Lesotho offers some the world’s best conditions for high-altitude running. The vast network of informal bridle paths that runs through the kingdom’s scenic highlands is primarily used by Sotho shepherds and their livestock, but these ancient tracks are also ideal for experienced trail runners wanting to gain experience at medium to high altitudes, ranging from 1,400 metres to 3,200 metres.
Great opportunities for trail running exist almost throughout Lesotho. The clearly signposted dirt road and trails that run through the country’s two national parks Sehlabathebe and Ts’ehlanyane make for a good starting point. However, with suitable gear, such as GPS, water bladder and so on, one could treat almost any footpath in the country as a potential trail run, including the ascent from Sani Top to Thabana Ntlenyana, the tallest peak in Africa south of Kilimanjaro.
Although Lesotho holds a special appeal to off-road runners, the country’s network of surfaced and unsurfaced roads also provides plenty of opportunities for road runners and other athletes to work on hill and altitude training. Except in the immediate vicinity of Maseru and a few other large towns, roads in Lesotho tend to be very quiet, and safe for running.
A particularly good spot for high altitude training is the Afriski Mountain Resort, which stands at above 3,000 metres in the Maloti Mountains and is surrounded by roads and trails suited to both type of runner. Between mid-September and mid-May, Afriski also offers regular high-altitude training camps supervised by an experienced personal trainer and coach.
For racers, the kingdom’s most challenging event is the Lesotho Ultra Trail held annually in Ts’ehlanyane National Park every November since 2013. This testing circular 50km ultra-marathon entails a total altitude gain and loss of around 2,500m over two main ascents and descents, and it peaks at around 3,155 metres from a low point of 1,950m. There is also a slightly less demanding 38km variation entailing a total altitude gain and loss of around 1,700m.
A less hardcore event is the Malealea Monster Weekend of Adventure held at Malealea Lodge every September. This family-orientated event comprises a mountain biking race with four options ranging from 8km to 75km on the Saturday, then the choice of 8km, 15km and 25km trail runs on the Sunday.
