The third edition of the MUT by UTMB, as a UTMB World Series event, is set to start on Friday, 23 May. Near-perfect weather conditions are predicted for the long weekend, despite George’s reputation for cold and wet winters. 47% of the 2 072 participants, across the six distances, are women, and 85% of the field are South Africans. Among the international visitors is Michel Poletti, the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc founder, attending the event as part of his 70th birthday celebrations.
The MUT Miler kicks off the trail running proceedings at 12:00 on Friday afternoon. The weather will be warm when the event begins, and though the Mercury will drop to 10 degrees overnight, there is no rain predicted. A high of 23 degrees is expected for Saturday afternoon, and it could reach 26 on Sunday. In recent years, rain and cold conditions have made the running tough, but this year the conditions are virtually perfect for fast runs.
This will suit the sold-out field, which boasts the biggest ever numbers for the 25-kilometre Challenge and the 12-kilometre Lite. The MUT Miler will feature 69 starters, including stars like Italy’s Andrea Biffi and South African Nicolette Griffioen. The MUT 100’s 115 trail runners are headlined by double defending champion Bruce Arnett, but the real success is the gender equality of the 2025 edition. 47% of the registered athletes are women. The percentage swells to 56% for the Challenge and 67% for the Lite. In a sport historically dominated by male athletes this is a remarkable proportion and shows the inclusivity of trail running in South Africa. Expect big performances from the local women too, when Samantha Reilly, Rebecca Kohne, Giffioen, and the American adopted as a South African due to her Cape Town residency, Emily Djock, take to the trails.
Nicolette Griffioen talks MUT by UTMB aspirations at the elite athlete registration on Thursday. Photo by Andrew King.
Part of the MUT by UTMB’s growth in 2025 has been its ability to attract international runners. Though South Africans make up the majority of the field visitors to the Rainbow Nation makes up a bigger proportion than ever before. Among the 300-odd internationals is the UTMB founder, Poletti. Taking on the race in his UTMB Slow Path Project to celebrate his 70th birthday. The French visionary has already raced the Kaçkar by UTMB, Mount Yun by UTMB, Amazean Jungle Thailand by UTMB, and Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB events in Turkey, China, Thailand, and Australia. On his journey from his home in Chamonix Poletti has travelled across Eurasia by bus and train before flying from Thailand to Australia and then stopping in South Africa en route home to France. In an age of rushed travel and hastily ticking off to-do list races Poletti’s approach seeks to reaffirm that memories are best forged by slowing down.
To delve deep into the details and the beauty of MUT by UTMB trail running fans experience the event vicariously on social media or via the live tracking on the mut.utmb.world website. Follow @georgemountainultratrail on Instagram or like the Mountain Ultra-Trail by UTMB Facebook page to view the action as it unfolds this weekend.
Samantha Reilly (speaking) and Kane Reilly (left) are among the top South Africans taking on the 2025 edition. Photo by Andrew King.
