Yes, it’s now official; we have a new route for 2007. Not an entirely new route, a new section. We are going away from the road between the Tiffindell feeding station and the Hoogenoeg Hikers Hut.

The road was getting sooo good we just had to get off it! Here are a couple of pics taken early April showing why we had to leave the road. Definitely not the 'good old bad old' road it was a few years ago!

It has become the very best road in a radius of 250km….not great for trail running!

The new section is an off-road section from the Tiffindell feeding station to the Hoogenoeg Hikers Hut, via Hoogenoeg point. There are no footpaths on this section and competitors follow the ridge line south to the next Check Point. A suitable route along the ridge and contour will be marked by means of flags. Extreme caution is required as the route covers terrain that is uneven and rough underfoot with hidden rocks and holes. Snow, mud and strong wind may be encountered. The road between these two Check Points is out of bounds and runners using the road along this section will be disqualified.

While distance wise the new section is pretty much the same as along the road it will be challenging, fun and will certainly test fitness levels. The new section is run along at about 2600m above sea level.

We are really extremely grateful that the farmer over whose land the new section goes has granted us his permission to run over his land.

Remember, you’ll need to carry water – there will be sections along the route where feeding stations could be 10km apart.