THE NUM-NUM ANNUAL TRAIL RACE 2011

INFORMATION PACK

SPONSORED BY:

SPORTSMANS WAREHOUSE MILLYʼS KEEPA

PIGGS PEAK CASINOS

ORGANISED BY:

THE NUM-NUM TRAIL WWW.TRAILRUNNING.CO.ZA

Format: Solo Distances: 58km, 43km, 15km Terrain: Some steep ascents and descents Date: 15 July – 17 July 2011 Bookings: email info@thenum-numtrail.co.za Contact: 082 889 6757 or 013 256 9263 Here is a brand new kid on the block. The Num-Num trail in Mpumalanga will be holding their first annual trail race on the 16th July 2011. The race will cover open escarpment, sandstone formations, kloofs, waterfalls and yellow-wood forests. A truly spectacular natural wonderland. This will be a fun filled weekend with pristine landscapes, excellent food and entertainment. For pictures please go to our website: http://www.thenum-numtrail.co.za/

WHERE The Num-Num trail is in the beautiful Skurweberg in Mpumalanga. We are between Machadodorp and Badplaas on the R541. It is 3 hours from Johannesburg/Pretoria and 1.5 hours from Nelspruit. See below for direction on how to find us. RACE CATERGORIES There are three race categories for men and women:

1) Main Race: 58km 2) Marathon: 43km 3) Fun Run: 15km

PARTICIPANTS Entry to the race will be limited to 100 runners. Entrants should be over 16 years old. People should have a high level of fitness. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, you should consult a doctor before booking. FRIENDS AND FAMILY There are 50 spaces available for friends and family. Priority will be given to runners. Accommodation is shared. We will try to facilitate groups being together where possible. ENTRY FEE The cost for runners and their guests is R1,850. This includes:

• Accommodation for 2 nights • Meals and soft-drinks • T-shirt, cap and certificate • ʻWater tablesʼ at the 5 camps • On-site paramedics

ENTRY FEE EXCLUDES

• Transport to and from the start of the race • Alcohol – bring your own • Race supplements and personal nutrition

ITINERARY Friday, 15 July 1pm – 8pm Arrival at Pongola Express – registration and camp allocation 6pm – 10pm Boerewors braai and sponsor welcome 7.30pm Runnerʼs Briefing Saturday, 16 July 5am First group starts. Runners will set off in groups of 5 – 10 people and each stage

(between camps) will be timed. 12.30 – 2pm Lunch served at each of the camps 5pm Race finish 7.30pm Prize giving and feast Sunday, 17 July 7 – 10am Breakfast

HOW TO BOOK To book: 1. Go to www.trailrunning.co.za and book through the online process. You will need to provide the details of

each individual you are booking for. Here is the link: http://www.trailrunning.co.za/events_detail.php?id=471&&type=current

2. You will be sent a quote 3. If you accept then send an electronic transfer payment 4. A ʻpermitʼ confirming your booking will be sent to you. The full fee is required in order to secure your race and accommodation booking:

− Substitutes will be allowed until 15 June 2011. The original person who booked must notify us by email. − Cancellations 0 to 14 days prior forfeit 100% of the fee − Cancellations 14 to 28 days prior forfeit 50% of the fee or 15% (+ VAT) of the booking quote value,

whichever the greater. − Cancellations more than 28 days prior forfeit 25% of the fee or 15% (+ VAT) of the booking total,

whichever the greater. − We only accept one payment per group

BANKING DETAILS Only electronic transfers will be accepted. BANK FNB BRANCH MACHADODORP BRANCH CODE 270 451 ACCOUNT NAME The Num-Num Trail CC ACCOUNT Cheque ACCOUNT NUMBER 622 575 847 82 Please include the following REFERENCE with your payment – YOUR SURNAME AND ʻRACEʼ

**************IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE LOW DOWN FROM BRUCE ARNETTE - RACING SNAKE In early December last year I had the opportunity to run the Num-Num trail with a friend. The trail is on the Mpumalanga escarpment near Machadodorp and tracks along edges of the scarp in places and drops down off it into various valleys and forests. The trail is a five day hiking trail with overnight huts in some lovely locations. The trail passes through highveld grasslands, some open protea veld slopes and drops down into many montane forest valleys with several mountain waterfalls. One has to be careful running through these forests as the rocks can be wet and moss covered. The route involves quite a considerable amount of climb and descent and the trail is often of a twisting rocky nature although it is well marked and runners should not stray off the trail in error. Overall the route takes in a diverse range of mountain scenery and provides a thorough challenge, well rewarded by great views. Racing snakes should take around five hours and most runners will take 7 to 9 hours for the entire trail. REGISTRATION • Runners will be required to register the day before the race, 15 July from 1pm to 8pm, at Pongola Express

Camp. • When you register you will be allocated your Num-Num number.

• All guests will be required to sign an Indemnity form. Please bring your ID Number. • A briefing will take place at 7.30pm at the Pongola Express Camp on 15 July. RACE DAY • The race will start at 5am on 16 July 2011. There will be staggered groups of 5 – 10 people. Your time will

be allocated to you at registration. • There will be 5 water tables. One at each camp. • The race will be timed. Please ensure that you sign in with the ʻTime Stewardʼ at each camp. • The route will be marked but you should still take care as we will try to reduce the ʻfootprintʼ of the markings. ACCOMMODATION There is accommodation in the five hiking camps for a total of 150 people. These camps are in unique and beautiful settings. Two of the camps do not have electricity. People will have to share. Pongola Express Camp This camp is based around renovated 1934 railway coaches. There are 6 compartments that sleep 2 to 4 people. A wide covered veranda and indoor dining area provide a good socialising space. Godʼs Window Camp Two double story huts snuggled into the spectacular sandstone formations. Each hut sleeps 8 people in bunk beds. There are ʻloos with a viewʼ and a viewing deck. Four trout dams are nearby and cost R200 per rod on a catch-and-release basis. Wathaba Camp (No electricity) This camp offers either Bottlebrush Haven with 3 rooms sleeping either single or double or Kiepersol Camp with single or double beds. Both camps are on the banks of the Schoonspruit River where one can cool off and swim after the days race. There is wheel chair access at this camp. Bermanzi Camp Spectacular views across the escarpment. There are four rooms with bunk beds and a very cosy kitchen. Candlewood Camp (No electricity) This green camp has a wonderful view of Uitkomst Waterfall. Hot water is supplied by an old-fashioned donkey geyser (wood burning). There are two huts that each sleeps 10 people in bunk beds. No outdoor braai between May and October. WHAT TO BRING All the camps have firewood, toilet paper, mattresses, chairs, tables, kitchen equipment, hot water and braai facilities. Wathaba and Candlewood do not have electricity and therefore no fridges. Please bring with you: • Sleeping bag and pillow • Towel • Rain gear – it is possible to experience ALL weather conditions in one day • Hat • Fleece • Water bottle. It is safe (and delicious) to drink the water. Do not refill or drink from stagnant pools! • Sunscreen • Torch • First aid kit (including plasters and antiseptic) • Insect repellent • Matches / lighter • Additional snacks and energisers You do NOT have to bring:

• Mattresses • Kitchen equipment (i.e. cutlery, crockery, pots and pans) • Toilet paper • Firewood • Tables and chairs FLORA AND FAUNA There has been significant work done to get rid of alien vegetation and the estates are now home to: • More than 109 species of trees and the majority have been marked on the hiking tails. • Blesbok, Wildebeest, Zebras and Hartebeest. In 2011 our first baby zebra was born! • A herd of Nguni cows, who are native to Southern Africa. • Tame donkeys and a herd of horses. • A wide variety of birds including Blacksmith Plovers, Crested Eagles, Weavers, Redwinged Starlings,

Franklins, Swallows, Swifts, Pintail Whydahs, Fish Eagles, Knysna and Purple-crested Louries, Ravens, Crows, Black Gorge Ducks, Korhaan, Egrets. Tell us in the visitorʼs book if you spot any unusual birds.

• Troops of baboons. Please do not feed them or leave food outside of the camps!!! HOW TO FIND US The Num-Num trail is 3 hours from Hyde Park in Johannesburg. Follow the N12 past OR Tambo airport towards Benoni and eMalahleni (previously Witbank). It turns into the N4 at eMalahleni. At Machadodorp take the R541 towards Badplaas. See map below of Machadodorp. GPS co-ordinates for Pongola Express Camp: 25° 47ʼ 49” S 30° 22ʼ 25” E

ARRIVALS Please go directly to Pongola Express camp to register. You will then be directed to your over night camp. THE SURROUNDING AREA The approximate distance from the Pongola Express to the closest towns is listed below. • Machadodorp – 25km, R541. Nearest ATM, garage, butchery and general store. Millyʼs on the N4 sells

fresh trout. • Badplaas - 35 km, R541 • Belfast – 45km, N4 • Dullstroom – 75.8km, N4 and R540 • Nelspruit – 120km, N4 EMERGENCY AND USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS Cell phone reception can be sporadic. Please note that at certain points on the path there are ʻno entry signsʼ. These can be used as emergency exits. The Num-Num Trail Race 0799 024 530 082 889 6765 Num-Num Trail

072 889 9284 079 877 6909 Machadodorp Ambulance 24 hours - 013 253 0114 Emthonjeni Clinic – 013 256 0186 Kuphila Medical Centre - 013 256 9911 Caltex Garage - 013 256 0340 Machado Shell Garage - 013 256 0191 Police station - 013 256 0004 Towing Service - 072 310 8938 LOST AND FOUND If you have lost any items please contact us on 072 889 9284. Any items that are not claimed after a month will be given to our staff. FIRE Fire is a hazard. Please take cigarette butts with you. Only braai in the designated areas and make sure all fires are out before leaving a camp. No outdoor fires are allowed at Candlewood from May – October. FEEDBACK This is the first trail race that we have organised. We would love to have your comments and suggestions so that we know what we are doing right and what we need to improve on. Please either complete the feedback form in your entry bag or send us an email to:info@thenum-numtrail.co.za. We also have a Num-Num Trail Facebook page. If you have any great photographs please post them on our page or write a recommendation on our wall.

From all The Num-Num Team we hope you have an incredible

race! Please note that the Num-Num Trail owners accept NO RESPONSIBLITY OR LIABILITY for: • Death, injury or illness sustained or suffered by any person. • Theft, loss or damage to any property. • Any item left behind at our facilities.