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Dragon Challenge - Low Key but Lots of Adventure

Jackie Windh / 31.01.2008

South Africa's Dragon Challenge is a four day endurance multisport event with compulsory night stops. It incorporates a trekking leg (40 km), a cycling leg (69 km)and two canoeing legs (The Drak Challenge, 65 km). The safety of each participant is entirely at his/her own risk as there are no emergency personel on route during the trekking and cycling legs.

There is no participation fee for the trekking and cycling legs. This is all about affordability. You just need to pay your own entrance fee at Giants Castle, accommodation at Giants Castle and accommodation at Loteni.

The Inaugural Dragon Challenge took place last year and was started and completed by only three people. They were Todd Clark, Landy Puddu and Jenny Reynolds. They completed a 62 km (16 hours) trek from Injasuti to Highmoor along the contour path. The following day they cycled 108 km (8 hours) from Highmoor to the Start of the Drak Challenge. Over the following two days they completed a shortened Drak Challenge (due to lack of rain) covering 46 km, notching up a total of 216 km over the 4 day event.

The 2008 Dragon Challenge is going to be just as exciting, but a little shorter. The first day is a 40 km trekking leg from Giants Castle to Vergelegen via Loteni along some tough lower berg terrain. The contestants then meet up with and stay at Vergelegen with their seconds. The second day sees they participants cycle towards Underberg and the start of the Drak Challenge covering 65 km. Days three and four then sees the contestants don their canoeing gear and tackle might of the crystal clear Mzimkhulu River covering 64 km over the last two days. The total distance for this classic 4 day multisport event is 169 km.

The Dragon Challenge will push all participants to their mental and physical limits but within a relative comfort zone.

The 2009, 2010 and 2011 Dragon Challenge routes will all be different. The 2009 will include the scenic Southern Drakensberg

When is it?
21st of February to the 24th of February 2008

Accommodation and Seconding
All seconding is to be arranged by each participant. Booking of accommodation for the participant/s and the seconders along the route is entirely the participant/s responsibility.

Drak Challenge
Entry into the Drak challenge is entirely the responsibility of the participant/s and CSA Rules apply

Contact
My African Adventures
Race Director: Todd Clark
Phone: +27824402143 or +27333975017
todd@myafricanadventures.com
www.vcx.co.za/The_Dragon_Challenge.htm