Matumi Trail 17 August 2013
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White Route 8.5km
Heading off along the banks of the Mac Mac River the trail winds around enormous matumi, forest big leaf, waterberry, white stinkwood and mitzeri trees. Beware, their roots are waiting to grab that weary ankle. The route has technical sections and about 2km of very old jeep track. The trees drop their leaves year round, but more so in the winter months, hiding the rocks that abound the trail. Running under a dense leafy canopy for most of the trail, I would not recommend wearing sun glasses as they tend to hide the uneven ground. If you want to admire a sight along the way, stop and look, don't break your concentration while running, you will take a tumble.
The Matumi picnic spot is just across the bridge at the 4.3km mark. Take some time to look around while you enjoy some 32Gi energy drink before you set off back down the opposite bank for a very technical route home. Except for one sharp climb it is all down hill along the banks of the Mac Mac River. Get ready to get the feet wet, the finish lies on the opposite bank of the river and you have to cross it to get home. Remember, stick to the sand as the pock are slippery and the water is cold!
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Blue Route 14.4km
Starting off, with the 20+km runners, along the quad and mountain bike tracks the trail heads West along the banks of the Sabie River. Zig-zagging and winding up and around the hills you run through 'Blue Gum' plantations, some of which are being harvested. watch out for logs and branches that may lie across your path.
Just before 5km you round a bend and a spectacular view of the Sabie River tumbling down a water fall and over massive granite boulders requires you stop for a few seconds to take it all in. You then set off to run around a ravine to meet up with the river above the falls. Gently climbing up you reach the highest point on the rout at the 8km mark. After a kilometre of undulating forest you start a sharp 400m decent to the 'Induna Cross Roads' where you will find the first water point at 9.3km. You will turn left at the water point for an 800m short cut to the bridge on the Mac Mac River.
The Matumi picnic spot is just across the bridge at the 4.3km mark. Take some time to look around while you enjoy some 32Gi energy drink before you set off back down the opposite bank for a very technical route home. Except for one sharp climb it is all down hill along the banks of the Mac Mac River. Get ready to get the feet wet, the finish lies on the opposite bank of the river and you have to cross it to get home. Remember, stick to the sand as the rocks are slippery and the water is cold!
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Red Route 21.5km
Starting off, with the 14km runners, along the quad and mountain bike tracks the trail heads West along the banks of the Sabie River. Zig-zagging and winding up and around the hills you run through 'Blue Gum' plantations, some of which are being harvested. watch out for logs and branches that may lie across your path.
Just before 5km you round a bend and a spectacular view of the Sabie River tumbling down a water fall and over massive granite boulders requires you stop for a few seconds to take it all in. You then set off to run around a ravine to meet up with the river above the falls. Gently climbing up you reach the highest point on the rout at the 8km mark. After a kilometre of undulating forest you start a sharp 400m decent to the 'Induna Cross Roads' where you will find the first water point at 9.3km. You now leave the 14km runners and head back down the trail for a very fast 3.6km section.
Just before you get back to the Sabie River you head off along the banks of the Mac Mac River. The trail winds around enormous matumi, forest big leaf, waterberry, white stinkwood and mitzeri trees. Beware, their roots are waiting to grab that weary ankle. The route has technical sections and about 2km of very old jeep track. The trees drop their leaves year round, but more so in the winter months, hiding the rocks that abound the trail. Running under a dense leafy canopy for most of the trail, I would not recommend wearing sun glasses as they tend to hide the uneven ground. If you want to admire a sight along the way, stop and look, don't break your concentration while running, you will take a tumble.
The Matumi picnic spot is just across the bridge at the 17km mark. Take some time to look around while you enjoy some 32Gi energy drink before you set off back down the opposite bank for a very technical route home. Except for one sharp climb it is all down hill along the banks of the Mac Mac River. Get ready to get the feet wet, the finish lies on the opposite bank of the river and you have to cross it to get home. Remember, stick to the sand as the rocks are slippery and the water is cold!
Please Note
These routes may change slightly depending on agricultural activity or extreme weather. Ilanga Trail Series will attempt to keep all route maps and profiles up to date. We may be forced to re-route sections at the last minute and these changes will be made known at registration on the Friday and at the start on Saturday.
We thank the land owners for their generosity, without which this route would not be possible.
All map images from Google Maps
For more info please visit http://ilangatrailseries.co.za/
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