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Entry Fee

What’s Included in Your Salt Pans Ultra Entry Fee

The Salt Pans Ultra entry fee covers more than just the race itself. It covers your entire weekend at the Salt Pans.

Beside the participation in the race it also includes the GPS trackers for timing and safety, along with a race shirt, goodie bag, and finisher medal, if you make the cut off.

Beyond the race, the fee also provides full access to campsite facilities, all meals from Friday dinner to Sunday morning breakfast, sundowner drink and snacks at the race briefing and a celebratory braai on Saturday evening.

We cater for vegetarians and vegans as well as for people with food allergies.

It’s an all-inclusive package designed to support you every step of the way, from start to finish.

The Race

Medical support throughout event
All meals for the duration of the event
All campsite facilities
Free camping if runner brings own tent
Chip Tracking and Timing for the duration of the run.
Finisher Medal (if cutoff made)
Goodie back incl. Shirt, Buff, etc.
Post-race massage

Food and Drinks

Friday:

Race Briefing with drinks on the pans

Pre-race dinner

Saturday:

Runner Breakfast

All food and nutrition on race day

Post race snacks

Braai / Barbeque

Sunday:

Breakfast

Free water throughout the event

Sunset Race Briefing

On Friday evening, we hold a detailed race briefing on the the Salt Pans, ensuring every runner is fully prepared for the adventure ahead.


Following the briefing, participants can relax and soak in the breathtaking sunset over the pans, enjoying drinks and finger food generously provided by our sponsors.


It’s the perfect moment to connect with fellow runners and embrace the unique atmosphere of the event.

The Salt Pans Ultra is more than just a race. It’s an entire all inclusive weekend in the famous Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana

After Race Party

After the race on Saturday evening, we host a traditional African Braai, free for all entered runners. It’s the perfect way to relax, enjoy great food, and share stories from your incredible day on the pans.

And no worries. We have vegetarian and vegan alternatives for everyone who doesn’t want to eat meat. 

This celebratory gathering is all about good vibes, community, and winding down under the stars after an epic race.

Campsite and Campsite Facilities

We provide a free campsite for all entered runners, complete with access to all campsite facilities to ensure your comfort during the event weekend.

Just bring your own tent and essentials. If you don’t have a tent, no worries—rentals are available to make things even easier.

Free internet will be available at the Start/Finish area.

Prizes

The Salt Pans Ultra offers unique and meaningful prizes. While there are no cash rewards, the top three finishers in each distance will receive a special medal. Category winners will also be awarded a hand-drawn artwork by a local artist, making the achievement even more personal.

For the 100km winner, their name will be engraved on the iconic skull of a beast, joining the legacy of past champions. In addition, they will win a weekend for two in the stunning Okavango Delta, courtesy of our sponsor, Desert & Delta Safaris—a perfect way to celebrate their hard-earned victory!

No Tears in the Salt Pans

Read the article from Carla Farina. 

She’s a Hoka ONE ONE runner, our Salt Pans Ultra Race Ambassador and also writes a monthly column in the South African running magazine “Trail MisAdventures”.

You can read the article here:

Read more

Racecheck Gold Award 2024 for Salt Pans Ultra Marathon

We’re incredibly proud to announce that the Salt Pans Ultra 2024 has again been awarded the Racecheck Gold Award, with an impressive 4.93-star average rating from over 50 reviews! This milestone brings us closer to earning a spot among the Top Rated Races on Racecheck, a platform dedicated to helping athletes find, review, and choose the best endurance events worldwide.

Ranked 13th out of 1,750 off-road running races in 2024 we are high in the Top 1% of races.

Racecheck connects a global community of runners, cyclists, and triathletes, allowing them to share race experiences and recognize events that truly stand out. Achieving this award reflects the passion and commitment of everyone involved—from participants to volunteers, to our dedicated team behind the scenes.

Thank you to each and every one of you who voted and helped make this possible. We look forward to creating even more memorable moments together at future events!

Jodie Russell's Remarkable Victory at the 2024 Salt Pans Ultra 50km

In a stunning display of endurance and speed, Jodie Russell claimed first place in the 2024 Salt Pans Ultra 50km, finishing with an impressive time of 5 hours and 35 minutes—just 3 minutes shy of the course’s fastest record. Known for its demanding terrain across Botswana’s vast salt flats, the Salt Pans Ultra is a true test for any ultra-runner, and Russell rose to the challenge with grit and determination.

Russell’s near-record time is a testament to her relentless training and racing prowess, as she maneuvered through the rugged landscape with an impressive pace and strategic precision. The Salt Pans’ harsh environment, with its expansive, barren flats and ever-changing weather conditions, tested every runner, but Russell stayed focused, drawing strength from the raw beauty and challenge of the terrain.

After the race, Russell shared her excitement about her win and the unforgettable experience. “Running on the salt pans is unlike anything else—it’s challenging, yet incredibly rewarding,” she said. “It was just me and the elements out there, and that pushed me to dig deeper.”

Congratulations to Jodie Russell on her outstanding performance in the Salt Pans Ultra 50km! Her remarkable achievement brings her within reach of the course’s fastest time, setting the stage for future challenges and inspiring the ultra-running community.

Tylor Rocha Shatters Record to Win 2024 Salt Pans Ultra 100km

Tylor Rocha shattered the Salt Pans Ultra 100km record with an impressive 11:37 finish in 2024. The grueling course, softened by the absence of mud this year, allowed Rocha to push limits and set a new benchmark. Battling winds and the vast salt flats, the ultra runner effort’s are all the more impressive as he is new to the sport.

In his post-race interview, Rocha expressed gratitude for the support from fans, fellow runners, and his team. He also credited the unique beauty and challenging terrain of the Salt Pans for pushing him to reach new levels in his performance. “There’s something about the salt pans that pulls you in,” he shared. “It’s humbling, but it’s also inspiring. It makes you give everything.”
Congratulations to Tylor Rocha on this incredible achievement! His record-breaking time is sure to be celebrated by the ultra-running community and will serve as a high benchmark for future competitors aiming to tackle the Salt Pans Ultra.