This event is organised by KZNTR

Umngeni River Run

The 70km Ultra event starts at Inanda Dam and finishes at Maweni Trail Centre on Saturday 24 August 2013. The route is incredibly beautiful being run in the most pristine parts of the Umngeni Valley. Many previous runners have been blown away by the experience.

The 22km half event starts at Nagle Dam and finishes Maweni Trail Centre.

Umngeni River Run Ultra (70km)

Race Description

Start to Inanda Dam Bridge:

The run starts on the northern side of Inanda Dam at Enanda Adventure Centre, which is 2 kms up the dirt road from the Dam Wall. The first 20 kms of the run roughly follow the edge of Inanda Dam although on several occasions the course cuts over hills rather than contouring on the edge of the dam. The course will be well marked through this section as there are many small cattle paths in the area. This section comprises of mostly single track and jeep track, but does have 4 sections of tar road, 3 of which are very short and one of 3 kms. A good track runs alongside the tar in each of these sections and runners are encouraged to make use of it for safety, there are however no rules against running on the tar. The first water table is at the 12km mark. During the first 15 kms there are several short steep climbs, but from 15 kms to 20 kms is relatively flat. My main piece of advice through this section is not to go out too hard, especially on the steeper sections. Hiking Poles may be very useful in taking a bit of strain opff the legs through these early stages.

Inanda Dam Bridge to Nagle Dam:

From the Inanda Dam Bridge the course goes up the Umngeni River on the valley floor, making for relatively easy running on a good dirt road. The 2^nd water table is located at Mbeje’s store at the 22km mark. 7 kms past the bridge at the headwaters to Inanda Dam runners will reach the Mqeku River where they will turn right and follow a path up the Mqeku. After 3 kms of running along the Mqeku River runners will reach a tar road onto which they will turn left and run along for 2 kms before being directed onto a dirt road where the 3^rd water table will be located. It is here that the big climb of the day starts! From the bottom to the top is 5.5kms, but there is respite in the middle of the hill for 1km. Runners will pass the half way point on the climb. From the top of the hill/mountain runners will see Nagle Dam. The run down the other side of the hill/mountain is fairly steep in places but less altitude is lost on the decent than the climb. On reaching Nagle Dam runners will run along the edge of the lower section of the dam, before running through the tunnel in the weir that separates the two sections of the Dam. All major turns will be well marked and marshals will be stationed to ensure that runners don’t go wrong. However this section has several long stretches with only one way to go. These sections will not be marked as the path ahead is very obvious.

Nagle Dam to Maweni Trail Centre

A good gravel road will take runners away from the Dam. On reaching the cattle grid at the exit to Nagle Dam runners will find the 4^th water table before following the fence line of the Nagle Dam Reserve which makes for quite a steep climb followed by a steep decent back down to the river. This is where the first river crossing is and requires runners to wade through the river at a knee deep crossing. After the crossing the course follows the river for about 750m before crossing the river again. This is the most technical section of the route and requires runners to hop across small rocks and wade through shallow water (also rocky), hiking poles or a sturdy stick will be very helpful through this section. Once the two crossings have been negotiated the remainder of the course is more simple as it follows the river on a good road and then track before climbing out the Umngeni Valley onto private sugar farms. The 5^th water table will be located halfway up this climb. The roads are good on the farms, but there is a hill appropriately named “Heartbreak Hill” to top things off a few kms before the end. Runners will enter Cumberland Nature Reserve with 4 kms to go. All major intersections will be marked and marshalled. Both river crossings will be manned by boats who will assist anyone who might struggle with this section. The finish line is at the farm house on Cumberland where runners will be able to enjoy some hot soup and bread, a hot shower and bonfire while discussing what will no doubt be a very memorable day.

GPS Co-ordinates:

Start: 29° 41’ 30” S, 30° 53’ 20” E

Water Table 1: 29° 39’ 35” S, 30° 50’ 19” E

Water Table 2: 29° 38’ 05” S, 30° 47’ 00” E

Water Table 3: 29° 35’ 59” S, 30° 43’ 09” E

Water Table 4: 29° 34’ 35” S, 30° 35’ 39” E

Water Table 5: 29° 34’ 17” S, 30° 31’ 08” E

Rules and Safety

Safety:

• A 4×4 medical vehicle will follow the run in the middle of the field.
• A motorbike medic will rove the field.
• All runners will be checked through the water tables which will act as official checkpoints.
• All runners are to carry a cell phone with the race organiser’s number (Andrew 0826034098) and the medic number (TBC) programmed into it, preferably on speed dial.

Compulsory Kit:

• 2l hydration capacity
• Waterproof
• Whistle
• Basic first aid kit
• Head Torch
• Hat/buff/beanie

Rules:

• The event starts at 6am at Enanda Adventure Centre on the northern side of Inanda Dam (see Directions)
• Runners must stay on the marked course at all times.
• Seconding at any stage of the race is permitted (see Seconders Guide)
• Runners must reach the fourth water Table (approximately 55km) by 3pm. This is the only cut-off.
• The organiser reserves the right to enforce any runner to withdraw from the race for any reason determined by the organiser.
• If a runner withdraws from the event the organiser (Andrew 0826034098) must be informed as soon as possible.
• No litter may dispose of litter on route. Litter must be disposed of at the water tables.
• All compulsory kit must be carried for the duration of the event.
• A Prize Giving will take place at the finish at 5pm.

Transport:

• Runners using the transport service will be required to be at Riverside Sports Club by 04.15 ready for departure at 4.30am.

• At Inanda, before the race starts runners will be given the opportunity to send hydration and food to each water table in containers no bigger than a 2l ice cream tub. Tog bags may also be sent to the end. Please make sure you place these items in the correct vehicles.
• The first vehicle to return to Riverside from Maweni Trail Centre will do so straight after the prize giving at 5pm.
• Another vehicle will leave for the Riverside from Maweni Trail Centre at 7pm.
• A final vehicle will transport any remaining runners once all runners requiring transport have completed the event.

 

Venue:

Maweni Trail Centre located next to Donovale Farm 20 minutes drive outside PMB.

Route Descriptions:

How to enter:

All pre-entries are done through WWW.ROAG.CO.ZA

Entries open on  1 May 2013

Shirts to all Ultra particpants

Entry Limit: 200 (100 Ultra and 100 Lite Entries Available)

Accommodation:

1. Basic Camping is available at Maweni Trail Centre (R40 pp)

2. Cumberland Nature Reserve (10 mins fro Maweni) has several huts/rooms available. Call Stell on 033 001 7538 or 082 376 5600 for bookings.

2. Acacia Bush Lodge (15 mins from Maweni) has self catering units available. Call Erica on 083 230 6244 or visit www.acaciabushlodge.co.za

3. PMB has a number of B&B’s and Hotels http://www.sa-venues.com/kwazulunatal/bandb/pietermaritzburg.php

Medical Provisions: Emergency Medical Services provide on course medical assistance as well as a gazebo clinic at the Start/Finish. Treatment on site during the course of the event is at no charge, however if it is determined by the medics that you need a hospital transfer this will be at the cost of the participant or their medical aid. A helicopter is on standby for extreme cases, the cost of calling the helicopter in and patient transfer is at the cost of the participant.

Contact person: Andrew Booth, Andrew@kzntrailrunning.co.za, 0826034098

Directions to Maweni:

From Durban via PMB: Travelling North on the N3, take the Ohrtmann Road off-ramp in Pietermaritzburg and turn right. Go over the highway and straight through the next set of robots, then turn right into Manning Avenue at the 2nd set of robots. Cross the Baynespruit stream and go straight through the first set of robot and then turn left at the 2nd set at the Shell Garage. Travel up the hill for +- 2 kms and turn right onto the Table Mountain Rd. The turn is sign posted: Table Mountain. Travel straight on this road for about 4kms and turn left onto the D319. Stay on the D319 following the signposts, keeping left where the road splits, for 5kms to Maweni.

From Hilton side: Travelling South take the Church Street off-ramp in Pietermaritzburg and turn left. Go straight through the first two sets of robots and turn right at the third set towards Greytown. Then at the next set of robots, before crossing the Baynespruit stream, turn right into Ohrtmann Rd. Go straight until the 1st set of robots and turn left into Manning Avenue. Cross the Baynespruit stream and go straight through the first set of robot and then turn left at the 2nd set at the Shell Garage. Travel up the hill for +- 2 kilometres and turn right onto the Table Mountain Rd. The turn is sign posted: Table Mountain. Travel straight on this road for about 4kms and turn left onto the D319. Stay on the D319 following the signposts, keeping left where the road splits, for 5kms to Maweni.