South Africa\'s Addo Elephant run expands to include a 25-miler.

21.03.2009

South Africa\'s Addo Elephant run expands to include a 25-miler!

But don’t despair – we’re still offering the 100-miler and the 50-miler runs!

All races start Saturday May 2nd at 6am. Entries close April 26th 009

Experience the thrill of running wild! Tackle the 100 Mile, 50 Mile or 25 Mile Trail Run through the vast Addo Elephant National Park (75km from Port Elizabeth) and experience the remoteness of the Eastern Cape’s bushveld. Designed to test trail runners both mentally and physically, the trail tracks the mountains and valleys of the park. Runners are challenged to run primarily on tracks within the park itself as well as some stretches of gravel roads. If you are fit enough to go the distance – come and experience the unrivalled natural diversity of the park’s vegetation and wildlife.

Logistics: Runners are required to run with a small pack to carry two drinking bottles or a bladder. For environmental reasons, no cups or sachets will be provided at the checkpoints – water bottles will be filled. Check Points are stocked with bottled water, energy drinks, cola, tea, coffee, soup, boiled potatoes, jam and peanut butter sandwiches, oranges, bananas and sweets. Personal supplies can be put into clearly marked Drop Bags and handed in at registration. These Drop Bags will be taken to the specified Check Points.

Registation: Registration will be held at the Lapa at the Addo Elephant National Park Main Rest Camp from 13:00 on Friday, 01 May 2009.

Medical assistance: There will be a doctor and nurses along the route, as well as a 4x4 ambulance with paramedics and the Mountain Search and Rescue Team in vehicles.

100 Miler Route: Starts at Kirkwood at 06:00 on Saturday, 02 May 2009, and the route winds it’s way over the mountains, into the Sundays River Valley and then across the escarpment of the Zuurberg Mountains, to finish at the Addo Elephant Park Main Rest Camp. There are 18 Check Points along the route. The 100 Miler participants can arrange a pacer to run with them from Check Point 11 (96km mark) to the finish. The finisher’s belt buckle concept is being introduced for the 100 Miler, with a silver buckle for all finishers under 24hrs and a bronze buckle for all finishers under 30hrs. Cut-off time is 30hrs and there will be cut-off times at various checkpoints.

50 Miler Route: Starts at Kirkwood at 06:00 on Saturday, 02 May 2009. The 50 Miler follows a section of the 100 Miler route. There are 8 Check Points along the route. There is no cut-off times at the check-points for the 50Miler, but all participants must finish by 12:00 on Sunday, which is the cut-off for the 100Miler. All finishers of the 50Miler will receive a miniature hand blown glass elephant from Ngwenya Glass which will be given to the participants at the finish.

25 Miler Route: Starts at Kirkwood at 06:00 on Saturday, 02 May 2009. The 25 Miler follows a section of the 100 Miler and 50 Miler route. There are 6 Check Points along the route. There is no cut-off times at the check-points for the 25Miler, but all participants must finish by 19:00 on Saturday, 02 May 2009. All finishers of the 25Miler will receive a token (to be decided) which will be given to the participants at the finish.

Prize giving: Prize-giving will be at the Addo Elephant National Park Main Rest Camp at 14:00 on Sunday, 03 May 2009. Participants of the 100 Miler will be called out individually to receive their buckles and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Mens and Ladies trophies for the 100 Miler, 50 Miler and 25 Miler will be handed out.

For more info: www.extrememarathons.com