Contact: http://www.rhodesrun.za.net/
Location: The hamlet of Rhodes lies in the southern Drakensberg, alongside the trout rich Bell River, at the foot of Ben MacDhui (at 3001m the highest mountain in the Cape)
Description
FIRST STAGE ~ 13,5KM
The first stage of the race takes the runners from the start at Rhodes along the Bell River and into the Kloppershoek Valley. The road crosses the Bell River several times via causeways and low-level bridges.
SECOND STAGE ~ 8KM
This is an off-road section of approximately 8km from Mavis Bank to the Lesotho border road Check Point. A suitable route along footpaths and cattle and sheep trails will be marked by means of flags. A steep ascent (1:3) from the valley to the Lesotho border Check Point will likewise be marked.
THIRD STAGE ~ 9KM
The third stage of 9km follows the Lesotho border road through snowfields and past the ski slopes of Ben MacDhui, which reaches to 3001 meters. Competitors reach the highest point of the run on this section when they pass Lesotho View (2680m). Snow, mud and strong head wind may be encountered.
FOURTH STAGE ~ 9KM
This is an off-road section from the Quarry Check Point to the Hooggenoeg Hikers Hut, along Hooggenoeg Ridge via Hooggenoeg Point. There are no footpaths on this section and competitors follow the ridge line south to the next Check Point. A suitable route along the ridge and contour will be marked by means of flags. Extreme caution is required as the route covers terrain that is extremely uneven and rough underfoot with hidden rocks and holes. Snow, mud and strong wind may be encountered. The road between these two Check Points is out of bounds and runners using the road along this section will be disqualified.
FINAL STAGE ~ 12,5KM
Along the final stage of the route a steep descent (1:3.4) drops the runners from the mountain plateau into the Carlisleshoek Valley (dropping several hundred meters per kilometer) and thereafter the route follows the Carlisleshoek Valley road back to the finish in Rhodes.
Awesome, but for sure one of the most dificult Trail Runs.
Never in my wildest dreams did I realise what my BUFF Wild Card entry into this year’s Rhodes Trail Run will hold for me…A Lucky Packet full of amazing surprises! But the best of all is to come to an understanding of what the human body coupled with a good measure of faith and a supporting husband can endure…
Well, I don’t really have words to describe my very 1st Rhodes Breath-taking Trail Run – all I can say is it was truly one of the most exhilarating, yet toughest challenges I ever tackled and so thrilled to say I managed to conquer – even if it came close with only a few minutes to spare …I am truly grateful that I completed it.
Very tough indeed, but what an awesome privilege to become one with nature and to experience God’s incredible majesty in such beautiful and stunning surroundings! From extreme highs (thanks to aunty Mavis!) to lows, sore knees, thick mud, severe cold (- 10 at the start and heaps of snow and sludge …for me this was definitely one for my Bucket List!”
I have done 3 Comrades marathons before and quite a few normal standard marathons and am pretty new to the world of trail running…but can understand that it truly is something really special and unique to be free and out in nature. Seems to me it’s quite normal to get hooked BIG TIME!
Many thanks for a very well organised event.
As always an AWESOME run this was my 10th, i thought it would be my last but changed my mind i will keep doing this race as long as i am able, everyone should try & run Rhodes once in their lifetime!!!!