What keeps drawing is back is the wildness; raw, untouched, and honest. There’s a purity here that strips away the unnecessary. Each return feels like a reset.
A reflective Mother’s Day story from the Whale of Trail, where one runner returns to De Hoop with big goals, three little faces waiting at the finish, and a deeper lesson waiting on the trail. Through pain, pride, salt air and fynbos, she is reminded that the greatest win is not always the one we set out chasing.
Mark’s journey with Whale of Trail began in 2014, and over time, it became more than just an annual race. From solo runs to shared hikes with his family, from recovery after a stroke to witnessing his daughter complete her first ultra, his story reminds us that this trail holds more than just kilometres. It holds memory, resilience, and quiet joy.
I have a story to tell. It’s a personal story, years in the making, shaped by many people and countless kilometres. It begins with a simple love of the outdoors – hiking, moving, breathing in the stillness. By Billy Jackson
De Hoop Collection and the annual Merrell Whale of Trail Run joined forces in 2024 to raise funds for the building of a playground extension at Ouplaas EK Primary School situated on the Ouplaas farm, a few kilometres from De Hoop Collection.
Bryony McCormick lined up at the start of the Merrell Whale of Trail in 2015. It was her first ever ultra and she brings you seven tips and insights to the big day that might help you get to the finish line slightly less stressed than she was!
