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 & Myles Siebrits
M&M as they are fondly known, go way back in the Wildrun story. Marion took over in the field kitchen in 2016 and quickly showed us what an operator she is! Together with Myles they ran the catering show until Namibia Crossing 2024. While they might have hung up their catering boots, we can't keep them away and hence can now be found out in the field. Most often you will find M&M at the aid stations, cheering everyone in and offering up the snacks.
Wildrun
Testimonials
What people are saying
Thank you to you and Owen and the whole team that put on the Wildcoast Wildrun 2021, it was an amazing experience, the organization was excellent, the accommodation and food were great and the runs and views were spectacular. Even the weather played along, apart from that damn wind on day 2! I really enjoyed the whole thing - it was an fantastic adventure.
Ian Ferguson
Wildcoast Wildrun 2021
"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
Thank you for welcoming us on this outrageously incredible inaugural event. It was truly a privilege to get to know all of you better, to share the good and the better on the trails and to be part of what will become a legendary event. Owen, Chris, Olivier, Jado & team - wow! Maxine, Jen, Karoline, Filippo & Gavin - you are fierce! Very sad to leave - will be cheering you on from CT! XO
India & Peter Baird
Rwanda Wildrun® 2019
Thanks to you and Owen (+ team of course) for a brilliantly organised event – was fab, what a course, what a place, and would do it year after year if there wasn’t so much else out there to do and see. And I think the absolute best was that AMAZING blanket – I had a very cosy Sunday afternoon snooze beneath it last w/e, what bliss!!!!!!!
Jane MacKinnon
Lesotho Wildrun 2012
I just want to congratulate you on organising a superb event. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the whole experience! It was just awesome! Lesotho is so beautiful and the places we stayed were really great. The food, atmosphere, everything…. unforgettable! Hopefully I will be able to get into the Wildcoast Wildrun either this year (if the waiting list diminishes!) or next year and I am seriously considering doing the Lesotho Wildrun again with my boyfriend next year….just need to work on my navigation skills! Good luck with all your events this year and I really hope to see you in the near future for another amazing event.
Debbie Sessions
Lesotho Wildrun 2011
Thank you all for a wonderful Wildrun. It was my first event and I was completely blown away by your professional organization and attention to detail. You honestly thought of everything from assisting us with our grubby toes to loading our bags at the crack of dawn WITH A SMILE ON YOUR FACES!!! I loved every moment of it and came back with a renewed appreciation of the beautiful country in which we live and what fabulous people form the running community. Thank you. It was life changing for me.
Claire Gatonby
Wildcoast Wildrun® 2013
Thanks again to the entire team for a fantastic and memorable event
Daniel Schuurman
Safari-on-the-Run™: Mapungubwe 2017
We had the most fantastic time. It was profoundly the most astounding experience ever. I had to pinch myself daily to be sure I wasn’t dreaming. The organization just brilliant – tents, exquisite meals, cold beers, G&T on the hill at sunset with spectacular views, staff just going out of their way to be helpful. The logistics behind getting an event such as this to run without a hitch must be mind-blowing and you guys pulled it off. Not to mention the wildlife, fascinating history and incredible community involvement.
Bryan Mulliner
Safari-on-the-Run™: Mapungubwe 2017
"I cannot stop telling people about our life-changing experience at the Richtersveld – and I just wanted to thank you guys for making all of it possible. The organizing of this event was really world-class! Your team’s energy is incredible and inspirational! Please keep in doing what you are doing – you are exposing people to incredible places and experiences! It really changed my life!"
Thea-Mari Franken
Richtersveld Wildrun® 2015
Dear Tamaryn, Owen and the entire support crew, I just want to say a huge thank you to both of you as well as the entire support crew for the most incredible and unique experience of the Wildcoast Wildrun last week. It was such a special memory that I will carry with me always.
Whilst it was tough for me (being the longest one day distance plus the longest stage run I’ve done), it was also so beautiful with the wide open beaches and unbelievable views. You have such a special team of people who provide the support and expert organization to all the runners. I plan to get fitter and stronger and will hopefully be back!
Adrienne Bewsher
Wildcoast Wildrun 2022