loader
QR Code Main Bar
OM-DIE-DAM ULTRA, HALF MARATHON
DATE 01 January 2021
TIME 06h00
ORGANISERS Hartbeespoort Marathon Club
DISTANCE 21.1km, 50km
PROVINCE North West
START VENUE Hartbeespoort Holiday Resort,Old Rustenburg Road,Hartbeespoort, Brits
PRE-ENTRY CLOSING DATE
RACE WEBSITE CLICK HERE
PRIMARY CONTACT
NAME Jaco Venter
NUMBER 083-2229448
EMAIL info@omdiedamultra.co.za
FAX
HOME NUMBER
WORK NUMBER
SECONDARY CONTACT
NAME
NUMBER
EMAIL
FAX
HOME NUMBER
WORK NUMBER
OM-DIE-DAM ULTRA, HALF MARATHON

ENTRY DETAILS



Pre-entries are available at local sports stores and races and close about two weeks before the race. The Ultra Marathon is strictly pre-entry.




OM-DIE-DAM ULTRA, HALF MARATHON

DIRECTIONS

Race Start Coordinates: -25.702842350211345, 27.852922081947327 

Race Finish Coordinates: 0.0,0.0 

OM-DIE-DAM ULTRA, HALF MARATHON

THE RUN



Which one, oh which is the most beautiful, which the hardest? Om-die-Dam is a difficult race; let us be clear about that. But it is also a beautiful race. Compared to many other famous ultras it is often the one that sets the benchmark. The race starts off in an easy and orderly fashion as it leaves suburban Hartbeespoort and goes alongside the dam for the opening few kilometres. A run through the tunnel is always punctuated with wolf whistles and catcalls. This adds to the atmosphere of bonhomie and does little to detract from the magnificence of the triumphant arch-like structure that straddles the dam wall. The first item on the agenda for today is to climb the opening of several challenging hills.

Commando Nek comes early on in the race and, while nuggety, it should pose little difficulty. It was on this nek that Boer General De la Rey positioned his commandos effectively cutting off Rustenburg from Pretoria. Once over Commandos it is relatively easy going as you cross the long bridge over Hartbeespoort Dam. This is a very beautiful stretch with the sun rising and reflecting with a dramatic splash on the calm water below. Next comes the long and steady climb through Broederstroom, past Pelindaba. The African Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone Treaty, known as the ‘Treaty of Pelindaba’ was adopted here. This section of the race can be very hot and the organisers go out of their way to lay on excellent water tables that offer all sorts of refreshments such as fruit, ice lollies and even miniature wors rolls!

The race earns its reputation as a tough customer at Saartjiesnek. Around the 36-kilometre mark lies this punishing two kilometre or so monster. Each great ultra possesses a legendary hill. It is at this point on Om-die-Dam where reputations are made or broken. Shoulder in and run, let Saartjie make you the hero today. The top of Saartjies has its own reward for glittering below is the most breathtaking and panoramic view of Hartbeespoort Dam. Some of the final stretches are quite easy. Beware the sting in the scorpion’s tail, this one is brutal and can reduce even the strongest to a walk. A cautionary note, the event is run in March and in the North West it can get very hot at this time so drink plenty of fluid on the route. The half marathon route runs mainly around the suburbs of Hartbeespoort and is generally flat, easy and fast.




PRIZES AND GIVE-AWAYS

All ultra marathon category winners get gold medals. Men finishing within 03:45 and women finishing within 04:10 get silver and all other finishers get bronze. The medal is a unique, beautifully sculptured item, truly a collector's piece. All finishers also get badges and good quality T-shirts. Permanent numbers are awarded to those completing 10 runs. All half marathon category winners get gold medals, the next 200 finishers get silver and all other finishers get bronze.



Type Circular
Sub Event Road Running
Difficulty Rating 3
OM-DIE-DAM ULTRA, HALF MARATHON

MEDIA RELEASE
Race Name Release Date Media Release
OM-DIE-DAM ULTRA, HALF MARATHON

ORGANISER
NAME Hartbeespoort Marathon Club
PROVINCE North West North
EMAIL office@hartbeespoortmarathonclub.co.za
WEBSITE www.hartbeespoortmarathonclub.co.za
ADDRESS P O Box 495 Ifafi Hartbeespoort

CONTACT PERSON
NAME Johan van Molendorff
PROVINCE
EMAIL rinavm@hotmail.com
NUMBER
ADDRESS

RACES BY THIS CLUB
TYPE PROVINCE RACE DATE VENUE CONTACT NUMBER
North West Hartbees Mieliemyl Road Race & 10 km Trail Run 01 January 2024 NG Church Hartbeesfontein Janice Moller 083-2977109
North West Om Die Berg Half Marathon 01 January 2024 Hartbeespoort High School Cable Way Road Hartbeespoort Hannes Barendze 073-5377507
Gauteng Trojan Om Die Dam Ultra & 8 km 16 March 2024 Hartbeespoort High School Scott Street Schoemansville Bennie Badenhorst 073-7822894
OM-DIE-DAM ULTRA, HALF MARATHON

EDITORS NOTES



EDITORS NOTES

The Old Mutual Om-Die-Dam Ultra Marathon has been consistently ranked in a number of our surveys as a well organised and well-presented event. This gem was first run in 1991 and ever since runners have given the race a ‘big thumbs up’. In 2021 Om-die-Dam celebrates its 30th birthday. It has grown from 1,800 finishers in 1991 to well over 7,000. You will find accommodation at local resorts, schools and with residents in the area at very fair prices. Hartbeespoort also offers fine camping facilities. Contact the Om-die-Dam office for details.

This, one of the finest ultra-marathons in South Africa, is only an hour’s drive from Johannesburg or around 40 minutes from Pretoria. Walkers are welcome to participate in the half marathon which has a generous 04:00 time limit. Proceeds from the five kilometre fun run are donated to the Hartbeespoort Old Age Home. At the time of writing there was uncertainty concerning this race. The course was run in reverse in 2019, it is unsure this will be the case in 2021. Phone the organisers closer to the time. 

 

 



Time Limit: 07:00

Finishers: 7000

ACCOMODATION

RACE CHANGES (0)

DATE:

VENUE:

CONTACT: