Here's some more info:
Date: 16 November 06h45-13h00
Venue: Kaapschehoop, Mpumalanga
Contact: Clive Smart - 082 894 0432
Event Website: Yes - Click Here
Enter Online: Yes - Click Here
Details:
6Km Race – 08h00
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
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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
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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.
