Forever Resorts Loskop Ultra Marathon
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| Date: |
17 April 2010 |
| Time: |
06h00 |
| Organisers: |
Middelburg Marathon Club |
| Distance: |
50; 42.2; |
| Province: |
Mpumalanga |
| Start: |
Municipal Offices
Wanderers Avenue
Middelburg
Forever Resort |
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| Enquiries: |
Contact 1: Middelburg Marathon Club
(W) 013-2432683
(F) 013-2433391
(Email) loskopmarathon@foreversa.co.za
Contact 2: Hein Koch
(C) 073-4245984
(Email)heink@icon.co.za
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| Entry Details: |
Postal and faxed entries are also accepted, and must be accompanied by confirmation of payment in the form of a bank deposit slip. All entries will be confirmed by e-mail, SMS, fax or phone. For reasons of traffic control and safety, the field is restricted to 3 500 runners. As the race is strictly pre-entry, it is wise to send in your form as early as possible.
Collect your race number from the start on the Friday before the race from 12h00, or from 04h30 on race day.
Walkers are Welcome |
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| Route Description: |
Route Type: Point to point
What a run this is! Starting in Middelburg before the town begins to stir; there are some twists and turns through the sleepy suburbs, before the course spills out onto the Loskop Road. On the way out of town, there is a dip and a small river, and a blanket of mist for the first few kilometres. Somehow it is always there and adds a touch of mystery to the morning’s proceedings.
Suddenly you find yourself in a different world: distant from city life, in total contrast to the noise and clatter of the start. The first 20 kilometres or so are run through typical Highveld terrain, with open spaces, crisp morning air and cosmos. These are magical miles, to be sure, but they will also provide a deceptive challenge to the unwary. At the 22-kilometre mark stands the infamous Post Office Tower. This tower will have been taunting and tantalising you for quite a few kilometres by now, silently waiting in the morning haze. But it is the highest point of the race. Raise your arms here and know that it is downhill from this point. Or is it? The following stretch will provide great relief as you settle into an easy pace and enjoy the forgiving run of more than 10 kilometres down to Buggers Hill.
This tester stands as a bastion to the Kranspoort Pass, and at the 36-kilometre marker it is time to shoulder in and grind your way up the back of this notorious hill. There is work to be done here, but there is a great reward on the other side of this testy challenge. Here lies the special appeal of the Loskop. The Kranspoort Pass, at 38-kilometres, is simply breathtaking and is sure to impress even the most widely travelled runner with its sheer splendour. Beware; running down the pass can prove punishing on tired legs.
After the pass, the road becomes easy, forgiving and quite pleasant. Loskop Dam is finally in sight. But before this race leaves you, it has one final, demanding gift - Varaday's Hill. It stands in wait at 46-kilometres, and it is here that the runners are separated from the joggers. At the end of every great race lies a great hill. Varaday's is the one at Loskop. Be warned, it is long and tiring and even the most seasoned athlete can be reduced to walking. If you failed to show sufficient respect up Bugger’s Hill, or were too excessive through the Kranspoort Valley, you will pay for it at Varaday’s.
Once over this difficult obstacle the final run into the resort is pleasant and welcome. The Loskop Dam now spread before you tells you that you are at last home, here lies the finish. This is a race well worth the effort.
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| Prizes and Give-Aways: |
| This race has "A" permit status and there is incentive money on offer. Runners who finish according to various category times win silver medals. All other runners who finish in less than six hours go home with bronze.
All starters receive jam-packed goodie bags. You can also win great lucky-draw prizes if you finish the ultra marathon. The quality of the hand-outs is exceptional. This T-shirt is one you will not give away, or use to wash the car! |
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| Course Records: |
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Name |
Time |
Year |
| Men |
Josiah Thugwane |
02:44:03 |
2005 |
| Women |
Paulina Phaho |
03:17:31 |
2004 |
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| Editor's Notes: |
The Forever Resorts Loskop Marathon has been consistently ranked by the Runner’s World race judges as a well organised and well presented event. Over the last four years it achieved distinction as South Africa’s fourth best race overall. It was also voted the fourth best ultra marathon.
Point-to-point races always pose logistical challenges and to cater for this, bus transport to the start is provided from the Aventura Loskop Resort gate at 04h15. Bus transport back to Middelburg from the finish is available after prize-giving.
The route is closed to traffic between 05h00 and 12h30 and an alternative route has been worked out for supporters. There are three cut-off points on the route, and runners must make these in time to avoid removal from the race. The first is 25 kilometres in 03:10; the second is 36 kilometres in 04:40, and finally the marathon mark in 05:20.
Runners who finish their 10th Loskop Marathon receive a permanent blue number, and those finishing for the 20th time are awarded double blue. The Loskop is a Comrades qualifier.
There is a pasta party the night before the race at the registration area in Middelburg and also at the Aventura Loskop Resort. There is also a souvenir shop at the registration venue, which adds to the vibe of a big race.
The entire local community comes out in support and the atmosphere is very exciting. This is an exceptional race in every department and is excellent value for money.
Finishers: 4200 Time Limit: 06:30 |
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