Otter African Trail Run 2011 time incentives announced

Tuesday, 21 June 2011 16:07

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Hi-Tec tempts and teases with R5,000 Otter carrot

Booked a year in advance, the Otter Hiking Trail was the only way to do this coastal trail within the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park. Then, three years ago – in consultation with SANParks, The Otter African Run was created. That year, the winning runner, Iain Don-Wauchope of KZN, completed the five-day, 42-kilometre hiking trail a few seconds under the five hour mark. This year, presenting sponsor Hi-Tec is offering a R5,000 reward to runners breaking 04h30 and 05h00 in the men’s and women’s races respectively.

 

 

The Otter African Run and Ramble presented by Hi-Tec has evolved to incorporate two races. The events are identical but for dates and cut-off times. The more-competitive Run is held over 29 and 30 September and has an eight-hour cut-off; the Ramble retains a generous 11-hour cut-off and takes place over 1 and 2 October 2011.

Magnetic South, the event organisers, schedule dates for the event in consultation with SANParks. “Because the Otter Run and Ramble events take place on South Africa’s most sought-after trail, which is fully booked year round, it requires the closing down of the trail five days in advance of the event to clear the trail of hikers,” says event director Mark Collins. The event now forms part of Park’s annual management plan as the trail is shut down and the overnight huts are vacant for the period surrounding the event. This affords management the opportunity to perform routine maintenance on the trail and huts without the loss of income.

The decision to host a trail run on the Otter Trail was not taken lightly by SANParks management. Collins presented the event concept at a planning meeting to more than 20 SANParks area managers, environmental scientists and senior Garden Route National Park personnel.

“After my presentation a heated debate took place, which was eventually silenced by the then General Manager of the Garden Route National Park, Dr Nomvuselelo Songwela (she is now General Manager of SANParks). She said they should give us a chance. A brave and progressive decision, I thought,” says Collins.

“We were very proud to be able to say that following the successful staging of the first two events SANParks now views the event as a credit to the Garden Route National Park and a celebration of the Otter Trail.”

This year’s Otter Run field looks to be the most competitive. Last year, Andre Gie, defending champion and record holder, beat Iain Don-Wauchope by 12 seconds to set the current men’s record of 04:48:53. Gie is running again this year and he’ll be challenged by Hi-Tec ambassador Bruce Arnett, who came fourth in 2009. Other runners with the ability to take the podium are Dion Middlekoop, Rohan Kennedy, Cas van Aardenne, Greg Goodall, John Collins and Victor Gugusha.

In the women’s race, KZN's Jeannie Dreyer (formerly Bomford) is the runner to beat. In 2010 she set a record time of 5:17:12. Taking 17-minutes off this to run sub-five hour won’t be easy. Bomford will be up against Michelle Lombardi, who finished only five minutes behind her last year. Third-placed Jacqueline Haasbroek is also in contention.

Collins believes that the person able to win Hi-Tec’s award needs a talent for technical running and perfect race conditions to do a sub 4:30. “In terms of speed, they would need to be a 2:20 to 2:25 marathon runner,” he says.

“Our association with both The Otter African Trail Run and SANParks demonstrates our commitment to contributing to the outdoor lifestyle,” says Hi-Tec’s marketing manager Ian Little. He describes the Run and Ramble events as the ultimate trail running challenge for the recreational and committed trail runner.

“The marathon distance of 42 kilometres resonates with runners and it is very much a running race, not a part hike, part run,” Little adds. “We’re certain that at least one of the records will be broken this year but we will get even more pleasure handing over the R5,000 Hi-Tec award for sub-04h30 and sub-05h00 men’s and women’s times”.

About The Otter African Run & Ramble presented by Hi-Tec

The Otter African Run will be held over 29 and 30 September 2011. The race has an eight-hour cut-off (previously 11 hours). The Otter African Ramble takes place over 1 and 2 October 2011 and it retains the more generous 11-hour cut-off. For more details on these races visit www.magneticsouth.net

2010 results

Men’s race, won by Andre Gie in 4:48:53 (men’s record)
Women’s race, won by Jeannie Bomford in 5:17:12 (women’s record)
Men’s VET race, won by Trevor Tourien in 5:13:03
Woman’s VET race, won by Michelle Lombardi in 05:22:39

 

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