2016 Meiringspoort 12.5km & 21.1km Newsletter April 

2016 Meiringspoort 12.5km & 21.1km Newsletter April

2016 Meiringspoort on-line entry process

Entries will open on 5 May 2016 at 12H00. The entry portal being www.meiringspoort21.co.za   We again expect a rush for the limited entries to this popular event. (900 entries for the 12.5km and 2200 entries on the 21.1km)

The hosting company managing the website and entry process has assured us that the problems experienced in 2015 will not be repeated.   On-going tests of the process are being done. The hosting company will also do live monitoring of the entry portal on 5 May in order to attend to issues there and then.

Prospective entrants are encouraged to ensure that they have all the required info at hand when they start the process. The system is set to require your ID no and Running Club and ASA License detail.  Failing which the default option of a temporary number at R35 will be charged. Club members are enjoined to ensure that you record your correct 2016 ASA license number as this will be compared to the ASA database and you do not want to jeopardize your entry by supplying inaccurate or incorrect detail. Similarly, we will need your correct ID no. Not only for insurance purposes but also as in 2017 we will be offering “loyalty entries” to all who take part in 2016 – this “early access” to the entry portal at that time will be by ID no – so accuracy is important if you want to benefit from this in 2017.

Your entry will only be complete once payment has been made. This can only be done on-line via credit card or the on-line EFT offering. No direct deposits to a bank account will be accepted.  No other bank deposit will be accepted. Cardholder payments are reminded of the “3D Secure” part of the payment process.   All on-line merchants (we use the Payfast platform) are compelled to use this “3D Secure” when processing card transactions.  This is where your Bank sends you a one time pin (OTP) by SMS.  You need to enter this before the transaction can be completed.  A surprising number of people don’t know this or are confused by it.  They think that if they have entered their card number then they have paid.   This is not the case as the 3D Secure port needs to be completed as well.

Failing to complete the entry plus payment process on time could mean that you loose out to an entrant who actually starts the process after you.
Entrants will receive an email to this effect upon successful completion and payment of the on-line entry process.  Entrants will also be able to view the “My Accounts” screen on the website to view the status of their orders.

De Rust Striders, as organizers of the Meiringspoort21, will not be handling any part of the on-line entry process.  It will serve no purpose trying to contact them in these matters.
Athletics South Western Districts (ASWD) as custodian of athletics in this region will be handling the on-line entry process in its entirety.  The relevant contact detail is

• ASWD Office: 044 873 0023. (week days 08h00 to 16h00)
• Anna-Marie Harris: 044 693 0391 or 083 408 8336. (wef 7 May 2016)
• Des Harris: 044 693 0391 or 083 309 8732  (wef 7 May 2016)

Information on tightened controls at registration and substitutions will be shared in our next newsletter.

Meiringspoort  10km now a 12.5km

The organisers of the Meiringspoort event, being held for the 24th time on 15 October 2016, have made a change to the 10km run and walk, increasing the distance to 12.5km.

This decision was not made lightly. Input from participants and relevant authorities was all taken in consideration.

The number of vehicles on our roads continues to grow exponentially. Traffic through Meiringspoort is no exception.  The safety of all our participants is paramount.

By changing the start of the 10km and moving it back to the “Waterfall” parking area we are able to have a larger and safer area as drop off zone for participants.  Better ablution facilities are on offer and participants can expect a better service of tea, coffee, rusks etc.  You then are further into Meiringspoort at an official viewing point.  Traffic flow, pre start, will not be hampered as the full complement of runners can use the parking area as a holding area, not blocking a lane as has happened in the past.

A generous cut off time of 2.5 hours now is in place as well – giving the casual walker 12mins per km to complete the event.

The organisers trust that this change, taken in the best interests of all, will be embraced by all and contribute in taking the event to still greater heights.

Meiringspoort 10km word nou 12.5km

Die organiseerders van die 24e Meiringspoort, wat op 15 Oktober 2016 plaasvind, het besluit om die 10km afstand te verander tot ‘n 12.5km draf en stap.

Die besluit is na deeglike oorweeging en met insette van die owerhede asook ander belanghebbendes geneem.

Verkeer op ons paaie het oor die afgelope 20 jaar drasties toegeneem en groei steeds jaar op jaar. Verkeer deur Meiringspoort is dan ook geen uitsondering nie. Veiligheid van die deelnemers en amptenare is ononderhandelbaar.

Deur die begin van die “10km”  dieper die Poort in tot by die “Waterval” uitspan area te neem bied vele voordele bo die langer afstand.  Die aflaai sone is groter en veiliger; daar is beter ablusie geriewe; beter fasiliteite vir die aanbied van tee, koffie, beskuit, edm.   Deelnemers kan ook meer van die Poort se prag inneem. Verkeersvloei voor aanvang van wedloop word nie tot een baan beperk nie omdat al die deelnemers in die parkeerarea kan saamdrom.

Die afsnytyd is ook verander na 2.5 uur.  Dit gee die geleentheid stappers ‘n ruim 12 min per km om die wedloop te voltooi.

Die organiseerders vertrou dat hierdie verandering, in die beste belang van almal geneem, ook so deur almal omarm sal word en sal bydra om die wedloop na nog groter hoogtes te neem.

2016 SPONSORS

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

Klein Karoo International

Klein Karoo Agri

Klein Karoo Toyota

De Rustica Olive Estate

De Zeekoe Guest Farm

JW Saad

AIFA

SAB Castle Lite

J & E Communications

James, King & Badenhorst Prokureurs

Rawson Properties

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