by renowned physicist Dr Phil Calcott.

Logistics & Camp Life

What to Expect

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Bring Your Own Tent

Camp on the farm grounds beneath Waterberg skies. Proper bush camp — bring everything you need. No pets, please.

🔥

Braai & Campfire

Bring your own food to braai — coals provided and plenty of firewood. Communal campfire burns 24/7.

🍖

Catered Meals (Optional)

Farm breakfasts and a Saturday spit braai — tick on the entry form; prices to follow.

🚿

Hot Showers

Hot water from a wood-burning boiler — a proper hot shower after a night loop.

⚡

Electricity-Free Camp

No power at the campsite. Charging points and a Wi-Fi zone are available if you need them.

🏥

Medical & Safety

Professional medical cover and a dedicated safety officer on site throughout the event.

Getting There 24 Rivers is about 20 km from Vaalwater — roughly 3–3½ hours' drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria. Bring your own car, or tick the shuttle option on the entry form: we'll run a shuttle from Joburg/Pretoria if there's enough interest.

Contact

Get in Touch

Questions about entries, cottages, extras or getting there? Get in touch with James.

Email james@24rivers.com WhatsApp +27 73 891 1634