Route Info
Start and finish: Karkloof Canopy Tours GPS coordinates S29°19’22.03”, E30°15’45.65”
Race day 9th March: 6am registration, race debrief at 6.30am (compulsory), 7am start. Sunrise 5.49am
Shoe cleaning: Honorary Officer Mark Hattingh will be available to help brush shoes. We ask that everyone cleans their shoes either before they come or make use of Mark so that we can make sure no seeds are stuck to your shoes to prevent a possible spread of alien weeds.
Timing: The run is not timed (we are only timing the first three men and women on each route) please take the time to enjoy this special place while you run.
Refreshment tables: There are only 2 refreshment tables (offering chips, fruit, sweets, salt, water & coke) so make sure you have your backpack hydration pack with you. You may drink straight from the streams on the mountain but not in the valley.
This race is a cup-less race, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU BRING YOUR OWN.
Safety:
- Mountain weather can change at any moment and the Karkloof is a well-known mist belt so come well prepared (especially if you are doing the 25km run)
- Wear bright clothes, if you get lost sit down (don’t walk and get more lost), WE WILL COME AND FIND YOU! You can also phone base camp if there is signal on the EMERGENCY NUMBER 0832539244 – Please save this number into your phones NOW.
- You are running in a nature reserve so we ask that you respect the wildlife and watch where you step.
- BOTH ROUTES WILL BE WELL MARKED. Follow the colour markers related to your route, do not vear off the marked track.
- Stay hydrated and let a marshal know if you are not feeling well, don’t try and ‘push through’, your health and well-being is more important.
- You will be running across streams, over rocks, through mud and other terrains so guard your ankles and watch your step.
What to bring: Backpack with hydration pack, rehydrate, chaffing cream, foil space blanket, whistle, cup, plasters, snack bar, suncream, light rain jacket, cap, buff, mobile phone with emergency numbers saved (we will have all your emergency numbers on hand, but also good to have them on you). Tape (to tape up torn shoes), trail running poles if you like to use them.
Tips: Bring Vaseline to coat your ankles before the run to avoid getting ticks
15km & 25km Still Going Ahead for 2024!
Blue Crane 25km – Starting at the Karkloof Canopy Tours the path leads you up into the forest, through streams and over rocks to a steep incline. When exiting the forest, you will come to a road that leads to the top of the first ridge. From here you will branch off right and head up the Giants steps. When you reach the summit take a moment to catch your breath and take in your surrounds! You will now run across the top of the mountain and then back down into the indigenous forest and all the way down to Rockwood. From Rockwood you will head across the organic farmlands of Colbourne dairy and back up to the start.
Blue Crane 15km Starting at the Karkloof Canopy Tours the path leads you up into the forest, through streams and over rocks. When exiting the forest, you will make your way up to the top of the first ridge. From here you will branch off left and head across to the spectacular Rockwood Forest paths. Then down to Rockwood and across Colbourne farmlands and back up to the start.
CANCELLED for 2024
THREE CRANES (3 DAY), WATTLED CRANE (2 DAY) ROUTE approximately 40 km. CROWNED CRANE (ULTRA) ROUTE 75KM
The new 75km Crowned Crane ULTRA will be as the above description but once returning to Bushwillow you will then head out through the plantation and along farm roads towards the beautiful Yarrow Falls. Watch your footing here as the terrain is a bit rocky.
From this point you will run through wetlands, grasslands and along a stunning avenue of trees all the way to the Karkloof Conservation Centre, where you will find a water table. After catching your breath, you will cross the main road and continue running through farmlands until you reach Rockwood where you begin to climb up the mountain. Luckily another water table is located halfway up. It is here that you will be running through rehabilitated wattle plantations and then ascend up into the cool indigenous forest. You can drink the water in these forests, it comes straight from the mountain. The route across the forest is relatively flat and eventually leads you out and down to the Karkloof Canopy Tours where you get to enjoy some well-deserved TIME OUT. The route then takes you back home to Bushwillow across the bottom of the mountain for a very well-deserved rest. Water tables are between 6-8km apart, accurate distances will be given on the day. We have yet to update and add the full ULTRA route to the map, but it will be similar to the GREEN AND ORANGE routes on the map.
CANCELLED for 2024
THREE CRANES ROUTE (3 day) approximately 31km
Day one starts at Bushwillow Park. The trail heads out through plantations and along farm roads towards the beautiful Yarrow Falls. Watch your footing here as the terrain is a bit rocky.
From this point you will run through wetlands, grasslands and along a stunning avenue of trees all the way to the Karkloof Conservation Centre.
After catching your breath at the first water table, you will cross the main road and continue running through farmlands until you reach Rockwood where you begin to climb up the mountain. Luckily water table 2 is located halfway up.
It is here that you will be running through rehabilitated wattle plantations and then ascend up into the cool indigenous forest. You can drink the water in these forests, it comes straight from the mountain. The route across the forest is relatively flat and eventually leads you out and down to the Karkloof Canopy Tours where you get to enjoy some well-deserved TIME OUT and a few of the slides (for the adventurous). The route then takes you back home to Bushwillow across the bottom of the mountain for a well-deserved rest. Water tables are between 6-8km apart, accurate distances will be given on the day.
The map still needs to be updated but the GREEN route is the approximate Day 1 route.
CANCELLED for 2024
THREE CRANES (3 DAY), WATTLED CRANE (2 DAY) 24km
With a 4 am start, it’s an early run up to Twinfalls in the dark (make sure you bring a head lamp). You may hear the eerie sound of the tree hydrax. Do not be afraid! These scary sounding creatures are harmless.
Once you have meandered your way up the mountain you will be greeted by the most amazing sunrise and a scrumptious, delicious bacon and egg roll. It is quite a climb, but the views are worth it and you will feel like you’re on top of the world. The path then leads you to a waterfall before heading back through grasslands and forests, down to Bushwillow. Water tables are between 6-8km apart, accurate distances will be given on the day. The map still needs to be updated but the PINK route is the approximate route.