A few trail-obsessed friends, a wild idea and a refusal to let a good vibe die. That’s how it began.
No corporate boardrooms. No waxing lyrical over a polished presentations.
Just passion, chaos and a shared mission to build something real - a race that felt less like a spreadsheet and more like a celebration of the trail and everything we know it to be.
We’d spent years behind other events - learning and occasionally bending a few rules - until we realised we could do it our way.
The Cobra way. The fearless way.
Not just a race. A reckoning.
This wasn’t part of some long, Polished business plan.
The Cape Cobra started the way the best IDEAS do.
- with a half-joking phone call, THAT GOT WAY OUT OF HAND.
THE COBRA WAS AWAKE.
RYAN BEKKER RDG
Race Director General | Mountain Diplomat
Ryan knows every contour of Table Mountain and every personality at SANParks and the wine farms - and somehow keeps all of them happy. A former trail runner with deep industry roots, he’s the guy who can negotiate a route change, calm an elite athlete, and still make it home to Hermanus in time for dinner. When the mountain speaks, Ryan listens… and then makes the final call anyway.
DR. JESSE B ROBERTS CMO
Chief Media/Mischief Officer - and everything else
If it looks good, sounds good, or works smoothly… chances are Jesse built it.
He’s the creative engine behind the Cape Cobra look and feel and the human version of “we’ll make a plan.” When he’s not designing merch, posting content, or paying invoices, he’s probably doing three other things he didn’t technically sign up for. He turns chaos into slickness - and still replies to DMs.
ASHRAF ORRIE OGTC
OG of Trail Connections | Community King
Ashraf doesn’t just know the running community - he is the running community. With a cultlike following and a smile that disarms even the grumpiest trail runner, he’s our bridge into every club, crew, café and WhatsApp group that matters.
He drives recce runs, spreads the gospel of the Cobra, and somehow makes everyone believe they can tackle a mountain.
DR. SEAN GOMES CVO
Chief Vibe Officer | Strategic Sensei
Sean brings commercial intelligence, creative direction and the kind of network that makes sponsors sit up straight. As Zlaant’s co-founder, he knows how to turn a race into a story and a brand into a movement.
Whether its rock stars on the trails, ice creams at the finish or a kiddies fun run... Sean can’t help but chase the fun stuff (in-between the serious)
We don’t do red tape.
We don’t do ego.
We do mountain missions, bad jokes, last-minute WhatsApps updates and finish line hugs.
The Cobra is a living, breathing thing - powered by passion, caffeine, and a little bit of madness.
It’s prize money for the podiums, surprises for the pack and the best finish-line energy in the country.
And the best part?
We’re just getting started.
The Cape Cobra Trail Marathon - built by runners, for runners, with just enough venom to keep it interesting.
whether you’re a runner, supporter or just someone who loves a little chaos done right.
Be a PART OF THE LEGEND. Come run the second strike Cape Cobra Trail Marathon in 2026.
Wildly Beautiful. Relentlessly Tough.