Richtersveld Wildrun™ 2015 Event Guide
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Transcript of Richtersveld Wildrun™ 2015 Event Guide
©Wildrunner 2015 3
Welcome to the Richtersveld Wildrun™ 2015!
The Richtersveld Wildrun™ 2015 promises four days and 150km of spectacular
running through the desert of the /Ai/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. While
there, you will experience completely unique terrain and some of the most
magnificent mountain desert scenery in the world.
Words cannot describe the physical and emotional high of this journey ahead of
you. It’s not just the magnificence of this untouched mountain desert that will
blow your mind, but the combination of sharing this life-changing experience with
the people you meet and the friends you make along the way.
This is a short guide with a little about everything for your convenience. If there is
anything you are not sure about, or anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask
one of the Wildrun™ crew, who will be only too happy to assist.
We look forward to getting to know you in the next few days, and from all of us,
we wish you an injury-free and unforgettable journey through the desert.
Owen, Tam & the Wildrunner team
4 ©Wildrunner 2015
Contents
Who’s who 5
Richtersveld Wildrun™ runners 2015 8
Pre-event checklist 9
General pre-event information 11
Richtersveld Wildrun™ Schedule of Events 13
Route information
Tuesday 02 June 16
Wednesday 03 June 18
Thursday 04 June 20
Friday 05 June 22
Crew Contact details 24
©Wildrunner 2015 5
So who’s who on the crew for 2015?
Owen Middleton – Race Director Owen has wanted to put on an event in the Richtersveld ever
since he visited the area for the first time (as an adult) in 2006
and, with more than 10 years of event organising experience
behind him, he realised this dream for the first time in 2014. If
you don’t already know Owen, you’ll normally find him
somewhere in the mountains with his loyal companion Shadow,
dreaming up new events in more amazing places. Trail running is his passion and
lifestyle and bringing it to everyone else is his mission.
Tamaryn Middleton (Tam) – Event Manager
The Real Boss. If you don’t know Tam by now, you haven’t
entered the event! She is the backbone of the Wildrun™ and will
put a smile on your face any time of the day. Although born in
SA, Tam spent her formative years in the UK and then Belgium
for most of her schooling years. Her passion is people, with a
healthy dose of scuba diving, trail running and general
adventure-seeking thrown in! Anything you need during the run, Tam will sort it
out.
Dave & Glenda Jupp – Communications
Tam’s folks - Dave and Glenda have spent a lifetime together,
travelling the world and taking it as it comes. Having lived in
Texas, Greece, France, England and Belgium, they came back
to settle at home in the Cape, where they now try to take as
much time off as possible. When they aren’t working or
holidaying, they spend their time running their unofficial mini-
crèche for the new generation of mini-me’s!
Dr Mark Middleton – Course & Checkpoint Manager
Owen’s big brother. Mark divides his time between his numerous
mini-Middletons and his work with (mostly) four-legged patients.
But really, he’s just a surfer-boy from Kommetjie and annoyingly
good at most sports. Mark loves to talk about his surgery on
animals – especially over dinner...
6 ©Wildrunner 2015
Catharina Robbertze – Media
After travelling the world working on cycling tours, Catharina
was lured back to SA and running by Wildrunner and her
memories of the Lesotho Wildrun™ 2011. With a background in
media, she’ll be tweeting, Facebooking, blogging and PR-ing
about every step you take in the Richtersveld.
Genevieve & Chris – The massage therapy team The ‘No-Pain, No-Gain’ team… Yup, chances are you will end up
on one of their tables at some stage! These guys will work out
all those niggles and make you feel ready for the next day.
Genevieve and Chris are formidable and have worked on
numerous other multi-day events such as the Lesotho Wildrun™
and the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon.
Richard Dellbridge - Race Sweep Richard loves wine, running, the outdoors, making a difference
and getting out there. He’s volunteered as a medic at many
Wildrunner races and has lots of experience carrying injured
runners out of precarious places. He loves the solitude of being
in the middle of nowhere and while he is sure to be in the
middle of nowhere plenty of times in the Richtersveld he will
always be accompanying the last runner as he takes on the all-important duty of
race sweep.
Isla Middleton – In charge of entertainment This year, you’ll find that Isla certainly has a lot to say, you just
won’t understand much of it! She is now even more
entertaining, giggles like little girls should and still knows
exactly what she wants (and still gets it). Her usefulness as crew
hasn’t much improved from last year, except now that she can
walk, she will be required to present medals and perform other,
equally important tasks during the event.
©Wildrunner 2015 7
Johan & Magda de Waal – Richtersveld Tours
Johan and Magda started a tour operator business,
Richtersveld Tours, in the early part of 2007. After
opening a tourism forum with the Open Africa
Organisation, interest and involvement in the area
grew rapidly and now includes a number of
community projects such as festivals, talent
competitions and markets. Johan will be looking after the camp setup for this
event and Magda is the power behind all the delicious meals! Attention to detail
and yummy food are what these two are all about! You’ll also see their kids,
Johané, Bula and the cute Klara all over the place, helping at the finish and around
camp.
Nick de Goede – /Ai/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park Manager
Nick has been in conservation for 22 years, working in KwaZulu-
Natal parks for 16 years, before moving to the Richtersveld six
years ago. In KZN he worked in uMkuze, Garden Castle, Giant's
Castle, Ithala Game Reserve and Tembe Elephant Park. As a
family, the de Goedes love exploring the park on weekends.
Nick will mostly be one day ahead of the Richtersveld runners, setting up the next
day’s camp but you’ll see him at the start and finish of race – always working and
always smiling.
Marion Siebrits – CP Crew Everyone's mother - warm, loving, always feeding and
affectionate. Farm-raised in the Eastern Cape, now Cape Town
based, happily married, a doting mother of two and would
adopt the whole world if she could. Marion's passions and skills
are horticulture (she will rattle Latin plant names and garden
designs like a professor), catering in pioneering environments
(did someone say fresh herbs in the desert?) and travel (her bakkie comes with
permanent, personalised tool box and tea basket). A hug accompanied by coffee
and biscuits is never far away!
8 ©Wildrunner 2015
Richtersveld Wildrun™ 2015 Participants
RWR # Name Surname
RWR # Name Surname
1 Amanda Atwood
22 James Robertson
2 Georgina Ayre
23 Carl Sandrock
3 Anne-Marie Botha
24 Ruanne Sandrock
4 Heleen Botha
25 Paul Stephens
5 Bev Clark
26 Michael Taylor
6 James Cracknell
27 Elsabe Van Schalkwyk
7 Harriet Cullinan
28 Bernard Rukadza
8 Steve Diederich
29 Alfeus Haushona
9 Annie Dower
30 Dawid Kaswant
10 Anthony Erasmus
31 Koos Jossob
11 Filippo Faralla
32 Mark Mattson
12 Matthew Fitzsimons
33 Bryony McCormick
13 Thea-Mari Franken
34 Fiona McIntosh
14 CF Haasbroek
35 Shaen Adey
15 Karoline Hanks
36 Roland Vorwerk
16 Michael Hathorn
37 Thabang Madiba
17 Peter Hathorn
38 Katya Soggot
18 Nikki Kimball
39 Dayle Wheeler
19 Lionel Links
40 Carien Du Plessis
20 Andre Lourens
41 Andries Erasmus
21 Andrew Macduff 42 David Buchanan
©Wildrunner 2015 9
Pre-event Checklist
Make sure you have …
Packed a sleeping bag. A stretcher, pillow & blanket are provided.
Packed your passport – even if you aren’t travelling via Namibia, Rosh
Pinah (Namibia) is the closest and best medical facility for this event. It
will be your emergency facility if anything happens to you.
Arranged travel insurance/insurance in case of emergency medical
evacuation.
Packed your GPS with batteries, and spare batteries.
Packed a dry bag or zip lock bags to keep your belongings dry in case of a
freak storm! We have had thunderstorms every time we’ve been in the
Richtersveld, winter and summer, so it’s worth doing.
Packed any personal medication – including your own strapping if you are
currently carrying an injury/niggle.
Packed your personal nutrition adequate for each day’s run – one
checkpoint a day will have an aid station, with water and some snacks
provided.
Cash for the bar. You will only be able to use cash while on the event as
there is no signal for a card machine. Drinks and sandwiches on Monday
will be cash only.
Camera, charger (spare batteries) and an empty card.
Packed a headlamp for the evenings & morning, plus spare batteries.
10 ©Wildrunner 2015
In your goodie bag
A Wildrun™ numbered kit bag that you will use for the four running days
(the bag you arrive with will be stored at the start/finish and will not be
accessible during the event, until the final night)
A Wildrun™ jacket, Buff & running beanie
1.5l aQuelle still water (3l will be supplied each day)
Your Wildrun™ number (to go on the front of your top) & maps
Extra notes
The temperature can be very cold in the evenings and nights at this
time of year and very warm during the day. Short sleeves for your days’
running will be adequate but ensure you have warm clothes for the
evenings. A down-jacket might be a little overkill (i.e. not essential), but
at least you won’t get cold! A rain coat will also be useful in case of a
storm.
Scorpions are fairly common in the Richtersveld and for the most part
come out at night. They like to move in the open but seek refuge in dark
places like under tents, in firewood and in shoes. Please wear closed
shoes after sundown and check your running shoes in the morning before
putting them on. Placing them upside down on rocks or off the ground
helps, but is not fail-safe. Keep your tent zipped up when you are not
inside and when you are sleeping.
©Wildrunner 2015 11
General info on Sendelingsdrif
Sendelingsdrif is on the very edge of the Orange River, on the border
of South Africa and Namibia.
Registration on 01 June will be at the Sendelingsdrif hall.
GPS briefing, race briefing and dinner on 01 June will be at the
Sendelingsdrif hall.
You will be staying in the campsite at Sendelingsdrif, where your
numbered tents will be erected for you.
There is one shop with some food available but this only stocks the
basics. DO NOT RELY on this shop for race food or otherwise. It is
open between 08h00-13h00 and 16h00–18h00.
There is a petrol ‘station’ at Sendelingsdrif but we suggest that you
fill up in Rosh Pinah, Namibia (if travelling that way) or Port Nolloth,
to ensure you have enough to get out of the Richtersveld again.
There will be a limited menu of toasted sandwiches available for sale
throughout the day on Monday. We suggest you bring lots of snacks
with you on your road trip to keep you going until dinner on 01 June.
12 ©Wildrunner 2015
You’re in Sendelingsdrif – what now?
Event Registration
Wildrun™ registration takes place from 16h00 to 18h30 at the hall. At
registration you will need to sign the event indemnity and collect your:
Official numbered Richtersveld Wildrun™ 2015 race bag with kit
Richtersveld Wildrun™ 2015 race number & maps
Event welcome & briefing
The event welcome and briefing will take place from 19h00 at the hall.
After a local presentation and introduction to the people that have made
this event happen, we will take you through important event logistical &
safety information and instructions, as well as lead you through day one of
the Richtersveld Wildrun™.
This is for your safety & information, so please be present at this briefing.
Dinner at Sendelingsdrif
Dinner will be at the restaurant right after briefing, at 20h00.
Sendelingsdrif Restaurant and hall
©Wildrunner 2015 13
Richtersveld Wildrun™ – Schedule of events
Monday, 01 June
Pre-Wildrun™ in Sendelingsdrif
10h00 Runners arrive throughout the day. On arrival at
Sendelingsdrif, Wildrunner crew will meet you and show
you to your tented accommodation.
16h00-18h30 Wildrun™ registration at the Sendelingsdrif hall.
18h30 GPS training – not required to attend but recommended
if you’re a little unsure or just need a refresher on GPS
use. To be held in the Sendelingsdrif hall.
19h00 Wildrun™ briefing, local presentation and route
information – overall and for day 1, in the hall.
20h00 Dinner at the Sendelingsdrif restaurant (next to the
hall).
*Please note that the ferry into Namibia officially opens at 08h00 and closes at 16h00,
South African time.
Tuesday, 02 June
06h00 Breakfast in the Sendelingsdrif hall.
06h30 – 07h30 Bag check-in: You need to drop your bag at the
Wildrunner trailer, located outside in the Sendelingsdrif
parking lot. ONLY your numbered Wildrun™ race bag
will be available during the event – the bag you arrive
with will stay in Sendelingsdrif, either in your own
vehicle, or you can check it into storage, when you drop
your runner bag.
08h00 The RICHTERSVELD WILDRUN™ 2015 STARTS!
14 ©Wildrunner 2015
12h00 – 16h00 Lunch in camp #1 – find the food zone
18h30 Briefing for day 2
19h00 Dinner
Wednesday 03 June *Please note that runners will be split into different start times from day 2 onwards.
You must check the notice board for your start time every evening.
07h00 Breakfast opens
07h00 Bag-drop opens. Please check your bag in at the trailer
07h00 – 09h00 START for the first batch of runners *See notice board
12h00 – 16h00 Lunch in camp #2 – find the food tent
18h30 Briefing for day 3
19h00 Dinner
Thursday 04 June
07h00 Breakfast opens
07h00 Bag-drop opens. Please check your bag in at the trailer
07h00 – 09h00 START for the first batch of runners *See notice board
12h00 – 16h00 Lunch in camp #3 – find the food tent
18h30 Briefing for day 4
19h00 Dinner
©Wildrunner 2015 15
Friday 05 June
07h00 Breakfast opens
07h00 Bag-drop opens. Please check your bag in at the trailer
07h00 – 09h00 START for the first batch of runners *See notice board
12h00 – 16h00 Lunch in Sendelingsdrif hall
19h00 Final presentation & prize giving
20h00 Your last dinner on the Richtersveld Wildrun™ … the bar
will be open for as long as you would like. If you feel the
urge to shake out those leg muscles and let loose, you
will be encouraged and supported!
Saturday, 06 June
Post-Wildrun™ in Sendelingsdrif
07h30-09h30* Full breakfast available
*Please note that the ferry into Namibia officially opens at 08h00 and closes at 16h00,
South African time.
24 ©Wildrunner 2015
A little extra info, in case you need us …
Crew Contact details:
Race Director Owen Middleton 084 221 8422
Race Manager Tamaryn Middleton 072 373 5081
Course Manager Mark Middleton 082 924 5605
Safety & Communications Dave Jupp 083 247 9749
Media Liaison Catharina Robbertze 072 212 2318
Massage Therapy Genevieve Stroombergen 083 565 6108
WILDRUNNER EMERGENCY Safety Officer 072 438 3242
26 ©Wildrunner 2015
Boundless Southern Africa
Bringing together stakeholders across
nine southern African countries
(Angola, Botswana, Lesotho,
Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa,
Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe),
Boundless Southern Africa is a major
regional tourism initiative that jointly markets seven Transfrontier conservation
areas (TFCAs) throughout the sub-region. This joint marketing initiative
encourages greater collaboration in the conservation and preservation of the
region’s rich natural and cultural heritage throughout the region.
The /Ai/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (Namibia and South Africa) is one of
these seven areas. This park encompasses the oldest desert in the world and is
home to an abundance of unique desert flora. It includes the Fish River Canyon –
the world’s second largest canyon – that boasts 194 species of birds, a number of
nomadic tribes, sulphur springs and several archaeological sites dating as far back
as 2200 BC.
Roland Vorwerk – Boundless Southern Africa
The man who makes it happen from Boundless … Born and
educated in Natal, Roland now lives in Pretoria and finds great
joy in his work with Boundless Southern Africa, the marketing
wing of the Department on Environmental Affairs aimed
specifically at promoting the Transfrontier Peace Parks. When not cycling, this
energizer-bunny is either running in the mountains or hiking with friends. He has
an extremely big heart – nothing is too much trouble for him, and it is always
done with a laugh, good food and even better wine. Hook up with Roland on the
run for a good day out!