This is a three day stage race. While the distances may appear on the short side, the terrain makes up for the challenge.
FACILITES
There is a full race village to accommodate runners in tents. Catering for the duration of the week is provided from Thursday dinner to Sunday breakfast. The race village also has a massage area, 24-hour snack bar, full medical support and comfortable ablutions.
Distance: 27 kilometres. This is the hardest day and the route follows the well-worn Ribbok Hiking Trail. The route is narrow and quite rocky in places. There are two testing climbs on this stage and the first, Generaalkop, is also the biggest and comes right at the start. It is difficult but take comfort in the knowledge that the first half of the route is also the hardest. There is still work to be done in the second half as you take on the legendary Brandwag Mountain, the iconic signature to Golden Gate.
Distance: 29 kilometres. The second day starts with a drive to the start. The route takes you through an unexplored part of the park where the public is not permitted. The route is hard right from the start as you climb onto the escarpment, but once on the plain you could be in Little Serengeti. Here there are herds of Zebra, Eland, Bontebok, Hartebeest and Wildebeest for as far as you can see. Vast mountains and rolling hills form a rugged backdrop as you run on old jeep-track and management roads.
With about 17 kilometres left you turn towards the Highlands Mountain Retreat to take on some single track and some technical climbing. Once at the top you are treated to panoramic views of the entire park and a long and comfortable downhill canter all the way home.
Distance 27 kilometres. The final day like all others starts with a monumental climb. From here it is downhill all the way. Could this be one of the hardest off-road events in the Free State? Few would argue.