The Harrismith Mountain Race gives Harrismith a clear point of reference in sports history: its origins go back to a wager made in 1904. The city’s war memorials also include a memorial to the Scots Guards and the Grenadier Guards. This brings two different historical subjects into focus—the history of a race and a memorial to two regiments. Harrismith can also be understood in terms of its location near the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban, as well as its important long-distance bus routes. This combination of local history and transport connections can help you plan your stay around your interests and how you travel.

The Mountain Race and its history

The Harrismith Mountain Race starts and finishes at Harrismith Primary School. Having the start and finish at the same location provides a clear point of reference when planning your event day. If you choose to travel for the race, check the club’s current event information in advance and plan according to the details for the event day in question.

The race’s history goes back to Major Belcher of the Devon Regiment. The regiment was stationed in occupied Harrismith at the time; in 1904, Belcher wagered that he could climb a local hill in less than an hour. According to the historical account, he reached the summit of Platberg in 52 minutes and won the wager. The time comparison makes the challenge tangible: Belcher’s 52 minutes were eight minutes under the required hour. The race’s origins therefore centre on both the tight time limit and a specific historical achievement.

Another historical subject

The memorial to the Scots Guards and the Grenadier Guards offers a different focus from the history of the Mountain Race. The race’s history centres on the wager, the climb and a time; the memorial, in turn, is associated with the two named regiments. These subjects may appeal to different interests when planning your trip: the sporting origins of a race or Harrismith’s war memorials. You can therefore choose the place based on the subject that interests you most, or consider both.

Getting to Harrismith and accommodation

Harrismith is located near the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban and is also served by important long-distance bus routes. If you travel by road, you can use its location on the N3 as a reference; if you are planning to travel by long-distance bus, check the specific service for your travel date. These are different points of reference for getting there, not details of a particular timetable.

If you are looking for a hotel in Harrismith, it may help to first decide what brings you there: are you most interested in the history of the Mountain Race, the memorial to the two Guards regiments, or both? You can then factor your travel arrangements into your plans and decide whether Harrismith is the right destination for your trip. The combination of a historic race, a distinct war memorial and transport connections gives you specific points of interest to consider, without limiting your stay to a single focus.

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