23 &  24  JULY 2011

A magical 2 day trail run in the exquisite Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve & Boosmansbos Conservancy, 22km from Heidelberg in the Cape, highly rated by  seasoned trail runners.

Mountain trails leading you through a fairyland of indigenous forests; giant Redwood tree forest; endemic fynbos and lush river valleys and streams.  Rated as fairly strenuous with 95%  single track with a great variety of terrain.

Undulating climbs, reaching mountain ridges with views towards Barrydale and winding back down into lush valleys and kloofs to quench your thirst in the pure sweet mountain water on route.

This reserve is one of 8 World Heritage Sites with a highly protected fragile eco system;  protected by Cape Nature and the Boosmansbos Conservancy.    The name Boosmansbos is derived from that of an angry hermit who lived in the forest in the early 19th century.  Boosmansbos was proclaimed a Wilderness Area in 1978 and is managed to maintain and protect its natural system and pristine environment.  A percentage of this event is put back into the Conservancy for alien vegetation management.

 

Distances

 

Day one (Sat 23rd)  30km    1270m altitude gain Average runner to complete in  4 hours.   Day one is a tougher challenge than day two

 

Day two (Sun 24th)    20km   900m altitude gain Average runner to complete in 3 hours.    Incredible forests and river valleys

Click here to view Route maps

Click here to view Route profiles

 

Categories

Solo : Male Open, Female Open

Double entry (run both days)  or

Relay:  Male , Female, Mixed Open teams

One team member runs one of the legs   e.g.  team member # 1  runs Saturday and team member # 2 runs Sunday’s  leg

 

Joint winning time over both days

Registration

Registration at Grootvadersbosch Reserve -  follow directions to the main hall

Friday 2pm until 7 pm  or Saturday morning 6h30 until 8h00

Race Start

Race briefing    8h15

Race start        8h30

 

Prize giving :

Sunday approximately 1pm.   Great prizes from Sportsmans Warehouse, First Ascent, Inov-8 trail shoes, Imazine power bracelets and others

 

Included in the entry package:

• Finishers momento
• Goody bag
• Technical running cap
• Reserve fees
• Catering :
• • Friday night supper
  • Saturday lunch
  • Sunday  lunch

 tea coffee hot chocolate Cafe Pronto on site

Entry Fee

R   680   solo

R 1300  per relay team

PRE ENTRIES ONLY

ENTRIES CLOSED

Catering

• Friday night pasta
• Saturday lunch
• Sunday lunch
• Saturday night:     join us for a great vibe and delicious good ol’ fashioned country style potijie to warm you up  (optional at R100 per person)
• Breakfast :     bring your own.  Tea coffee and hot chocolate available
• Beverages :   cash bar

 

Accommodation situated close to the Reserve

Please arrange and book your own accommodation

Self- catering,  B & B’s,  Nature Reserve cottages, camping situated close to the reserve

www.grootvadersbosch.co.za

www.capenature.co.za Self catering cottage for 8 pax,  camp sites, available in Grootvadersbosch nature reserve

www.honeywoodfarm.co.za

www.valleysend.co.za

www.lismoresa.co.za

www.skeiding.co.za

and the surrounding towns

Heidelberg

Suurbraak

Swellendam

Barrydale

more accommodation details

Weather:

July weather in this region is dry,  cold during the night and warm during the day

Entry requirements :

Participants have to be trail running fit, carry the stipulated equipment and be over the age of 18.

Essential for every runner to carry on route :

• Cell phone – please save the numbers of the event organizer & sweepers on route which will be available at registration
• At least 1.5L  water
• Antihistamine tablets
• Plasters & bandage
• Thermal space blanket
• Wind shell or waterproof jacket if raining
• Medical aid details

 

Please note that due to altitude the weather conditions are unpredictable.  You must ensure that you are fully prepared.

Water Points on route:

Mountain streams with drinkable water is available on route.  3 mountain stream points on the 30km route;  2 mountain stream points on the 20km route.

Directions

Grootvadersbosch Reserve main entrance –

33°59’19.44″S

20°48’48.71″E

From Cape Town

• Take N2 towards Swellendam
• Pass Swellendam
• Turn left onto R324  Suurbraak / Barrydale
• Travel through Suurbraak
• Road becomes R322 (Heidelberg)
• Follow R322 for approximately another 22km, following Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve signs

From Mossel Bay

• From the N2,  turn right onto R322, Barrydale
• Follow the road for 18km until you reach a fork in the road
• Veer right, following the Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve signs

Rules & Regulations

• Emergency contact details will be given to each runner which must be kept  with you on route
• Every runner must carry a card on route with their own personal contact details, medical aid details, blood group, emergency contact details, doctor etc
• Mountain rescue will be informed of the event and a medical doctor will be on standby
• Should you encounter an emergency and / or  injured runner on route, please assist them and contact one of the emergency numbers on your race pack or the closest  marshal
• All persons entering the races will only be allowed to partake if the indemnity form is signed and you are fully aware that partaking in these events is done so entirely at your own risk.  The organizing bodies/employees/agents or any other persons/organizations/establishments or  other personnel involved with the event shall not be liable for any damage, loss, theft, injury, accident or death suffered by any person, howsoever caused, prior to the event, during the event or after the event.
• Medical aid details of all entrants must be given to the organizing body prior to the event.
• In the event of a medical emergency, the organizing bodies/authorities will use their discretion and follow procedures deemed necessary for evacuation and /or medical assistance thereof.
• Due to unforeseen circumstances or severe weather conditions,  the organizer/s may be entitled to cancel the event/s at any given time.  The event/s may or may not be postponed to another date.
• In the event of cancellation of any event/s, cancellation fees will not be refundable.
• Stick to the existing trails and do not take shortcuts
• Do not tamper with the vegetation or stray off the trail
• Do not litter.  Please protect our sensitive land
• No pets allowed on the route
• It is your responsibility to find parking prior to the race
• The races will be timed
• Entries are only confirmed once proof of payment is received.  Payment to be made before entry dates close.