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 Data Sheet | 2021 Winner Pace | Sub 15Hrs | Sub 20Hrs | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Checkpoints | Location | Discription | Stage distance | Total Distance | Leader Stage Time | Leader In | Leader Time | Tail Stage Time | Tail In | Tail Time | Tail Stage Time | Tail In | Tail Time | CUT-OFF | ||||
| Start | Lady Grey | - | - | - | 4:00 AM | - | - | 4:00 AM | - | - | 4:00 | - | ||||||
| CP 1 | Tower | 7 | 7 | 1h 1m | 5:01 AM | 1h 1m | 1h 55m | 5:55 AM | 1h 55m | 1h 58m | 5:58 | 1h 58m | 6:00 AM | |||||
| CP 2 | Olympus | 11.7 | 18.7 | 1h 25m | 6:26 AM | 2h 26m | 2h 20m | 8:15 AM | 4h 15m | 2h 50m | 8:48 | 4h 48m | 9:00 AM | |||||
| CP 3 | Snowden | Medical Staff | 11.6 | 30.3 | 1h 7m | 7:33 AM | 3h 33m | 1h 55m | 10:10 AM | 6h 10m | 2h 40m | 11:28 | 7h 28m | 11:30 AM | ||||
| CP 4 | Avoca | Medical Staff | 10 | 40.3 | 1h 19m | 8:52 AM | 4h 52m | 2h 15m | 12:25 PM | 8h 25m | 3h 0m | 14:28 | 10h 28m | 2:00 PM | ||||
| CP 5 | Skidaw | 7.5 | 47.8 | 1h 0m | 9:52 AM | 5h 52m | 1h 40m | 2:05 PM | 10h 5m | 2h 30m | 16:58 | 12h 58m | 4:30 PM | |||||
| CP 6 | Balloch | Medical Staff, Bag Dropoff Zone, Seconding Access | 9.5 | 57.3 | 1h 18m | 11:09 AM | 7h 10m | 1h 55m | 4:00 PM | 12h 0m | 2h 30m | 19:28 | 15h 28m | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Finsih | Wartrail Country Club | Medical Staff, Bag Collection Zone, Seconding Access | 7.7 | 65 | 1h 42m | 12:51 PM | 8h 51m | 3h 0m | 7:00 PM | 15h 0m | 4h 30m | 23:58 | 19h 58m | 12:00AM |
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