Start & Finish at NG Church grounds, De Rust
Start 07:30
Energy drinks will be available at the finish
The cut-off time for the 9.5km is 2hours
The cut-off time for the 19.5km is 4 hours
First aid is available on most of the route and at the finish
Ablution facilities will be available at start and finish
Race results available at finish
Collection of race number and IPICO chip will take place on Saturday 27 May from 06:00 – 07:00 at the Church grounds, De Rust
Trail Description
Meiringspoort Trail Run starts in De Rust next to the NG Church. The race also ends there. The start is at 473m above sea level and the highest point is at 800m above sea level. Most of the way is on a Landrover track, except for the first km in town. There are stretches though, where the Landdrover won’t even dare to go. Near the finish is a 1.5 km stretch next to the river where there is only a footpath normally used by game like kudu when they needed to go to lower grazing. You certainly will get your feet wet as you cross the river 7 times. When you leave town, you run through ostrich camps and then on a footpath until you reach Spookdrift – that’s the first bridge on the N12 in Meiringspoort. There you cross the river and head towards the farm Meiersrust. You pass the cattle handling facility and then along Interstate 5. That is only one of the interesting features of this farm where the owner named his roads after the American Highways. There is a stretch on Meiersrust where you climb 180m over 1.5km. Keep your eyes open for occasional Klipspringer there.
After the steep climb, you pass through the stone gate. You would probably now see Eland (there are also 2 small calves) grazing with the cattle. You will soon be on the101 Freeway. After that, you’ll pass Mrs Jamneck’s grave. Be assured that if you see pink flowers on her grave in full bloom, you’ll see rain within 2 or 3 days. On your right hand side, is the stone house in which Mrs Jamneck raised her 12 children in the 1800’s.
Then you enter a canyon that runs alongside a dam, where you should keep a lookout for the resident Hoop-Hoop. A quick dip would be ok if it was summer. You then run downhill to the Meiringspoort lookout. Here you can catch a glimpse of the N 12 winding through Meiringspoort far far below. From here you have a climb of 160 meters to the highest point of the run (at 800m above sea level) from where you will have majestic views of the Kammanassie and Outeniqua mountains in the distance.
From there you run downhill on Interstate 10 to Interstate 5 over “Twee Bekke se nek” into the “Raadsaal se Kloof”. After that, you start running along the Huis River. You might be tempted to taste the sweet water from the river. There is a small waterfall to look out for. Beautiful.
At 1,6km from the finish, you pass the old historic watermill where they still ground flour from wheat during the Second World War. The water wheel is still there. Voëlgesang Guest House is on your left and shortly after that, you cross the N12 with Landmark on your right.
Certainly a race for the adventurous and nature lovers! If you rather feel to leave the route to the fit and healthy, it could just be better to join us at the finish and cheer the runners across the line.
Rules
- The wearing of club clothes is not mandatory.
- Only the event race number will be worn on the front of the vest.
- Immediate disqualification if a runner tampers with the route markings.
- Immediate disqualification if a runner is caught littering.
- Immediate disqualification if a runner damages the trail or any vegetation.
- Two water points will be available on 19.5km / one on 9.5km.
- Minimum age for entering is 16 years.
- No substitutions will be allowed. No refunds.
- Closing Date for entries is 23 May 2017 or as soon as 300/150 entries have been taken.
- Start chutes close strictly at 07:15 on race day for compulsory race briefing. Arrivals after this time will not be allowed to start.
GENERAL
- Start & Finish at NG Church grounds, De Rust.
- Start 07:30
- Energy drinks will be available at the finish.
- The cut-off time for the 9.5km is 2hours
- The cut-off time for the 19.5km is 4 hours.
- First aid is available on most of the route and at the finish.
- Ablution facilities will be available at start and finish.
- Race results available at finish.
REGISTRATION
- This is a pre-entry event.
- Late entries (if available) will be accepted from 06:00 – 07:00.
- Only cash will be accepted for late entries. No debit or credit card facilities will be available.
- Enter online at www.meiringspoortchallenge.co.za Pre-entries close on 23 May 2017 at 12:00.
- The collection of the race number and IPICO time chip (if applicable) will take place on Saturday 27 May 2017 from 06:00 – 07:00 at the Church grounds, De Rust.
PRIZE GIVING
- Prize giving will be at 11:30 at Church Hall, De Rust.
- Athletes are responsible to collect their own prize money or make an alternative arrangement with the Event Organizer.
- Lucky draw prizes will be forfeited if the athlete is not present.
IPICO RACE TIMING
ASWD Licensed athlete take note: Forget your IPICO chip – you will have to pay R20 to loan one for the race. Lost your chip – you will have to pay R75 for a replacement chip.
An IPICO timing chip will be made available, on a loan basis, to all participants apart from ASWD licensed athletes who are to use their current personalised chips. The chip is to be worn on your shoe for the duration of the event. The loan chips are to be handed back at the end of the race in exchange for a medal. Participants will be held responsible for lost or damaged chips or those not handed back as required. It remains your responsibility to return the chip to the race organizer even in the event of not completing the race.
ENQUIRIES
General: Pieter Schoeman 082 377 0547 / meiringspoortchallenge@gmail.com
Race Day Entries/Timing: Des Harris 083 309 8732 / online@aswd.co.za
Accommodation: Karen 082 786 8491 / info@housemartin.co.za
