Welcome to the GRAIL OF TRAIL - CLASSIC 2015

A MUST WATCH

If by any chance you are still in need of inspiration to kick off your training then view the first of our series of Grail of Trail Short films titled “Everything Changes”. The Grail of Trail Film series will be released over the next couple of months. Each of those short films will capture and convey one of the many aspects of the Otter African Trail Run.

DATES TO DIARISE:

The Otter Challenge – Classic Edition 14/15 October 2015
The Otter Run – Classic Edition 16/17 October 2015

• 10h00 – 15h30 REGISTRATION De Vaselot Campsite Natures Valley
• 10h00 – 16h00 PROLOGUE Natures Valley (3km From Registration)
• 18h00 – 19h00 RACE BRIEFING De Vasselot Campsite Natures Valley
• 19h00 – 20h00 PRE RACE DINNER 19:30pm De Vasselot Camp Site, Natures Valley (bookings will only open in September on the Otter Shop - bookings essential) 

• 03h00 â€“ WAKE UP
• 04h00 â€“ TRANSFER TO START
• 05h00 – 05h20 RACE START
• 06h20 – THE 42 KM MAIN RACE
• 19h00 – 21h00 CEREMONIAL DINNER De Vasselot Camp Site, Natures Valley

• 04h30 â€“ WAKE UP
• 05h30 â€“ TRANSFER TO START
• 06h30 – 06h50 RACE START
• 06h20 – THE 42 KM MAIN RACE
• 19h00 – 21h00 CEREMONIAL DINNER De Vasselot Camp Site, Natures Valley

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT YOURSELF INTO?

UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGE YOU FACE

• Then the swim across the Bloukraans River is done in the last third of the event and not in the first third like it is on the Retto. Exiting the river on the West bank of the Bloukraans river as one does in the Classic is more difficult than the east and runners in the front and back of the field attempt the crossing at the edge of the four hour tidal window.
• The climbs on the Classic are shorter but with steeper gradients whilst the descents are more gradual. The most challenging climb is attempted in the last quarter of the Classic Run.

What are the Cut-Off Times?  You must also be aware that the 8 hour cut-off time for the Otter Run makes the finishers medal for this race one of the hardest to attain of any endurance event anywhere. Different colours are offered for different finishing times. The 11 hour Cut-off for the Otter Challenge is more generous but certainly no picnic either. Note that we do strictly enforce cut-off times at checkpoints along the route. These cut-offs are determined on constant pace and are effected to prevent the field from getting too stretched out which places a strain on our resources. As it is, the field stretches out over 20km.

RACE RULES AND COMPULSORY EQUIPMENT

You need to familiarize yourself with the race rules and particularly with the list of compulsory equipment required for the main race. The list of compulsory equipment you will have to carry on the actual race is determined by the Weather Alert Level. Five Weather Alert Levels are defined, three of which (I-III) dictate a differing list of compulsory gear. Your compulsory gear will be checked at the Compulsory Gear Check at registration and you will be accredited for participation up to a certain Weather Alert Level. If you do not have the gear for a specific Weather Alert Level you will not be able to participate should the event be staged under that Weather Alert Level.  The List of compulsory gear is available on the website. Final updates to the compulsory gear and race rules will be updated and published on the website by 1st of July.

WEATHER ALERT LEVELS

The Weather Alert Level under which the race will be run is determined by the race Safety Officer on the evening prior to the race. The determined Weather Alert Level is announced at race briefing. Note that a Weather Alert Level IV will result in a course change and Weather Alert Level V will result in a cancellation of the event. Note that the team making the decisions on the Weather Alert Levels is among the most experienced outdoor athletes in the country and are familiar with the local conditions in the Tsitsikamma. These decisions will only be taken in the interest of your safety.

EVENT CANCELLATION

Should the event be cancelled due to a Weather Alert Level V or due to an imminent wild fire danger or any other factor that affects the safety of participants there will be no refunding of entry fees.

ILLEGAL TRESPASSING ON THE OTTER TRAIL

Please understand that the Otter Trail is an operating Wilderness Trail and that only twelve permitted hikers are allowed to start the five day hiking trail per day. As such trail running on the trail outside of the organised event is not possible. SANParks identified illegal trespassing on the Otter Trail as the biggest threat to the continuation of the Otter Run or any kind of trail running within the park. We have had no reports of this happening and have agreed to assist in communicating the parks policies on this matter to our participants. We will have no hesitation in reporting to them anyone who selfishly compromises the goodwill trail running has garnered from our National Parks.

Where you can train The 3 km of the trail from the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp to the Waterfall is open to day visitors and participants are welcome to recce this section. The park and its surround also do have may other world class trails, particularly on the Natures Valley Side of the park, which are open for trail running all year round. Please consider other park visitors if running on these trails!! We also encourage every one of our participants to hike the Otter Trail at some point in their lives. The Otter Run/Challenge is a trail running experience and as magnificent as it is, it is no substitute to spending five days submerged in the pristine wilderness. Put hiking the Otter Trail on your bucket list!

COMPETITOR LOGISTICS & ACCOMMODATION

Our base of operations including Registration, The Prologue Run, Briefings, Finish Line and the After Race Dinners will be located at the De Vasselot Campsite, Natures Valley for this year’s Classic Edition of Otter Run/Challenge. A full range of accommodation at the start and the finish of the race is available on the Otter Shop ranging from camp sites to houses, oceanettes and forest huts. Be sure to browse both pages for the best option for you! http://theotter.co.za/shop/  All listed prices are packages for two persons over two nights.

For those of you who intend staying longer and taking advantage of your visit to one of the most trail rich parts of the world you can extend your stay after the event by booking accommodation through SANParks. The Villages of Natures Valley and Storms River Village (just inland from the park) make for excellent bases to launch your odyssey from. Both Villages have access to world class trails and the area is also hotbed of many exciting adventure activities.

SHUTTLES AND TRANSPORT

Note that the organisation provides transport from the Natures Valley to the start of the races at the Storms River Camp Site. You are welcome to travel in your own vehicles to the start of the race but must make your own arrangements for your vehicle to be picked up. Other shuttle service are offered but more details of these will be made available in later news letters or contact our offices.

DASSIE

The 10km Dassie Trail Run is timed to finish just before the first runners of the The Classic Otter Run are due to arrive. If you have trail running family and friends accompanying you or anyone who wants to be an active part of the 2015 Classic and have a front row seat to the finish line of the Grail of Trail then participating in the Dassie is a perfect way to do that. Natures Valley route has received wide acclaim as one of the best meter for meter 10 km trail running routes ever.   Entries open 1st of June 2015.