The Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon

The Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon

7 days and 250 kilometres of fertile Orange River Valley vineyards, rocky outcrops and desolate Great Kalahari Desert, not exactly your average walk in the park. Not your average marathon either, the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon is a self-sufficient run which takes place in the Kalahari Desert in the proximity of the Augrabies Falls on the Orange River. Known as the 'Big Daddy' in South African running circles, it truly is a test of stamina and perseverance. It crosses the Augrabies Falls National Park, private game parks and many private farmlands, with extreme contrasting temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius during the day and below 5 degrees Celsius at night and is the perfect challenge for any extreme athlete or determined adventurer.

The marathon is a self-sufficiency run which is held over six legs in seven days with set distances for each day, ranging from 28km to 75km. The participants must carry all their supplies, clothes and compulsory safety/survival equipment for the duration of the event. The organisers supply the participants with overnight camps, water, professional medical backup, sports physios, check points at every 8-10 km, and an experienced crew who look after the participants needs.

Entrance criteria for the race are strict with participants being required to produce a medical certificate prior to the event, and each entrant and their pack are inspected prior to the start to ensure that they are carrying all their compulsory equipment and that their daily foods calorie count is sufficient to sustain them, as any outside assistance will result in them being withdrawn from the race. In order to ensure that there is no unfair planning advantages, the route details are only divulged on the day of registration and the route is clearly marked throughout the course.

Interest in the event is growing throughout the world as the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon makes a name for itself on the International Calendar of Extreme Events as a difficult, well-organized experience of a lifetime.

The 2012 Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon will take place from 25 October to 4 November 2012.

For more information please contact:
Extreme Marathons - Estienne and Nadia Arndt
Tel: +27-44-6903420
Fax: +27-86-6097755
Estienne Mobile: +27-83-2544824
Nadia Mobile: +27-83-3097755
Email: estienne@extrememarathons.com
Email: nadia@extrememarathons.com