2024 Kaapsehoop Mountain Ultra

Entries Open

FRESH Kaapsehoop Mountain Ultra on 10 August 2024

KAAPSEHOOP

Quaint, cloudy and calm – this is Kaapsehoop . Set atop a mountain pass on the Drakensberg escarpment above Nelspruit, it comes slowly into view, as if appearing out of the mists of time.

The gravel streets are lit by lantern-style lights and the town has a series of quaint shops and eateries. It has a lovely moderate climate- making it a lot cooler up there during summer whilst the Lowveld bakes.

Most appealing though is a herd of wild horses that makes the plateau its home. The village is particularly regardful of their horses (there are about 200 of them) that range at will among the houses and on the plateau beyond.

Their blue swallows are unique, as well as a series of ancient stones, known as Adam’s Calendar, that suggest an ancient and mystical history of mankind.

Blue swallow are rarely seen in South Africa. Part of the escarpment is declared a blue swallow natural heritage site.

From up here there are incredible views over the Lowveld, particularly of the Baberton valley, known as De Kaap Valley. It was also known as the ‘valley of death’ because of the prevalence of malaria, which Kaapsehoop evaded (and continues to do so), because of its altitude.

Kaapsche Hoop, the original Dutch spelling of the town’s name, came into existence as part of the 1873 gold rush. It’s very name means ‘hope of the Cape’! This refers to the prospector’s hopes for gold.

What a great setting to present a Fresh Trails experience of pristine trail running!!!!

DATE AND DISTANCES

10 August 2024 (Saturday):

69km, Elevation gain 2750m, 6 x Aid Stations (Entries close 31July)

45km, Elevation gain 1800m, 4 x Aid Stations (Late Entries available on the day at extra R100)

17km 540 Elevation gain 1 x Aid Station (Late Entries available on the day at extra R50) Dog on Leash Friendly

8km 235 Elevation gain 1 x Aid Station (Late Entries available on the day at extra R50) Dog on Leash Friendly

Province: Mpumalanga

Town: Kaapsehoop

Race Village: Kaapsehoop Pear Orchard Picnic Site

Trail Description: Plantation jeep track and flowing single track; Kaapsehoop rock formations; grassland escarpment with misty mountains and plantations.

TIME

09 August 2024 @ Kaapsehoop Race Village:

Registration, compulsory kit checks and late entries 16h00 – 18h00

10 August 2024 @ Kaapsehoop Race Village:

Late Registration 04h30-05h30 69km Kaapsehoop (no late entries 69km)

Late Registration & Entries 04h30 – 06h30 45km, 17km & 8km (07h30)

Race Start Time:

69km 06h00 (race briefing 05h45)

45km 07h00 (race briefing 06h45)

17km 07h30 (Race briefing 07h15) Dog Friendly

8km 08h00 (Race briefing 07h45) Dog Friendly

Prize Giving (17km, 45km & 8km) 13h00 at Race Village

Prize Giving (69km ) 19h00 Saturday at Race Village

COSTS

69km = R1400 (Entries close 31Jul)

45km = R600 (late entry R100 extra) 4 x Aid Stations

17km = R300 (late entry R50 extra) 1 x Aid Station

8km = R220 (late entry R50 Extra) 1 x Aid Station

Race Shirt = R350

Race Cap = R350

INCLUDED

TRUCKER CAP or Buff 69km

FINISHER MEAL 69km

FRESH MOUNTAIN HOSPITALITY

GREAT TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

WATER POINTS ON ROUTE AND FINISH

MEDAL OR CRAFT BEER FOR FINISHERS

WELL MARKED ROUTE

MEDICAL STAFF

ABLUTION FACILITIES

FOOD AND REFRESHMENT STALLS

Compulsory Equipment

Item	Comment	Compulsory for Distance
Beanie / Buff	One of either	45km/69km
Cap / Visor	One of either	69km
Long Thermal Tights	Sub-zero Temps are Possible	Optional
Thermal Top	Sub-zero Temps are Possible	45km/69km
Trail Running Shoes	Grip for Slippery surfaces	17km/45km/69km
Water / Windproof Jacket with Hood	Must have Hood with tape-sealed seams	17km/45km/69km
Gloves	Preferably thermal	Optional
Headlamp with Spare Batteries	Quality headlamp is vital.	69km
Hydration Pack Minimum 1.5l	Essential	45km/69km
GPS Handheld / GPS Watch with Spare Batteries	Must be fully charged / Spare Batteries	69km
Charged Cell phone	Must be fully charged	17km/45km/69km
Space Blanket	Essential	45km/69km
Whistle	Essential	45km/69km
Emergency Rations 2 X Energy Bars	Must be produced at finish unless used in emergency	45km/69km
Zip Lock Bag X 1	Essential for protecting Cellphone	17km/45km/69km
Cup or bottle	Kaapsehoop is a cup free event	17km/45km/69km

Trail and Route Discription:

Trail Description & Information

Kaapsehoop Mountain Ultra can be divided into 2 loops all returning to Kaapsehoop Pear Orchard which is also the start and finish of all the races.

69km Runners will do Blue Loop and then Yellow Loop.

45km Runners will do only Blue Loop.

17km Runners will do White Loop

8km Runners will do Red Map below

Route Information

69km

45km

17km

69km Kaapsehoop Mountain Ultra

Race consists of 2 loops, both starting at Race Village at the Kaapsehoop Pear Orchard and returning there. Blue Loop(anti-clockwise) & Yellow Loop(clockwise)

Start time: 06h00

Elevation Gain: 2750m

Check Points/Water Tables: 6

Cut Off: 14hours (20h00)

Drop Bag: Yes @ Kaapsehoop Village can use after first loop 45km

69km Blue loop (first loop) GPX

69km Yellow loop(second loop) GPX

Loop1: (blue loop)

Distance: 45km

Elevation Gain: 1800m

CP/Water Tables: X4 14km, 22km, 29km, 38km

Cut offs:

Ngodwana 11h00 (22km)

Narrows 14h00 (38km)

Pear Orchard 16h00 45(km)

Drop Bag: Yes @ Kaapsehoop Village after first loop 45km

Loop2: (Yellow loop)

Distance: 24.6km

Elevation Gain: 950m

CP/Water Tables: X1 9km

Cut offs:

Horse Trails 17h00

Pear Orchard 20h00

45km Route Info

45km Kaapsehoop Mountain Race will be on Blue Loop(anti-clockwise) that starts and ends in Race Village at Kaapsehoop Pear Orchard.

Start time: 07h00

Elevation Gain: 1800m

Check Points/Water Tables: 4

Cut Off: 8hours (15h00)

45km Blue loop GPX

Loop:

Distance: 45km

Elevation Gain: 1800m

CP/Water Tables: X4 14km, 22km, 29km, 38km

Cut offs:

Ngodwana 11h30

Narrows 14h00

Kaapsehoop Village 15h00

17km Route Info (Dog Friendly)

17km Kaapsehoop Mountain Race will be on Green Loop that starts and ends in Race Village at Kaapsehoop Pear Orchards.

Dog on leash friendly race.

Start time: 07h30

Elevation Gain: 539m

Check Points/Water Tables: 1

Cut Off: 6.5hours (14h00)

17km GPX

Green Loop:

Distance: 17km

Elevation Gain: 540m

CP/Water Tables: X1 7km

Cut offs:

Narrows 12h00

Kaapsehoop Village 14h00

8km Route Info (Dog Friendly)

8km Kaapsehoop Mountain Race will be on Red Loop that starts and ends in Race Village at Kaapsehoop Pear Orchards.

Dogs on leash welcome.

Start time: 08h00

Elevation Gain: 235m

Check Points/Water Tables: 1

Cut Off: 4hours (12h00)

Accommodation:

Fresh Runners Village:

10 x 2 sleeper Canvas Tents with Mattress for Friday and Saturday night. Bring own warm bedding, camp chairs etc.

Kaapsehoop Hiking hut:

Situated in the bo-dorp of Kaapsehoop. Kaapsehoop hut has basic amenities including flush toilets, showers – fuelled by a donkey boiler for a rare hot shower – and a lapa/braai area. No electricity. Bring
your own bedding, eating and cooking utensils.

Two rooms with 8 bunk beds each.

Options:

Whole hut for 2 nights 16 beds R8000
Per room for 2 nights 8 beds R4400
Per Bed for 2 nights R600

Barret’s Coaches

Barret’s Couches consist of two red railway coaches dating from the 1950s. They have been converted into comfortable accommodation. Recently renovated.

Barrett’s does have electricity. You can have a warm shower (without having to make a fire in a donkey boiler), you can charge appliances at the plug points in the outdoor kitchen and the coach compartments have lights.

The braai is stocked with plenty of firewood, but you need to bring your own cooking and eating utensils (as well as bedding).

Cost:

Per Bed for 2 nights R600

Guest house:

Kaapsche Hoop Guest House have made rooms available for runners at special tariff. Please contact Susan or Ria at

KAAPSCHE HOOP GASTEHUIS 082 450 3466 / 013 7344 161

Charity:

Kaapsehoop Mountain Ultra supports the Kaapsehoop Heritage Association by promoting their good work and raising funds with the event. Please buy a lucky draw ticket or donate any amount with your entry.