Come and enjoy awesome night time running with us at Casterbridge.
An adventure for the whole family. Though tree tunnels, over dam walls and along some single track. All will be able to enjoy this route without having to buy dedicated trail gear.
Walkers welcome on the 4km route.
Prizes sponsored by Liquor City. Thanks a stack guys you are really an awesome group!
Stay for some great Liquor City spot prizes at prize giving and enjoy the Magnolia Café pizza!
Event Date :
Friday 30 May 2014
Event Time :
Registration: 17h30 Trail Run: 18h30
Province :
Mpumalanga
Venue :
Magnolia Café, Casterbridge, White River
Costs :
Under 16 - FREE Over 16 - R50.00
Contact :
Clive Smart
Contact No :
082 894 0432
Misty Mountains Winter Warmer 2014 28 June 2014
Nestled in the Northern Drakensberg mountains on the Long Tom Pass between Lydenburg and Sabie, the Misty Mountain resort offers the trail runner real value for money. The trails take one through magical pine forests, past waterfalls and over crystal clear streams. Medals to all finishers.
The 6k route is ideally suited to the novice trail runner and walkers of all ages and is a mini version of the longer trails without the technical sections.
The 12km & 20km routes have a few real gnarly sections, some of which will require you to get your hands dirty. That said, they are not dangerous and the 12km is a great tester for the aspiring trail enthusiast.
The 20km route has some 800m of vertical ascent, most coming in the second half.
The Misty Mountain Trails, maintained by the owners, take one into dense natural vegetation in the kloofs and along the escarpment edge, presenting spectacular views of the Lowveld below. The average elevation is 1700m. The property is a National Heritage site and the indigenous forests are magical, and the streams refreshing. The hospitality of the staff is old world and the food will break anyone's diet.
Accommodation Special at Misty Mountain
Please visit the Misty Mountain website for details of their Valentines Trail Runner specials! Up to 30% off your accommodation bill!
20km
Runners must carry at least 1.5lt water. There will be ONE aid station with water and nutrition on the route.
SORRY NO WALKERS!
Minimum age on race day: 18 years old.
Cost: R120.00
12km
Runners should carry at least 1.0lt. There will be ONE aid station with water and nutrition on the route.
Minimum age on race day: 16 years old.
Cost: R80.00
6km
Minimum age on race day: 10 years old.
Cost: R50.00
Programme
Saturday 15th February 2014
06h15 - 07h30 Registrations at Start - Misty Mountain Resort
07h15 - 20km & 12km Trail Briefing
07h30 - 20km & 12km Trail Run starts
07h40 - 6km Trail Briefing
07h45 - 6km Trail Run starts
11h30 Prize Giving
General Information
Registration starts at 06h15 and the races start from 07h30 on Saturday 15th February.
Prize giving is to be held at 11h30 at the start / finish area. Medals to all finishers.
There is food and beverage available on the venue, please support our hosts, Misty Mountain they have really come to the party and we would love to return to the venue in the future.
Time to run a proper trail! One our members, Clive Smart, will be hosting a trail race up at Kaapsehoop on Saturday. Don't miss out on this one, you wont regret it! Here's some more info:
The 6km route (fun run) is for the whole family with most of the run on single track on the beautiful, plateu edge.
12Km Race – Start Time: 07h45
The 12km race is well suited for the novice runner or road junkies who would like to cross over to the other side!!!!! The route is on good paths most of the time with no serious hills. There will be one water point on this circular route and lots of good food & beer at the end.
20Km Race – Start Time: 07h45
The 20km route is a circlular route. This is not for the novice runner with 30% of the run on technical rocky terrain. Definite ankle twisters if you are not well prepared for off road running.
You will be expected to carry at least 1.5 liters of water as there is only water point at the 6km mark You may want to include some food.
Entry Fees
6km – R50 pre-entry and R60 on the day
12km – R80 pre-entry and R90 on the day
20Km – R120 pre-entry and R130 on the day
Pre entries to close 13 November)
Compulsory Gear:
All terrain footwear
A backpack capable of carrying 1.5l of fluid
Hat and sun block
Cold and wet weather gear (rain jacket, light fleece or polypro long sleeve top, beanie or buff)
Whistle
Cell phone that is fully charged
A very big THANK YOU to Komatiland Forests for helping to make this event a success.
We will be starting at Bohemian Groove Cafe (Third building on the left as you enter the village of Kaapschehoop).
All routes are run on the popular Berlin Hiking Trail on land managed by Komatiland Forests. I would like to thank them for their help in obtaining the nessesary permits etc.
The trail distances and return loops were identified by a Comrades Gold medalist, Rudi Du Plessis, now living in the village. He has the privilege of maintaining the Berlin trails and gets to spend his days in settings we can only dream of. His knowledge of the area, its ecology and history made my exploration a very fascinating experience.
Starting in Kaapschehoop, the trails run through the village turning right towards the Kaapschehoop Overnight hut of trail.
The route follows the Kaapschehoop to Florence Hills route all along the escarpment edge. The 6km route turns back to the village through the blue swallow reserve. The 12km course turns back behind the Blue Swallow Reserve. The 20km route turn back at the Trig Beacon after passing Adam's Calendar, an interesting archeological site. After some winding through forestry plantations the 20km course rejoins the the 12km route, past the stone miners hut on the left and the diggings on the right. The largest gold nugget found in South Africa, the "Peacock Nugget" was found in this area in 1912.
Route Maps & Profiles
Clicking on the maps below will enlarge them - Please note that they are large (1Mb+) and will take a while to load.
The maps are NOT 'North UP' (see top right of each picture for North)
Red Route 20km
Click twice to enlarge - Press Esc to close
The route is a combination of single track, jeep track and some graded dirt roads. Once out of the village it follows the Kaapschehoop - Florence Hills route all along the escarpment edge. The 50m detour to the look out at 2.2km is worth the delay. You now set of along the escarpment edge with specular view (weather permitting). After passing Adam's Calendar (7.7km), an interesting archeological site, the route heads around the escarpment towards the 'Trig Beacon' at the 8.5km mark at a hight of 1706m. The trail cuts across to return route from Florence Hills about 4km short of the hut. You start a steady climb back up to 1695m After running through forestry plantations with enormous pine trees, the course rejoins with the the 12km route, past the stone miners hut on the left (18km) and the diggings on the right. It is pretty much down hill all the way home now. Crossing the main tarred road (please take care), you run through the Pear Orchard, along the ravine edge, cross the road again, back to Bohemian Groove Cafe.
Blue Route 11.4km
Click twice to enlarge - Press Esc to close
The route is a combination of single track, jeep track and some graded dirt roads. Once out of the village it follows the Kaapschehoop - Florence Hills route all along the escarpment edge. The 50m detour to the look out at 2.2km is worth the delay. You now set of along the escarpment edge with specular view (weather permitting). At the 6km mark the trail leaves the 20km route and cuts across to return route from Florence Hills where it rejoins the 20km trail. After running along side forestry plantations with enormous pine trees you pass the stone miners hut on the left (8.8km) and the diggings on the right. It is pretty much down hill all the way home now. Crossing the main tarred road (please take care), you run through the Pear orchard, along the ravine edge, cross the road again back to Bohemian Groove Cafe.
White Route 6.4km
Click twice to enlarge - Press Esc to close
Running most of the way on existing trails the route is a combination of single track, jeep track and some graded dirt roads. Once out of the village it follows the Kaapschehoop - Florence Hills route all along the escarpment edge. The 50m detour to the look out at 2.2km is worth the delay. You now set of along the escarpment edge with specular view (weather permitting). At 4.3km you leave the 20 & 12km trails, turning right down agravel jeep track to the main tarred road (please take care crossing). You now run towards the Pear Orchard but turn right just before you get there, along the ravine edge, cross the road again back to Bohemian Groove Cafe.
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!
Click to enlarge
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!
Click to enlarge
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.
