About The Race
All the deets
Born from a tinderbox
A tonteldoos is an old tinderbox – flint, steel and tinder. No easy flame, just the means to make one. That’s what this race is about.
Race 2 Tonteldoos revives the legendary Cullinan 2 Tonteldoos route – now reborn with a Friday-night start, a finish in Dullstroom at Dunkeld Country & Equestrian Estate, and a full weekend of mountain-town hospitality. It’s a 250km point-to-point overnight gravel race from Cullinan in Gauteng to the Mpumalanga highlands, crossing two provinces and climbing over 3,200m on entirely unmarked gravel and district roads.
This isn’t built around comfort. It’s built around resilience. Riders burn matches, face long hours alone on remote roads, and discover what’s left when everything easy is gone. No marked route. No hand-holding. Just you, your bike, and the night.
Bring the fire. Or burn out.
- Rob van den Bergh, founder
Full Race Details
- 0.8 kmDistance
- 0 kmClimbing
- 0 hrCut-off
- 2Provinces
- 1Sleepless Night
One Route. One Night. No Markings.
You'll drop into the Loskop Dam bushveld, climb back out through the night, and finish on a plateau above 2,000m. Somewhere after 200km, Korfnek Pass is waiting.
- Surface: Unmarked gravel & district roads
- Nav: GPS only (GPX sent 1 week before)
- Bike: MTB or gravel (MTB recommended)
Korfnek. It's a Hill. Get Over It.
- Where: ~233km
- Gain: 140m / 1.8km
- Gradient: ~8%, loose
Race Day // Fri 11 to Sat 12 Sep 2026
14:00–16:00
Compulsory registration & number collection at Railways Café in Cullinan (Friday)16:30
Mandatory race briefing17:00
The gun. Neutral start, facing up the hill, into the sunset.16:59 Sat
Final cut-off. 24 hours on the clock.
Get Your Name on the List
- 1stR10k+ full 2027
entry - 2ndR5k+ 60% 2027
entry - 3rdR3.5k+ 40% 2027
entry
What You'll Carry
Mandatory
- Water: min 2L (3L recommended)
- Charged phone + cables
- Working front & rear lights
- Charged GPS with GPX loaded
- Small medical kit
- Space blanket + helmet
- Spot tracker & NFC armband (supplied at reg)
Smart to pack
- Hydration pack, top-tube & saddle bags
- Tube/puncture kit, CO₂, multi-tool, spare hanger
- Warm layers, rain jacket, buffs
- Chamois cream & sun protection
- Power bank + spare batteries
- Electrolytes & personal medication
The Finish Isn't the End
FAQ
Is the race fully marked?
No. There are no route markings on the course. Riders are required to navigate using GPS devices and the GPX route supplied by the event organisers.
Can riders make use of their own support crews?
Yes. Rider support is permitted only at de Villa Lodge, Loskop (128km) and Stoffberg Silos (205km). Support outside these designated locations is not permitted.
Can I ride a gravel bike?
Yes. Both mountain bikes (MTB) and gravel bikes are welcome. Due to the demanding terrain, we believe the average rider will be better suited to a mountain bike.
Is there a cutoff?
Yes. Riders have 24 hours to complete the race. Official checkpoint cutoffs will be communicated before race day. Final race cutoff is 16:59 on Saturday, 12 September 2026.
Is this suitable for beginners?
No. The 250km Ultra is recommended only for riders with previous long-distance endurance cycling experience.
Will there be night riding?
Yes. The race starts at 17:00 on Friday, 11 September 2026, meaning riders will spend a significant portion of the event riding through the night.
Why a Friday night start?
Riders arrive in Dullstroom during Saturday trading hours, supporting local businesses, and can enjoy a full night’s rest on Saturday before travelling home on Sunday.
Where is the race finish?
The race finishes in Dullstroom at Dunkeld Country & Equestrian Estate.
Is there support at de Villa Lodge, Loskop Dam?
Yes. The 128km checkpoint provides rider support access, meals, ablutions, mechanical assistance where available, and recovery opportunities.
What’s Korfnek Pass like?
Korfnek Pass is the race’s signature challenge: a 140m vertical climb over approximately 1.8km on steep, loose gravel after more than 200km of riding. Bring your legs. Bring your patience. It’s a hill… get over it.
Where can I stay for the weekend?
Whether you’re racing, supporting a rider, or simply looking to spend the weekend exploring the Dullstroom area, Dunkeld offers comfortable idyllic, great food and plenty to keep the whole family entertained.
Still have questions?
Can’t find the answers you’re looking for? Get in touch and we’ll get you any information you need.
News & Updates
- July 29, 2026
The Final Shakedown Ride!
With Race 2 Tonteldoos just 7 weeks away, this is the training ride that will give you all the answers: your gear, your nutrition, your legs, your mindset. Conquer all...Read news - July 21, 2025
BADAss H2Flow / Hydration Stations for Race 2 Tonteldoos
When you’re pushing hard through the Race 2 Tonteldoos, the last thing you should worry about is water. That’s where the BADAss H2Flow trailers roll in. Pure. Filtered. Chilled. Each...Read news - July 21, 2025
Extreme Lights / Lighting Up Every Adventure
Adventure doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. As a proud sponsor of Race to Tonteldoos, Extreme Lights is helping riders stay safe, visible, and ready for every kilometre of...Read news - July 9, 2025
Gravel & Tour / Built for Adventure
Every great ride starts with the right gear. As a proud sponsor of Race to Tonteldoos, Gravel & Tour understands exactly what riders need when the adventure gets tough. Founded...Read news
