There is a good reason Voet Van Afrika is famously known as “The Toughest Race with the Warmest Heart.”
The rolling Overberg landscape, rural gravel roads, and iconic climbs make crossing the finish line in Bredasdorp one of the most rewarding feelings in South African running. But whether you’re aiming for a personal best or simply planning to enjoy the scenery, respecting the terrain is the key to a great race day.
As we head into peak training, here is your definitive guide to mastering the elevation, pacing the gravel, and conquering the hills of Voet Van Afrika on 18 & 19 September 2026.
1. Respect the Gravel: Save Your Legs Early
A significant portion of the route takes you across open gravel roads. While gravel offers a scenic breakaway from urban asphalt, it demands a different kind of energy from your legs.
- Watch Your Footing: Loose gravel forces your stabilizing muscles (ankles, calves, and glutes) to work harder. Keep your stride light, relaxed, and quick rather than pushing long, heavy strides.
- Don’t Rush the Flat Gravel: It’s tempting to open up your stride on the early gravel sections, but burning too much energy early on will leave your legs heavy when the real climbing starts. Stick strictly to your target race pace.
2. Conquer the Climb: The FM Tower & Mountain Challenges
The true heart of the course lies in its elevation. If you’re taking on the 42.2km Marathon, you’ll face the legendary push up toward the FM tower at the top of the mountain, where the prestigious King of the Mountain title (sponsored by Rola Toyota Bredasdorp) is won!
- Shorten Your Stride: When the incline steepens, drop your gear. Shorten your stride, pump your arms gently, and focus on maintaining a steady rhythm rather than speed.
- Look Ahead, Not Up: Keep your gaze focused about 5 to 10 meters ahead of you on the path rather than staring at the crest of the hill. It keeps your posture upright and your mind focused.
- Run the Downhills Wisely: What goes up must come down! Avoid “slamming” your feet down on steep descents, which destroys your quadriceps. Lean slightly forward from your ankles and let gravity carry you down smoothly.
3. Home Workout: 3 Hill-Strength Exercises for August
You don’t need a mountain in your back garden to build hill-climbing power. Incorporate these three bodyweight exercises into your weekly August routine:
- Step-Ups: Find a sturdy bench or box. Step up with control, driving through your heel, and lower down slowly. Aim for 3 sets of 15 reps per leg.
- Walking Lunges: Excellent for building knee stability and quad strength for downhill running. 3 sets of 20 steps.
- Calf & Eccentric Heel Raises: Stand on the edge of a step, raise up on two feet, and lower down slowly on one foot (counting to 3 seconds). This builds resilient Achilles tendons for the gravel climbs.
4. Smart Pacing Strategy: The 11km-to-Go Mark
For 21.1km Half Marathon runners, the race truly begins near the Spar water station with 11km to go—where the Queen of Voet Van Afrika title (sponsored by Rola Ford Bredasdorp) comes into play.
- First Half (Conservative): Treat the first half of your race as a setup. Keep your heart rate under control and soak in the atmosphere.
- Second Half (Strong Finish): Once you pass the major climbs and hit the final 10km stretch into Bredasdorp, use the momentum you saved to pick up the pace and pass tired runners all the way to the finish line.
Lock In Your Spot at the Start Line!
Fitness is built on the hills, but victory starts with registration! Don’t leave your entry to the last minute. Get your spot locked in, keep up the hill training this August, and we’ll see you in Bredasdorp!
👉 Register online today at www.voetvanafrika.co.za
