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The purpose of the WILDSERIES events

The WILDSERIES was established to profile South Africa’s spectacular natural heritage while raising funds for endangered species (cranes, rhino, wild dog and the bearded vulture) as well as to support the work of our conservation partners, KZN Ezemvelo and SANParks.

The series comprises of three unique trail-running and two mountain-biking events, namely the Three Cranes, Mont-Aux-Sources, Golden Gate, iMfolozi and Somkhanda MTB Challenges respectively. Each held in a protected area where the public would not normally have access.

WILDSERIES Three Cranes Challenge 2021

The Three Cranes Challenge is a 3-day stage event, allowing participants to traverse approximately 100km through some of the most pristine sections of the Karkloof valley. After a challenging 2020, the 2021 edition of Three Cranes Challenge promises to be an exciting event with some familiar trails mixed up with a few new twists and turns.

What is new in 2021?

The WILDSERIES team will be introducing two new distances, one for those who are not yet fit enough to run long distances for 3 consecutive days and one for the CRAZY overachieving runner. This shorter new offering is to cater for those who are looking to be immersed in nature to shut out the city buzz, relax, breathe in fresh, clean, crisp air and get in touch with their  WILD side.

Option 1

Three Cranes Colt Run (10km)

If you are looking for a light outdoor experience, then enter the new Three Cranes Colt Run. This will be a 10-kilometre trail run that will start from the Karkloof Conservancy Centre to the base camp at Bushwillow Caravan Park. The Colt Run is open to the public and will be capped at 200 runners. All the funds raised through this run will be used for Crane Conservation Projects in partnership with Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) who have been instrumental in the success of crane conservationin the Karkloof for many years.

Option 2

Three Cranes Challenge Ultra (1-day 100km)

This option is not for the faint at heart and will be by INVITE ONLY and LIMITED TO 30 RUNNERS. The Three Cranes Challenge Plus is a non-stop 100-kilomtere which will take the selected 30 runners through the 3 day course in reverse. Runners will start together with the main field on Friday morning to run Day 1. At the end of the day, the Plus runners will have the opportunity to replenish their food supply and water then continue onto the Day 3 route then make their way back to base to replenish their stocks to finish off on the Day 2 trail.

To experience this gruelling challenge, please send your motivation and application to HannoL@wildtrust.co.za

Covid-19 Alert

With all the excitement of new experiences, it is important to touch on the impacts of Covid-19 to how we will run the event weekend in 2021. All the best practices will be adhered to as prescribed at the time of running the event. We will wait to see if there are any new protocols closer to event date but rest assured that we will alert all our participants should anything need to be changed. Depending on which way the pendulum swings, these are the following important precautions we would like to put upfront:

  • In case we are forced back into a stricter lockdown and the event cannot be held; the event will be postponed to the 22nd –  25th of April 2021.
  • In case of an extended lockdown entries will be allowed to roll over to 2022 – that date will be confirmed, alternatively a refund will be made of the full entry fee minus the conservation donation.
  • Non-Covid-19 cancellations will be accepted up until 6 weeks prior to the event. Refunds in this case will be equal to the entry fee minus the conservation donation. Between 6 weeks prior and 3 weeks prior non-Covid-19 related cancellations will be reduced to 50% of the entry fee.

Format:

3- Day stage trail run

or

10km trail run

or

100km trail run 1 Day (non-stop) 

Dates and Venue:

25 February 2021:       Registration at Bushwillow Campsite

26 February 2021:       Day 1 – 35.4km starting from Bushwillow

100km race starting from Bushwillow

27 February 2021:       Day 2 – 42.2km starting from Bushwillow

10km Chick Run starting from Karkloof Conservancy Centre

28 February 2021:       Day 3 – 22.4km starting from Bushwillow 

The Routes:

The routes will be finalized by the end of January 2021 and the gpx/gps? files made available. The route will not be marked, and it is essential that you can self-navigate around the course. At critical junctions and/or dangerous places markings will be applied

Due to the self-navigational nature of the course race briefings are very important and is compulsory for all participants. The course for the next day will be discussed in detail at the race briefing

A navigation device is essential otherwise you can use a smartphone with maps.windy or Gaia maps loaded. You can download Gaia here for iPhone and Andoid. Alternatively, maps.wind can be found here for iPhone and here for Android.

Times: Three Cranes Challenge Day 1 will start at 05:30am.

  • Batches will go off every 5 minutes

Three Cranes Challenge Ultra will start at 06:30am.

Three Cranes Challenge Day 2 will start at 05:30am.

  • Batches will go off every 5 minutes

Three Cranes Colt Run will start at 08:00am.

Three Cranes Challenge Day 3 will start at 04:30am.

  • Batches will go off every 5 minutes 

Refreshments:

The Three Cranes Challenge is a ‘cupless’ event and this has been the case for more than 2 years – we are a green conscious event. There will be no cups at refreshment tables. Please remember to pack your collapsible or reusable cup. The tables will be well-stocked with snacks and food for the race. The basic snacks that will be provided at each table will include:

  • Water
  • Coke
  • Stoney
  • Chips
  • Sweets
  • Cookies
  • Fruit
  • Potatoes
  • Fatty Biltong
  • Mixed Nuts

Compulsory Kit:

We will be strict when it comes to having your compulsory kit. If you do not have the compulsory gear at the start you will not be allowed to start the event. Your safety is our top priority.

  • Navigation Device (or use an app on your Cell Phone)
  • Hydration vest with 1.5 litre water capacity. You need to start with 1.5 litres of water
  • A Cup – The tables will not have any cups for Coke and water.
  • Rain jacket
  • Space blanket
  • 1 Emergency energy bar
  • Fully charged cell phone
  • Mask/s
  • Sanitizer

Entry Fees and details of Entry

Three Cranes Challenge R2800 + R600 conservation donation

Three Cranes Challenge Ultra R3000 + R1000 conservation donation

Three Cranes Colt Run R200

Three Cranes Challenge and Challenge Plus Packages:

  • Race garment
  • A designated campsite (no tent) big enough for a standard two-man tent to be pitched
  • Sufficient refreshment tables
  • Dinner and breakfasts from Thursday evening untilSunday morning
  • Snacks in an exclusive runner zone
  • New GPS tracks for the route

 

You will be able to purchase extra campsites if you want to pitch a bigger tent or if you want to bring the whole family to camp (R500 per campsite). You will also be able to buy extra meal packages for the weekend (R700 p/p for the weekend).

 

Queries:

Should anyone have queries, kindly contact Hanno on HannoL@wildtrust.co.za or 063 257 8654.

 

Fundraising:

All funds raised through this event will be used to enable the crane conservation work being done by the WILDTRUST, Karkloof Conservancy as well as Endangered Wildlife Trust.

 

Social Media:

Follow all the weekend activities on all our social media platforms:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/WildSeriesTrail

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WildSeriesSA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wild_series/