I have heard 'Mavis Bank' referred to as the great conversation stopper. Why is this?
Let's have this chat at the Lesotho Border Check Point......you'll have your answers then.
Why do you charge for a Substitution?
Each time there is a Substitution and an entrant changes, we have to perform a significant amount of administration.
What should I wear?
Suggested gear for the Rhodes Trail Run would be -
Starting at the top, your Rhodes Trail Run Buff® to protect your ears, neck, face from cold, wind, dust.... and from the comments of fellow runners.
Specialised trail running shoes, like Montrail® (you'll need the extra grip; in places you may wish you had crampons!).
A water container holding at least 500ml.
Your whistle & foil survival blanket (which will be provided at registration). One pair of socks should do it; although folk have been know to change into a dry pair of socks for the drop down the cement strip. Hiking/trekking poles are permitted.
A smile for when you are caught in the lens of the race photographer, and when you greet those frozen folk at the feeding stations.
Do I have to jump naked into the freezing iced Bell River on the night of the Run?
Yes !! .......otherwise you wont have the bragging rights of being a member of the Rhodes Polar Bears!
Yes, afraid so. The tradition started by the folk from Stella, and which continues to this day, is that to be recognised as a true 'Polar Bear' runners have to crack the ice on the banks of the Bell River with their toe before taking the plunge.
If you figure you've done enough to consider yourself a 'Polar Bear' and are able to look other 'Polar Bears' in the eye, no one is going to challenge you. This is Rhodes after all, and the last mayor of the hamlet always suggests that some rules can be bent.
'Polar Bears' can remind themselves of their achievement by purchasing an official Rhodes Trail Run Polar Bear Club™ certificate.
Why do I need to tell you if I pull out? Can't you just pick it up from the results?
The route covers broken, slippery and at times potentially dangerous terrain. Any competitor who does not 'clock-in' at one of the official Check Points is presumed to have encountered a problem along the way.
A Search & Rescue Team will, as soon as practical, be despatched to search for the competitor.
Obviously in bad weather conditions this exercise would be hazardous for the Search & Rescue Team members. We do not want to be in a position where a Search & Rescue exercise is initiated, when the competitor is safely home, having negligently not handed in their sticker to an official Check Point.
If it is found that the Search & Rescue operation was initiatated unnecessarily the competitor will be charged a fee per the conditions of the event as set out in the race instructions.
What are the cut-off times?
Runners who fail to reach the border check point (21km - top of Mavis Bank) before 4½ hours must abandon the race.
To qualify as a finisher runners must complete the course within 9 hours.
How cold is minus 10 degrees?
Usually cold enough to make one wish for an extra pair of leggings and gloves.
I have heard of the 'Rhodes Triple'. Is this similar to the Rhodes 'Macnab'?
The Rhodes 'Macnab' is probably a heck of a lot easier to complete than the 'Rhodes Triple'.
For the Rhodes 'Macnab' you need to hunt a Vaal Rhebuck ram, shoot a brace of Greywing Francolin on the wing and catch a Rainbow or Brown trout. All between surise and sunset.
For the 'Rhodes Triple' you need to complete the 3-day Ben MacDhui hike, the 80 km Rhodes Mountain Bike Challenge and the Rhodes Trail Run. Thankfully not on consecutive days.
For information on the Rhodes 'Macnab' contact Fred Steynberg on 045 974 9298.
How far outside Grahamstown does the race start ?
About 6 - 7 hours drive ......
