UTCT Trail Run Recce #2: Belly of the Beast 

Ultra Trail Cape Town Trail Run Recce #2: Belly of the Beast
35km, 2000m D+
Difficulty: 4 out of 5
6-8 Hours
The Belly of the Beast in many ways, prepare yourself for a tough day out, what is actually the 35km route on race day. Heading from Gardens Tech we go straight across & up via Kloof Corner onto the contour then up Platteklip then on top we explore Maclears beacon down Smuts Track onto Echo Valley thru to The Valley of the Red Gods before turning to go past the Scouts Hut near the dams. We descend via Nursery Ravine onto the contour path above Kirstenbosch. The contour is not flat or easy running so it's still work to get to UCT where we then climb up via Rhodes Memorial on a direct route to The Kings Blockhouse. The contour path home is far from a breeze but spirits will lift as you come around the corner and see the green grass of Gardens Tech RFC. 35km with 2000m ascent.