The Essence
of Wildrun
Who we are
The heartbeat of the Wildrun® is exploring & experiencing truly wild places on the run. Be it on the Wild Coast of South Africa, the remote mountains of Lesotho, the geologically & botanically rich Richtersveld desert or the bushveld of Mapungubwe, each Wildrun® is unique and will be sure to leave an indelible impression on your life.
No markers. No massive crowds. Just you, your sense of adventure and a truly wild place. Be prepared to experience a run like no other.
The Story of
Wildrun(ner)
What we're about
Three or more days of wilderness trail running through some of the most rugged and beautiful scenery in Southern Africa. This is the backbone of a Wildrun®.
The Wildrun® is organised by Wildrunner, premier trail running event organisers in South Africa. We focus on pure trail running with a heartbeat born from a lifetime's passion of exploring wild places on the run.
Wildrunner was established in November 2007 and has held over 200 trail running events in seven South African provinces, as well as Internationally in Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
With this comes a wealth of trail and mountain running event management experience that is unmatched in Africa.
The Wildrun
Management Team
Who runs the world
Owen Middleton
Founder & Managing Director
Trail running, sailing, mountaineering, adventure racing, orienteering, surfing, paddling, kloofing, rock climbing, fly fishing, scuba diving & mountain biking are the life-blood of what makes Owen tick.
Tamaryn Middleton
General Manager
The Real Boss. She is the backbone of Wildrunner and will put a smile on your face any time of the day. Her passion is people, with a healthy dose of scuba diving, trail running and general adventure-seeking thrown in!
Marion Siebrits
Chief of the 100 acre wood (and damn good at catering to!)
Marion's ability to cook up a feast in the middle of nowhere is a gift. She is never short on laughter or practical jokes, but when it comes to delivery always the consummate professional, and when you taste her food you will no doubt agree!
Jason Sharrock
Hospitality & logistics
When not organising events Jason can be found smashing the waves on his surfboard or cruising the cattle trails on his Momsen mountain bike. From entertaining guests to making a plan with broken trailers, Jason is the wild asset working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep operations moving ahead smoothly.
Wildrun
Testimonials
What people are saying
I just wanted to say thank you to you and your team for an absolutely magnificent event. We thoroughly enjoyed it – the scenery was magnificent, the run and the company was great, and the team’s genuine caring and friendly attitude really made us feel at home, and is quite unique for an event of this magnitude. Having organised events in past, Werner and I are both very aware of how much work and planning (and stress) goes into putting on an event such as this. Everything ran like clockwork and we just all had a ball! We also appreciated the excellent communication from your side, especially the late email on Friday, which you certainly did not have to do. We certainly hope to be back next year!
Lara & Werner Theron
Wildcoast Wildrun 2012
The Lesotho Wildrun was everything my fellow Wild Coasters had promised me it was – tough but amazing and I can’t think of a better way to see and experience a country. The organisation was brilliant as always, even down to the weather! And the hero’s welcome our sweep team received at the finish made the 30+ hours on our legs worth every minute. Can’t wait to put the photos on my pin board next to my Wild Coast ones!! And the very special blanket is already keeping me warm in this cold weather.
Ad Cole
Lesotho Wildrun 2012
Thanks for a great event – I loved it. I thought your organisation was outstanding.
Peter Hathorn
Wildcoast Wildrun® 2012
We had no expectations of the run, the event or the people we would meet, other than a raw excitement for a new adventure. But what we experienced was something so much more. From an extremely efficient and well organised race, the insanely friendly and helpful team who always had time to encourage, chat or help us to the other competitors who were all just a fantastic and friendly bunch of people. We loved every minute!
Janine Mazery
Wildcoast Wildrun® 2015
"Absolutely loved it and have recommended it to many people already. Although Initially I felt it was quite expensive for a running race, by the time I left, I felt it was worth every cent - saw the logistics involved. Also loved the people I met and the race crew were awesome."
Janel van Schoor
Wildcoast Wildrun® 2014
Rwanda is truly remarkable. From the cleanliness, litter free streets to the warm and friendly people - you are left with a sense that the country works as one. Then you have the diversity of landscapes. When you first see the Volcanoes rising out of mist, clad in towering montane forests, it will take your breath away. Set foot in those forests, the smells, the sounds. Then Lake Kivu, edged by intricate bays and towering hills clad in rural fields and hard working Rwandans. Then Nyungwe Forest and the chance to run the largest, best preserved montane tropical forests in Africa, and not only that but the ridgeline that seperates the Congo and Nile river basins. It's experiences like this that gives reason to run!
Owen Middleton
Rwanda Wildrun® recce 2018
It was a great event and I especially want to thank you guys for focussing on the event and not the racing. For me it was about the journey, the beautiful scenery and the meeting of likeminded people. It was great that the organisers also focused on that, rather than who came first! It made is so much more enjoyable! Thank you for the great organisation, it ran really smooth! It was really a pleasure to participate and Wildrunner did an excellent job. Thanks.
Liza Burmeister
Wildcoast Wildrun 2012
I just want to express my appreciation to you and your entire team for a most wonderful adventure in Lesotho. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire event, and was greatly impressed with the level of organization, friendliness and care throughout. I certainly hope to be back next year.
Erik Hallendorff
Lesotho Wildrun 2012
Just wanted to say thank you very much for such an inspiring unbelievable experience.
Kim Bulltemier
Safari-on-the-Run™: Mapungubwe 2017
Many, many thanks once again for an awesome event!! You guys get better and better every year…..Phenomenal!!! While the coast, terrain and people are conducive an awesome experience, it’s you guys that always make it a truly memorable one and completely addictive!! I’m absolutely hooked on the high from taking and being part of this incredible journey and yet am humbled by the privilege. Not many people get these opportunities and something I always try to remind myself. Again, thanks so much for making Mark’s and my “holiday” and fantastic one!!
Martin Stewart
Wildcoast Wildrun 2012