IL PERCORSO

Lo start e finish sono situati presso il Lakeside Lodge in cima al promontorio superiore. Dopo lo start, entrambi i percorsi (maratona e mezza maratona) passano dal Ravineside Lodge, il monolito Entabeni e, successivamente, scendono verso l'altopiano inferiore.
L'angusta e ripidissima Yellow Wood Valley e' l'unico collegamento tra la scarpata e l'altopiano sottostante. Il tracciato si snoda attraverso la valle. Prestare particolare attenzione alla possibile caduta sassi su questo tratto.
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Sul plateau inferiore si prosegue per il circuito del "Lion Land" prima di risalire sulla valle.
Tornati alla scarpata superiore, si prosegue verso il traguardo compiendo il giro (The Loop) correndo attraverso un avvallamento su un tracciato circolare di circa 6km situato entro due muri di roccia. Una breve salita e conseguente discesa porteranno fuori dall'avvallamento, un luogo unico. Doveste incontrare un rinoceronte, il consiglio e' di continuare a correre - ma silenziosamente!
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Verso la fine diventa dura. Si scende dalla per meta' dal promontorio godendo della magnifica vista sul lago. Il sentiero sale ripido per il tratto rimanente fino al traguardo e la superficie e' piuttosto sconnessa, punteggiata da numerose pietre e massi su un duro terreno roccioso. In questo tratto della corsa e' bene fare molta attenzione a dove si mettono i piedi. Nel tratto finale, invece, diventa tutto piu' facile.
Il clima e' molto secco, soleggiato e fresco in questo periodo dell'anno. In media ci sono 15-20 gradi, ma il tempo e' variabile e cambia a seconda dell'altitudine, del vento etc

F.A.Q. (in inglese)
The Course
Question: What type of terrain?
Answer: The terrain is both flat and hilly with one big climb up the Yellow Wood Valley. The surface variates and will be sand, stones, gravel, rocks, asphalt and earth. See course outline for further information.
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Question: What will the weather be like?
Answer: Probably sunny with temperatures ranging from 15 to 23 degrees Celsius but with variates due to sun, shade, wind and altitude.
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Question: What, and how often, will the runners be drinking?
Answer: Drinks are supplied at every 4 kilometres. The type of drinks supplied is water and, at selected stations, electrolyte.
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Question: What type of running gear should I bring?
Answer: Wear normal running shoes, shorts and a light coloured running singlet. On your head, do not wear a baseball cap (as it builds up a lot heat on your head) but a shade is very recommendable.
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Question: What if I change my mind, and want to run the half marathon instead?
Answer: All runners can change their mind with respect to the distance. Deadline for such changes will be on inspection day (June 29th), after having droven the route.
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Question: What if I change my mind, and want to run the half marathon instead?
Answer: All runners can change their mind with respect to the distance. Deadline for such changes will be on inspection day (June 29th), after having droven the route.

Food and drinks
Question: Will the marathon runners get lunch (or anything to eat) after completing the event?
Answer: There will be sandwich buffet in the finish area both for runners and spectators. It is recommended to eat small and simple after an event like The Red Cross Big Five Marathon® as the stomach on most runners has stopped working properly due to the strenuous efforts during the race.
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Question: Will there be bottled water during the race or some type of purified water?
Answer: At every 4 kilometres, bottled (and totally safe) water is served in plastic bags. Electrolyte drinks and bananas are served at selected drink stations, and it is possible to deposit personal provisions also at selected stations along the course.

Animals and safety
Question: What kind of animals is in the park?
Answer: In the park the "Big Five" as well as numerous other species such as Giraffe, Hippopotamus, Crocodiles and the many splendid species of Antelope, not to mention the abundance of birdlife.
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Question: Am I safe during the marathon?
Answer: Rangers will take care of our safety during the race. They will guard all the big animals and rangers will drive in front and in the back plus they will continuously guard the whole route in their vehicles. If necessary we will also have a helicopter in the air to spot the animals.