About the race
The KAP sani2c is a three-day, 270 km mountain bike stage race in KwaZulu-Natal. It links the foot of the southern Drakensberg with the Indian Ocean, and its organisers sum it up with the line "more than a ride".
History and community
The organiser highlights a community focus since the start, involving schools, charities, rural communities and local entrepreneurs along the route. This was formalised as the sani2c Community Development Trust in 2017. The event is well known for its hospitality and "gees", the South African word for spirit.
The course
The race starts on a small sheep farm near the Sani Pass in the southern Drakensberg. Riders cross the KZN Midlands mist belt through dairy and timber farms and indigenous forest, then drop down a pass into the Umkomaas Valley. After criss-crossing a nature reserve and sugar cane farms, they finish on the shores of the Indian Ocean at Scottburgh. The 2026 stages give a sense of scale: Stage 1 was 89 km with 1,027 m of climbing, finishing at Mackenzie Club near Ixopo; Stage 2 was about 92 km with around 1,600 m of climbing, finishing at Kings Harvest School; and Stage 3 was 86 km with 1,042 m of climbing, ending at Scottburgh Golf Club.
Formats
There are two versions of the three-day event, which together span four days, and e-bikes are catered for in the "OG" event. The 2027 dates on the organiser's page are 5 to 7 May and 6 to 8 May 2027. A separate sani2c nonstop is a teamed point-to-point marathon from the base of the Sani Pass to Scottburgh beach, covering 256 km with a 24-hour cut-off, mostly on the same trails.
Entry basics
The organiser reports that entries for the 2027 event are open and encourages riders to enter early and prepare well ahead of time. Check the organiser for stage cut-off times for the three-day race.
Where to watch
Stage finishes are the easiest places to see riders, such as the Mackenzie Club, Kings Harvest School and Scottburgh in the 2026 edition. Check the organiser's information for the current edition before travelling.
Weather
May is autumn in KwaZulu-Natal. Days along the coast are usually mild and drier, while the higher ground near the Drakensberg start can be cool, with mist on the Midlands and cold mornings. This is a general seasonal description, not a forecast.
SourcesKAP sani2c