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Sports<br />
K ARKLOOF100<br />
The Karkloof100 is a 100 Mile<br />
Endurance Foot Race set to take<br />
place on the 23rd of September<br />
2017 in the Karkloof area of<br />
KZN. One of only three 100 mile<br />
trail races in South Africa,<br />
it will be the first to take<br />
place in KwaZulu-Natal. The<br />
Karkloof, renowned for its<br />
indigenous forests, wetlands<br />
and grasslands is an ideal setting<br />
for the extreme challenge<br />
that aims to push the boundaries<br />
of Trail Running in South<br />
Africa by attracting top class,<br />
local and international field to<br />
compete over what is considered<br />
the ultimate distance in<br />
trail running.<br />
The event was borne out<br />
of collaboration between<br />
KZN Trail Running and Trail-<br />
Lab, who together have an indepth<br />
knowledge of both the<br />
local South African trail running<br />
scene and the international<br />
endurance trail races. KZN Trail<br />
Running was established in<br />
2009 and has earned a reputation<br />
of top quality trail running<br />
events around KwaZulu-Natal<br />
and Southern Africa. Johannesburg-based<br />
TrailLab hosts world<br />
class trail training camps, giving<br />
participants the opportunity<br />
to learn from and run with some<br />
of SA’s best trail runners, as<br />
well learn from experts in different<br />
fields on how to improve<br />
their running, trail agility, fitness,<br />
diet and recovery.<br />
“The Karkloof100 aims to<br />
be South Africa’s leading 100<br />
Mile Trail Race incorporating<br />
elements of world renowned<br />
100 milers, whilst adding our<br />
own local flavor,” said Andrew<br />
Booth, co-race director from<br />
KZN Trail Running. “Starting<br />
and finishing at the Karkloof<br />
Country Club 20km outside<br />
of Howick, the route is an out<br />
and back format that meanders<br />
along the flowing trails passing<br />
iconic landmarks such as the<br />
Karkloof Falls.<br />
The challenge will be the<br />
climb up to the Karkloof<br />
escarpment where panoramic<br />
views of the area will open up”<br />
said Booth.<br />
The out and back format<br />
allows for maximum spectator<br />
engagement and the 10 aid<br />
stations will be visited twice<br />
by participants. Pacers will be<br />
allowed in the second half of<br />
the race.<br />
“The course is challenging<br />
in terms of distance and ascent<br />
(nearly 4300m of climbing),<br />
but is not too technical” notes<br />
Jack Davis of TrailLab. “We<br />
feel that the distance speaks for<br />
itself and the smooth, runnable<br />
tracks and trails of the Karkloof<br />
will make this an accessible<br />
100 Miler.” While it is only the<br />
dedicated ultra-runners that can<br />
take on this distance on trail,<br />
the Karkloof100 aims to be as<br />
inclusive as possible, encouraging<br />
seconding and spectating,<br />
and through the inclusion<br />
of pacers.<br />
The event will also host a<br />
50 Mile race for those athletes<br />
looking to test their limits or<br />
building up to tackle the 100<br />
Mile event in 2018.<br />
Details of the event can be<br />
found on www.karkloof100.<br />
co.za and entries will open on<br />
15 February 2017 and are limited<br />
to 120 participants in the<br />
100 Mile event.<br />
Kzn Lifestyle Magazine • Issue 20 35
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