North Coast Ultra

Distance: 57.3km
Elevation gain: 1173m
Start time: 5:30am

Running at a classic South African ultra distance the North Coast Ultra now runs at 56km.

Starting out of Zinkwazi Lagoon Lodge the trail skirts town before joining the forest trail towards Nonoti River and Estuary. Here at the 5km mark, course hits the beach for the first time and it will stay on the beach for 8km heading down the coast (SW) before peeling off into the Blythedale Coastal Estate. Coastal Forest, Bamboo lined single track, plantation and some sugar cane is what the next 30km are made off. It’s also where a bit of the climbing comes in, but the highest point on the course is a mere 100m. This is not to say that the accumulation of ups and downs through this won’t hurt a bit. The course plants you back onto the beach at the Mdlotane River (NE corner of the estate) for a 3km of section of soft sand before diverting inland for 2km. But the last 5km are all beach before a bit of the hard stuff inside the last kilometre to finish back at the Zinkwazi Lagoon.

Course Route and Profile:

*Please note that courses are subject to change.

Distance: 33km
Elevation gain: 754m
Start time: 6:00am

Identical to the 56 km other than the loop in the Blythedale estate is much shorter. The first section of beach is also shorter as you exit and return to the beach for this loop is at the at the Mdlotane River. Finishes by running back up the beack with the same 2km interlude as the Ultra. The final 5km section of beach is going to be a push!

Course Route and Profile:

*Please note that courses are subject to change.

Distance: 23.1km
Elevation gain: 483m
Start time: 6:30am

Starting out of Zinkwazi Lagoon Lodge the trail skirts town before joining the forest trail towards Nonoti River and Estuary. Here at the 5km mark, course hits the beach for the first time and it will stay on the beach for 4km heading NE back to the Zinkwazi Lagoon. Finishes with some hard stuff, just like the 56km and 30km.

Course Route and Profile:

Please note that the following equipment is compulsory:

• Hydration Pack with minimum 3L capacity
• Suitable Trail Shoes
• High-calorie food
• LED Headlamp
• Whistle
• GPS tracker/watch
• Fully charged cell phone
• Waterproof jacket
• Two pairs of socks
• Space blanket
• Sunscreen

Recommended equipment:

• Sunglasses
• Sun Hat
• First Aid kit
• Vaseline or anti-chaffing cream

Friday 3 June

• 2 pm – Arrivals and Camp Set Up
• 4 pm – Registration and food and drinks stall open
• 6.45 pm – Race Briefing
• 8 pm – Registration Closes
• 9 pm – Camp Lights Out

*Please note that there will be no 3km run

Saturday 4 June

• 5am – Registration Opens
• 5.30am – Ultra Starts
• 6am – 30km Starts
• 6.30am – 10km Starts
• 7.30am – First 10km runner
• 9am First 30km runner
• 11am First Ultra Runner
• 12 Noon Prize Giving
• 5.30pm – Last Runner expected
• 6pm – Braai and campfire stories
• 10pm Camp Lights Out

Sunday 5 June

• Depart at Leisure