The Race to the Sea 100 miler will start from Theewater Sports Club in 2026, adding new gravel sections after the closure of Franschhoek Pass.
The event date remains unchanged, with riders set to roll out on 5 September 2026. The 100-mile field will no longer depart from Franschhoek Monument.
The route change follows the indefinite closure of Franschhoek Pass. Storm damage earlier this year caused significant bridge damage and several landslides.
The pass remains closed to all traffic, including cars, heavy vehicles, motorcycles and pedestrians. That made the original start location impossible for the 100 miler.
New Race to the Sea start brings more gravel
Theewater Sports Club sits on a peninsula extending into Theewaterskloof Dam, near Villiersdorp. It is roughly 90 minutes from Cape Town and close to Elgin.
Organisers highlighted the venue’s practical advantages, including easy access, ample parking and wide views across the dam. The surrounding mountains will also frame the new start area.
The revised 100 miler will now cover 153km, with elevation remaining similar at 2,485m. Riders will begin with a relatively flat opening 10km before the climbing starts.
The change also creates space for new gravel roads and fresh route features. Returning riders will face a different opening phase in the 2026 edition.
The headline addition is Rusty Gate Pass, a well-known off-road climb in South African cycling. It will feature within the opening 20km of the event.
From that summit, riders can expect broad views across the Overberg before the route reconnects with familiar terrain.
Familiar finish and unchanged 50 miler
The second half of the 100 miler remains unchanged. Regular participants will still ride the Caledon Windfarm segment and continue toward Benguela Cove.
The finish also stays at Benguela Cove on the Whale Coast. The 50 miler remains unchanged and will still start at Wolwekraal, near Caledon.
That means the shorter-distance field avoids the reroute required by the Franschhoek Pass closure.
The route will again carry riders through gravel roads below wind turbines and into agricultural landscapes. Canola and wheat fields remain part of the run toward the coast.
The full updated 100 miler route will be published in the coming weeks.
Shuttles, parking and accommodation plans
Event logistics will carry over despite the start-line change. Morning shuttles will run from Benguela Cove to Theewater Sports Club.
That service allows riders to leave vehicles at the finish before travelling to the start. It also preserves the point-to-point format of the 100 miler.
Riders staying in Elgin will have additional options. They can use a morning car transfer service to the finish.
Alternatively, they can catch a shuttle back to the start after the race. The Elgin region offers accommodation near the new start.
Elgin River Lodge and Trailsend are among the most sought-after options for riders planning a race weekend.
Refund option for existing 100 miler entrants
All existing 100 miler entrants will receive communication from the Race to the Sea team shortly.
The event will proceed as planned on 5 September 2026. Entrants can keep their place and ride from Theewater Sports Club.
They can also choose a full refund. The refund process will be explained by email to all affected 100 miler entrants.
JP Nortje, of Faces, said the team was looking forward to seeing riders gather at Theewater in September.
He described Franschhoek Pass as iconic, while calling Rusty Gate one of South Africa’s most celebrated off-road climbs.
Nortje said the climb had long been a target for inclusion in an event. He hoped it would reward riders with views and create exciting racing in the elite men’s and women’s categories.
Entries are open now and close at midnight on Monday, 31 August. Riders can secure a place for the 2026 edition at www.racetothesea.co.za.