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Race Infomation

SkyRun

65KM

Distance

65KM

Elevation

3145 M

Cut Off

20 Hours

Checkpoints

6

SkyRun 65

SkyRun 65 is for those who want to live a lifetime in a day. You’ll have the opportunity to cross the remote Dragons Back, rest at the breathtaking Balloch Caves, and cross The Wall – hopefully just before sunset, with the possibility of finishing before dark.

Route Description

SkyRun 65 starts in Lady Grey and finishes at the Wartrail Country Club. Crossing a stream early on, it’s a sharp climb out of Lady Grey. There is a combination of hiking trails and mountain running to CP 1 – Tower (7 km). Climbing to the Tower, the majestic landscape unfolds in front of you, and already there is a feeling of being on top of Africa. The route now consists of narrow weaving cattle trails, leaving you to choose whether to go low or high over and over again. Make your way along the ridge line to CP 2 – Olympus (18.7 km). Take in the view of many layers of mountain ridges straight in front of you while following a runnable 4×4 track leading to CP 3 – Snowden (30.3km). The natural spring Old Faithful comes up next and is a great place to fill your water supply before the challenging climb up to CP 4 – Avoca (40.3 km). Avoca Peak is the highest point on the route (2756 masl) and the climb up is challenging because of the steep gradient and rough terrain. The Dragons Back is a feature that needs to be traversed to be believed – a ridge line about 3 meters wide with steep descents on either side. It’s a spectacular viewing point on a clear day, and very exposed when the weather is bad. The route flattens out for a while as you move towards CP 5 – Skidaw (47.8km). A technical descent into the valley, you’ll follow the river leading you to CP 6 – Balloch (57.3 km). Don’t spend too much time with friends and family here, because you’re not done yet – staring you in the face is The Wall (a vertical ascent of over 500 m in less than 3 km). Once down the other side, turn right onto the dirt road, and what awaits you is the finish line at Wartrail Country Club.

Accommodation

Pre-Start (SkyRun 100 & SkyRun 65): Lady Grey has a wide range of accommodation options walking distance from the start line. The Mountain View Country Inn is right next to the start line, and many other B&B’s and Backpackers in the area can be found at:
www.ladygreytourism.co.za.

Post-Start (SkyRun 100 & SkyRun 65): The only seconding point on the route is at CP 6 – Balloch, and accommodation options are available at Balloch Caves. An overnight stop here is a great way to feel part of the race, and has some of the most remarkable scenery in the area. For bookings, visit: www.ballochcottages.co.za.

Post-Finish (SkyRun 100 & SkyRun 65): There are accommodation options at Wartrail Country Club and in the area, for more B&B options and activities in this truly beautiful part of our country, visit: www.wartrail.co.za.

Directions

SkyRun 100 & SkyRun 65 race registration:
Lady Grey Country Club

SkyRun 100 & SkyRun 65 race start:
Mountain View Country Inn

SkyRun 38 race registration & race start:
Wartrail Country Club

Lady Grey can be accessed through all the major road networks in South Africa:
Bloemfontein – Lady Grey: 2 hours 45 minutes
Durban – Lady Grey: 8 hours
Johannesburg – Lady Grey: 6 hours 30 minutes
Cape Town – Lady Grey: 11 hours 30 minutes

Schedule
Pace Chart
65km Pace ChartRecord PaceSub 12HrsSub 15HrsSub 18Hrs
CheckpointsLocationStage distanceTotal DistanceCP Split TimeReal TimeLeader TimeCP Split TimeReal TimeOverall TimeCP Split TimeReal TimeOverall TimeCP Split TimeReal TimeOverall TimeCUT-OFF
StartLady Grey---4:00 AM--4:00 AM--4:00 AM--4:00 AM-
CP 1Tower771h 4m5:04 AM1h 4m1h 20m5:19 AM1h 20m1h 38m5:38 AM1h 38m1h 54m5:54 AM1h 54m6:00 AM
CP 2Olympus11.718.71h 25m6:28 AM2h 29m1h 52m7:12 AM3h 12m2h 13m7:51 AM3h 51m2h 40m8:33 AM4h 34m9:00 AM
CP 3Snowden11.630.31h 5m7:34 AM3h 34m1h 31m8:43 AM4h 44m1h 53m9:44 AM5h 45m2h 14m10:48 AM6h 48m11:30 AM
CP 4Avoca1040.31h 21m8:55 AM4h 55m1h 57m10:40 AM6h 41m2h 25m12:10 PM8h 10m2h 51m1:39 PM9h 39m2:00 PM
CP 5Skidaw7.547.80h 50m9:45 AM5h 45m1h 25m12:05 PM8h 6m1h 47m1:56 PM9h 57m2h 4m3:42 PM11h 43m4:30 PM
CP 6 (IN)Balloch Caves9.557.31h 5m10:50 AM6h 50m1h 32m1:37 PM9h 38m1h 58m3:55 PM11h 55m2h 19m6:01 PM14h 1m7:00 PM
CP 6 (OUT)Balloch Cottage057.30h 1m10:51 AM6h 51m0h 8m1:46 PM9h 46m0h 22m4:17 PM12h 18m0h 35m6:36 PM14h 37m8:00 PM
FinishWartrail Country Club7.7651h 11m12:01 PM8h 2m2h 13m3:51 PM12h 0m2h 45m6:40 PM15h 3m3h 24m9:25 PM18h 1m12:00AM
Mens Record - 08:02:11 - Grobler BassonLadies Record - 09:41:51 - Landie Greyling
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..

DURATION: Anything from 8hrs to 16hrs

 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 65 Fast Facts
VENUE: Lady Grey
DISTANCE : 65KM
TIME OF YEAR: November
ENTER AS : Individuals
CUT-OFFS: Will be enforced
AVERAGE DURATION : 10/14 hrsww.skyrun.co.za