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Kruger2Canyon Challenge – It’s part of our lifestyle!

Dear Trail Runners and Walkers,

The Lowveld has always been special to Andrew & I and we have always sought out the bushveld whenever we can. Whether it is for an extended holiday or travelling through (because booking into a camp in the Kruger National Park is better than any AirBnB), we often find a reason! So we look forward to July with glee, when we head north for the Kruger2Canyon Challenge! Invariably days get added on before and after the race, our house-sitter bill soars, and the gypsy van is bulging at the seams when we head off for what turns into an epic 2 – 3 week journey every year. Our children have developed circles of friends up there. We can tell you all the best campsites to overnight in en route from KZN. And we can give a detailed description of what each camp in Kruger is like to run in! Because it’s a lifestyle.

Kruger2Canyon Challenge

  • Venue: Franklyn Park, Kampersrus, Limpopo
  • Date: 6 – 7 july 2019
  • Day 1: 42km | 26km Mariepskop Mountain Running
  • Day 2: 28km | 18km Bushveld Running

For more information:

Part of the KZNTR Big 6 events, the Kruger2Canyon Challenge is a stage race (single day entries also available) with two distances available each day. While the magnificent mountain day has a reputation for being brutally tough, the bushveld on Day 2 is comparatively flat and smooth. Plus you get to run in a Big 4 conservancy (lion, leopard, ellies & rhino). Seriously, the best of both worlds! Stunning race venue and campsite, hearty Lowveld food & beverage, KidZone and community. Although Full Packages are sold out, there are still self-camp or race only options to join in at Kruger2Canyon Challenge 2019!
 
See you on the trail (or maybe in Kruger!!),
Lauren and the KZNTR Team

Mac Mac Ultra Race Report - Andrew Booth

Having not got far into UTD160 4 weeks before, I was apprehensive about what Mac Mac 100 miler would have in store for me. I focused in on mental and core strength in those 4 short weeks between the two events. 6 days hiking through Kruger (yup, we take EVERY opportunity to get up here!!) 10 days before was ideal for this, especially considering I had some of my closest Ultra running friends with me.

I arrived at the start in Pilgrim’s Rest feeling ready and engaged with the race. We had a few hours before the 12noon start to bond and chat with what is becoming a close group of Ultra runners. Lots of the regular faces were there.
 
Expecting a very tough course I went out slowly, second to last through the first aid station didn’t worry me in the slightest. Slowly building a head of steam up I moved through the field a bit and found myself in a merry group of 4 that stayed together for most of the night. I find the people I meet on course one of the most special part of running 100 milers. People you never knew become good friends in hours. You share a space that bonds you in a way that would normally take months or years.
 
I went through ups and downs. I decided to try a new strategy and harness some energy from those watching my dot on the tracking. Great comms across the course enabled the exchange of many voice messages that carried me through quite a few tough moments even at some crazy early morning hours.
 
Our group split and regrouped a few times. We ticked off the aid stations, drinking lots of tea and coffee as we went. And slowly what seemed like an impossible distance at the outset became tangible. With 30km to go we descended down a 6km technical section on the Fanie Botha Trail that took almost 2 hours!! Patience was the name of the game, a very handy attribute to have when taking on the ultras…. a few hours is a short space of time on a 100 miler.

When the finish line came it was 20 very enthusiastic crew cheering us in. In a proud moment I realised that this would all have no meaning if it weren’t for our incredible trail running community. It is a true gift – thank you to each and every one who makes up that community!
 
See you all next time!

RNNP manager participates in MAS for the first time!

This morning the WildSERIES Mont-Aux-Sources Challenge team met to discuss details of the event and with many exciting changes afoot, we are getting excited!

None more so than Stephen Richert, the Reserve Manager of Royal Natal National Park. He may know the logistics of hosting the race inside and out, but this will be the first time that he will stand on the start line as a participant in the oldest trail run in South Africa! 
 
Stephen will be in good company, as WildSERIES’s Hanno Langenhoven will line up along side him for his 5th “Monties”.
 
If you’ve run these trails before, like Stephen, you know of the enormity of the mountains and the challenge they present, as well as the wonder of summiting them!

Event Information

  • Date: Saturday 7 September 2019
  • Venue: Mahai Campsite, Royal Natal National Park
  • Distance: 50km

For More Information: