Race Infomation
SkyRun
100KM

Distance
99.4KM

Elevation

Cut Off

Checkpoints
SkyRun 100
The trail starts in Lady Grey and finishes at Wartrail Country Club; after the compulsory stop and medical check at Balloch (55KM into the race), runners can continue their journey.
Route Description
The route climbs sharply out of Lady Grey to the first checkpoint at the Tower; this is about a 12km run and combines hiking and mountain running. Accending towards CP 1 – The Tower, the majestic landscape unfolds, and it now feels as if you are on top of Africa. Following the fence line, you make your way along the ridgeline to the second checkpoint, which is at Olympus, this is another 10km, and the terrain is now devoid of paths and trails, and athletes must decide which is the best route to the checkpoint. After CP 2 – Olympus, the athletes can pick up a small trail that will lead them to the third checkpoint Snowden, 11km or so.
There is a natural spring just past CP 3 – Snowden, where you can fill up your water bladders (it does depend on how much rain has fallen, so not always guaranteed to have a lot of water)—before making your way to the fourth checkpoint Avoca Peak the highest point (2756m) on the race. The climb up Avoca Peak is challenging as the gradient & terrain is steep and rough, especially after a good summer of rain. From CP 4 – Avoca, the route takes you over The Dragon’s Back, a ridgeline about 3 meters wide with a steep descent on either side, a fantastic formation of rocks that is a feature of the race and a spectacular viewing point on a clear day. The route flattens as you move towards the fifth checkpoint at Skidaw, a leg of about 10km. At CP 5 – Skidaw, you descend into the valley down a technical section before picking up the river that will lead you to the compulsory stop at the sixth checkpoint Balloch Cave, having now covered about 55km of the race. Only once Athletes have done their medical and been given the all-clear by the doctor can they continue. It’s upwards and onwards as they take on the challenge of The Wall, a climb with a vertical ascent of over 500m in just 3km and back down the other side on the way to the seventh checkpoint at Edgehill Farm. Most athletes will now be operating in the dark as nightfall will have replaced the harsh African sun. Navigating through the Bridal Pass from CP 7 – Edgehill to the eighth checkpoint at The Turn is tricky. Athletes lose a lot of time trying to find the correct entrance into the Bridal Pass that will lead them onto the ridgeline again. A steady climb up the Pass will take you onto the ridgeline and to CP 8 – The Turn. You will double back toward the Wartrail Country Club via Halston Peak, which is the last checkpoint on the route. The climb down from Halston’s is technical and is more difficult because you are exhausted at this stage but buoyed by the fact that you are now heading to the finish at Wartrail Country Club.
Accommodation
In the town of Lady Grey, there are many accommodation options from the Mountain View Country Inn where race headquarters are based, to the many B&B’s and Backpackers in the area. For more info on what Lady Grey has to offer visit www.ladygreytourism.co.za The only seconding point on the route is at Balloch Caves where athletes’ descend into the valley and can be supported by their seconds. Accommodation options are available at Balloch which has a few chalets and a camping area for seconds. This is some of the most exquisite terrains in the area and well worth the overnight stop. Visit the website www.ballochcottages.co.za or www.wartrail.co.za for more B&B and activities in this truly beautiful part of our country. The race is famous for Margy frost food at Balloch Caves and the finish that all the entrants are able to enjoy as a reward for taking on this epic challenge.
Directions
Schedule
Pace Chart
100km Pace Chart | Location | Discription | CP distance (KM) | Total Distance (KM) | Record Pace | Sub 24Hrs | Sub 30Hrs | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Checkpoint | Location | Discription | CP distance (KM) | Total Distance (KM) | Leader CP Time | Leader Real Time | Leader Overall Time | CP Time | Real Time | Overall Time | CP Time | Real Time | Overall Time | CUT-OFF | ||||
Start | Lady Grey | - | - | - | 4:00 AM | - | - | 4:00 AM | - | - | 4:00 AM | - | ||||||
CP 1 | Tower | 7 | 7 | 1h 0m | 5:00 AM | 1h 0m | 1h 33m | 5:32 AM | 1h 33m | 1h 48m | 5:48 AM | 1h 48m | 6:00 AM | |||||
CP 2 | Olympus | 11.7 | 18.7 | 1h 14m | 6:14 AM | 2h 14m | 2h 5m | 7:37 AM | 3h 38m | 2h 42m | 8:30 AM | 4h 30m | 9:00 AM | |||||
CP 3 | Snowden | Medical Staff | 11.6 | 30.3 | 1h 2m | 7:16 AM | 3h 16m | 1h 47m | 9:25 AM | 5h 25m | 2h 26m | 10:56 AM | 6h 56m | 11:30 AM | ||||
CP 4 | Avoca | Medical Staff | 10 | 40.3 | 1h 0m | 8:16 AM | 4h 16m | 2h 25m | 11:49 AM | 7h 50m | 3h 5m | 2:00 PM | 10h 1m | 2:00 PM | ||||
CP 5 | Skidaw | 7.5 | 47.8 | 1h 0m | 9:16 AM | 5h 16m | 1h 35m | 1:25 PM | 9h 25m | 2h 17m | 4:17 PM | 12h 18m | 4:30 PM | |||||
CP 6 | Balloch | Medical Staff, Bag Dropoff Zone, Seconding Access | 9.5 | 57.3 | 1h 13m | 10:29 AM | 6h 29m | 1h 42m | 3:06 PM | 11h 7m | 2h 15m | 6:32 PM | 14h 32m | 7:00 PM | ||||
CP 7 | Edgehill | 9.4 | 66.7 | 1h 23m | 11:52 AM | 7h 52m | 3h 32m | 6:39 PM | 14h 39m | 4h 24m | 10:56 PM | 18h 57m | 12:30 AM | |||||
CP 8 | Turn | Medical Staff | 16.2 | 82.9 | 2h 23m | 2:15 PM | 10h 15m | 4h 35m | 11:13 PM | 19h 14m | 7h 0m | 5:56 AM | 25h 56m | 6:00 AM | ||||
CP 9 | Halstone | 11.2 | 94.1 | 1h 21m | 3:36 PM | 11h 36m | 3h 13m | 2:27 AM | 22h 27m | 2h 48m | 8:43 AM | 28h 44m | 8:00 AM | |||||
Finish | Wartrail Country Club | Bag Dropoff Zone, Seconding Access | 4.9 | 99 | 0h 32m | 4:08 PM | 12h 8m | 1h 34m | 4:00 AM | 24h 1m | 1h 19m | 10:02 AM | 30h 3m | 10:00 AM |
Destination
The Witteberg is a South African mountain range just off the south-west corner of Lesotho. The range, which rises to 2408 metres, stretches for about 60km from Lundin’s Nek in the east to Lady Grey in the west. The range lends its name to the Witteberg Series, the uppermost fossiliferous sequence of the Cape System of sedimentary rocks in South Africa. The race starts in the town of Lady Grey which is famous for its annual Nativity Play and its quaint houses and incredible scenery. Discover the wonder of Balloch cave along the route with it bushman art and idyllic setting nestled between some of the highest peaks in the Witteberg.
The Witteberg range is one of the most picturesque places in South Africa with some distinctive peaks like Avoca and Halston Peaks dominating the skyline.
Terrain
The Witteberg is a South African mountain range just off the south-west corner of Lesotho. The range, which rises to 2408 metres, stretches for about 60km from Lundin’s Nek in the east to Lady Grey in the west. The range lends its name to the Witteberg Series, the uppermost fossiliferous sequence of the Cape System of sedimentary rocks in South Africa. The race starts in the town of Lady Grey which is famous for its annual Nativity Play and its quaint houses and incredible scenery. Discover the wonder of Balloch cave along the route with it bushman art and idyllic setting nestled between some of the highest peaks in the Witteberg.
The Witteberg range is one of the most picturesque places in South Africa with some distinctive peaks like Avoca and Halston Peaks dominating the skyline..
GRADING: Very Difficult to Extreme depending on the temperature and water on Mountain
DURATION: Anything from 13hrs to 30hrs
CONFIGURATION: Start in Lady grey and traverse the Witteberg Mountain to Wartrail Country Club
START POINT: Lady Grey
GPS COORDINATES: 30.7135°S 27.2186°E
TERRAIN: Mainly no track Navigation by GPS
MAP: Basic map to be provided
TRAIL MARKINGS: NO MARKINGS! Must self-navigate – GPS units/GPS Watches are compulsory
FACILITIES: Camping and B&B in the area
CELL RECEPTION: Minimal coverage in the valley’s on-mountain coverage
BEWARE: Hydration is critical. Keep a look-out for snakes and loose rocks
LOCAL INFO: www.ladygreytourism.co.za
SkyRun 100 Fast Facts
- EVENT NAME: SkyRun 100
- VENUE: Lady Grey
DISTANCE : 100KM- TIME OF YEAR: November
- ENTER
AS : Individuals - CUT-OFFS: Will be enforced
- AVERAGE
DURATION : 16/30 hrs