DATES:

• Entries opened 26th September 2012 at 12pm (CAT) and are accepted on a first-come first-served basis.
• Event dates are 18-20 April 2013 (Thursday – Saturday).
• Registration on evening of the 17th April 2013 (Wednesday).

STAGES:

• Day 1: 44km Ha Searle (Near Malealea Lodge) to Semonkong via the Ketane Waterfall.
• Day 2: 28km Semonkong to Semonkong via Maletsunyane gorge & waterfall.
• Day 3: 40km Semonkong to Ramabanta via Thaba Putsoa Ridge and Baboons Pass.

START TIMES:

• Day 1: 6h30am
• Day 2: 7h00am
• Day 3: 6h15am

2013 LESOTHO WILDRUN ENTRY

• There are 50 solo places available only & entries are taken on a first-come-first-served basis.
• Those that do not make it onto the initial 50 will automatically go on to a waiting list listed according to the date and time entries are received.  Those on the waiting list be notified as and when entries places become available.
• The entry fee for 2013 Lesotho Wildrun is R7650 (see below for includes/excludes).
• The full entry fee is due on or before the 26th October 2012.  Should your entry fee not be received by this time, the entrant next on the waiting list will be notified automatically and have 42 hours in which to confirm failing which the system will continue down the waiting list.
• Your entry is only confirmed once your entry fee has been received.
• 85% of any entry fee paid will be refunded if any entry is cancelled in writing on or before 15 February 2013.
• From 15 February until 25 March 2013 only substitutions will be allowed.  Ultimately, it is the runner’s responsibility to find a substitute, but we can assist with offering your entry to those runners on the waiting list.  However, we offer no guarantee that your entry will be taken by the waiting list.
• From 1 February 2013, any refunds for substitutions that we secure on your behalf will be less 15%.  If no substitute is found, then unfortunately no refund can be made.
• Entries are open to runners over the age of 18 years only.
• You do not need to be a member of any athletics club to take part in the Lesotho Wildrun.
• You will be required to have a medical check-up done & signed by a doctor before the event. A medical form will be sent to you closer to the time, which you will need to complete and return within the date specified.
• You will be required to sign an indemnity form prior to the event start, at registration.
• Each and every runner must have suitable travel and medical insurance for the duration of the Lesotho Wildrun event, including travel days.
• PLEASE NOTE: This a tough wilderness mountain running event that takes you deep into remote high mountain environments. By it’s very nature you will need to be self sufficient and carry the compulsory equipment listed. Please confider your experience before entering and feel free to contact us for any more information.

THE ENTRY FEE INCLUDES

• Shared hotel/lodge accommodation during the Lesotho Wildrun (4 nights). On the entry form you can select who you want to share with where twin rooms are applicable and we will endeavour to put you with that person. Alternatively, the organizers will place appropriately.
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the Wildrun starting with dinner on the evening of registration and finishing with breakfast (if early departure then breakfast pack) on the day of departure (morning after the finish).
• Transfer from Ramabanta Trading Post to Malealea Lodge for the night before the start.
• A yearly-dated Lesotho Wildrun Buff or Beanie.
• 3l aQuelle bottled water per day
• Transport of your runner bag from start to the finish each day.
• Secure parking at Ramabanta Lodge for the duration of the Wildrun.

ENTRY FEE EXCLUDES

• Transport to and from the start & finish of the Lesotho Wildrun.
• A GPS
• Drinks at any of the Lodges. NB No room-tabs – drinks/snacks must be paid for up-front
• Race supplements & personal nutrition.
• Travel & medical insurance.

SUBSTITUTIONS

• Substitutions will be allowed until 25 March 2013.
• The original entrant must notify us in writing on or before the 25 March 2013 with the name and contact details of the person taking over the entry.
• A substitute must complete an entry form.
• The substitute will also need to submit the medical form.
• A 15% substitution fee will be forfeited by the original entrant and will be deducted from any refund made.

WILDRUN GENERAL

• The route is NOT marked. Every runner will require a GPS that can hold and store up to 200 waypoints (these will be sent to you 10 days ahead of the event) and have a battery life of at least 12hours (or enable you to change batteries). You will be provided with a waterproof and tear proof map, complete with waypoint lists and route descriptions (see ‘Route’).
• Runners must carry water and nutrition for the duration of each day’s run. There will be NO water-tables en route as there are plenty of mountain streams with better water than we can supply.
• There will be at least one check point en route each day, for control and safety purposes.  It is your responsibility to be checked in at these check points.
• There will be an equipment check before the start of each day, and at the finish of each day.  It is your responsibility to carry all the compulsory gear, failure to do so could result in you being removed from the event.  This is for your own and others safety.
• A race sweeper will follow the last runner and will be in radio contact with the organizers.
• There will be two dedicated event medics on standby in the event of an emergency.
• If you withdraw from the Wildrun it is your responsibility to inform the organizers as soon as possible – failure to do so could result in an extensive and costly man hunt.
• If you withdraw from the Wildrun without requiring medical attention, we will assist, where possible, in transporting you to each day’s venue until the finish venue only.
• The Wildrun will be timed and results posted daily.
• Results are based on accumulative time.
• No seconding allowed.
• PLEASE NOTE: This a tough wilderness mountain running event that takes you deep into remote high mountain environments. By it’s very nature you will need to be self sufficient and carry the compulsory equipment listed. Please confider your experience before entering and feel free to contact us for any more information.

COMPULSORY KIT

Temperatures can change in Lesotho by as much as 15°C in a day, with sunny weather replaced by icy rain or even snow.  You are required to carry the equipment listed below without exception, as this is for your own safety and the safety of those around you.  In this kind of terrain, it can be hours before help can arrive, so it is imperative that you have enough water, food and protective clothing in the event you need to sit tight and wait for help.  To rely on other runners for their kit is unacceptable, and puts them as well as you at risk.  There will be gear checks done for your own safety.  Anyone repeatedly not carrying this equipment will be pulled off the event.

• Running bag with minimum 10l capacity – 15l recommended.  NO bum bags
• Waterproof jacket (NO ponchos, apple jackets, Helium jackets or such will pass as a waterproof jacket)
• At least a long sleeve micro fleece (NOT a wick-dry base layer, but something warm)
• A beanie/fleece hat (NOT a Buff)
• Dry bag/zip locks to keep clothes dry
• Capacity to carry 2 litres of water minimum
• Suitable nutrition for the duration of your run, plus a little extra just in case…
• Mobile phone (charged and on throughout the run)
• GPS with spare batteries
• Headlamp and spare batteries (unless the batteries are new and it’s a long-life LED headlamp)
• Emergency blanket
• Whistle
• Personal medication & basic first aid (must include Hand Warmers)
• Lesotho Wildrun Map (supplied)
• Compass

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

• Wind protective shell (great to run in typical windy mountain conditions)
• Buff
• Hat

WHAT ELSE TO PACK

• Your GPS
• You will receive a Lesotho Wildrun kitbag with Wildrun goodies when you register.  This is the only bag that will be transported during the Lesotho Wildrun, and must include all you need for the three days.
• You can pack a second bag to leave in your car at Ramabanta – you can then access it as soon as you arrive at the finish.
• Other than the list above,  we suggest the following:
• • A change of warm clothes for the evening – a sleeveless down jacket is a real asset
  • Slip slops/sandals for evenings
  • A spare pair of running shoes to alternate if (when!) one gets wet
  • Small towel – travel towel is ideal
  • Dry bag to keep your kit in your bag dry – Sea to Summit makes light ones
  • Zinc oxide plaster for preventative strapping
  • Camera with a clean card – there is so much you will want to capture!

REGISTRATION

• You must collect your Wildrun number at registration.
• You must fill in and sign the indemnity form at registration.
• You will need to present your ID/Passport at registration, as well as your original signed Medical Form.
• Registration will be the day before the Wildrun starts, when you arrive from Ramabanta (between 16h30 and 17h00) on Wednesday evening.
• Briefing will be at 19h30 on the Wednesday evening at the same venue as registration.

TRAVEL FACTS

• Airline carriers: SAA (Airways, Airlink,Express) is the only convenient way to get to Bloemfontein  - your closest point of access to Ramabanta, where you need to be at the latest 12 midday. (You can fly to Maseru, although this is a lot more expensive.)
• Distance from airport to Ramabanta (where you park your car):  160km (leave 3hrs max, including border crossing).
• Distance from finish back to airport:  As above.
• Driving to Lesotho:  127km from Bloemfontein Airport to Maseru.  From Maseru it’s 75.5km to Ramabanta Trading Post Lodge – the final nights stay and where you park your car in secure parking. You can leave any extra kit for the final night and day of departure in your car, and it will be accessible when you arrive at the finish on Saturday.
• All runners will be transferred from Ramabanta to the start venue.  This transfer will leave 13h00.
• If you decide to fly, it is each runner’s responsibility to arrange a transfer to the start and back to Bloemfontein from the finish in advance.

LWR Distance map

LESOTHO WEATHER

• Lesotho’s weather is unpredictable, and snow has -  over time -  been recorded at Semonkong every month of the year.   The end of March/April represents the transition from the summer rainfall months to the cold, and largely clear & dry Winter months (although frontal systems regularly pass through with heavy doses of rain & snow as a reality)

ACCOMMODATION

• During the race, accommodation and meals are supplied by the following hotels (full details of what is “included” and “excluded” below):
• Day 0: Malealea Lodge, Malealea
• Day 1 & 2: Semonkong Lodge, Semonkong.
• Day 3: Trading Post Lodge, Ramabanta.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Friends & family are welcome to follow the Lesotho Wildrun; however the hotels and accommodation along the way are reserved for runners & crew as priority.  PLEASE DO NOT contact the lodges directly, as they will only refer you back to us!

There are limited camping spots available for friends and family at all three lodges that we visit, and will be available on a first-come first-served basis. Alternatively, you can stay at Ramabanta when the event is at Semonkong (arrival day 1 and whole of day 2) and travel in each day (roughly 1hr drive from Ramabanta to Semonkong), and likewise stay at Roma when the event is at Ramabanta (Roma to Ramabanta is about 30min).

On occasion, there are double beds that are only being occupied by one runner, and so we can in some situations make a plan – BUT there are no guarantees and if we say there is no space then unfortunately you will need to make your own plan at an alternative accommodation.  We will assist where possible, and any travel & accommodation arrangements will need to be paid up front. Runner accommodation will only be allocated with other runners, if you make other arrangements that is for your own account and no refund will be given.

RUNNER COMMUNICATION

• Runner communication will be by email and via updates to this website only.
• If you are on Facebook, feel free to join the Wildrun Facebook page or follow us on Twitter at @wildrunnerza.
• Directions, pre-race accommodation lists and service providers will be published online closer to the time.
• Results will be posted daily.

WILDERNESS ETIQUETTE

• Take only memories and leave only footprints – please don’t leave any litter or take any souvenirs.
• If you need to do a number 2, do it somewhere private, dig a small hole (15cm) and bury your waste.
• Be friendly and courteous to the local people, it’s their land. Try some Sesotho along the way.
• Lumela = Hello!
• U phela joang? = How are you?
• Kea Leboha! = Thank you!
• Ke phela hantle! = I am fine!
• hatsetse or futhumetse = cold or hot
• Ke kgathetse = I am tired
• Sala hantle = Goodbye (to person staying)
• Please do not give sweets to the local kids.  You won’t get asked in the remote areas, but around Ramabanta and Semonkong you might.

USEFUL DOCUMENTS

Running at altitude: Click here to read about running at altitude