Kevin Currie's Staging Area

This was my 30th marathon, and it was the hardest but easily the most memorable.
First of all, you are in the South African savannah! It is a beautiful, magical place. We stayed at Hanglip Lodge, which only has 10 rooms so we got to know all the other runners well, and the staff/rangers were superb. It’s also located on the lower plateau of Entabeni, so super convenient for the daily game drives. The day before the race there is a mandatory course inspection (by jeep), so you can see what you are in for. The course is mainly on direct trails, but with ~6 miles through sand and numerous rocky sections throughout. Trail shoes are recommended. You will be in full sun throughout, and the altitude is ~5,000ft.

Pre race communications were clear. Packet pickup is day before the race, combined with a mandatory course inspection (by jeep), so you can see what you are in for. T-shirt and medal were first-rate.

COURSE DETAILS: Make no mistake, this course will test you from beginning to end, but it will reward you with beauty in equal measure! It’s cold at the start (winter in South Africa) but quickly warms up and was in the 70s most of the race. There is very little shade anywhere though and the sun is blazing, so sunscreen is a must. You start with a significant climb then continue with a more gradual incline to the turnaround at Hanglip viewpoint. Around mile 7 you head down Yellowwood Valley for ~1.5 miles – this is the only paved part and it is super steep. Very hard to run here and maintain control, so baby steps and zig zagging are the way to go. At the bottom is a loop of ~6-7 miles on the lower plateau through ankle deep sand – this is tough on the legs. At the end of that you arrive back at Yellowwood Valley and – you guessed it – you go back up that long super steep hill. This was the hardest 1.5 miles of my life, could only take a few steps at a time before needing to rest and catch my breath. Some people were crawling. It’s no joke, but it does end and things level out for the next several miles, before you encounter some more hills and rocky trails in the last 2-3.
I saw wildebeest and rhino while running (and elephants en route to the start), but the rangers make sure the lions are nowhere near! The aid stations were so much fun – water, coke, and bundles of enthusiasm. Many times you are on your own (only ~200 runners) – stop a moment, take pictures, and soak in the majesty of the location – it is wonderful.

Post-race party brought all 4 lodges together for a great evening. It was a traditional South African braii – food, drinks, music, so much fun! Throughout the week there were game drives where we saw all kinds of animals close up – lions, cheetahs, elephants and so many more.

I can’t recommend this race (and the whole experience) enough. Yes it was hard, but it’s an experience like none other, in a place you will not forget. The Albatross staff (Ricky!!) and the lodge staff and rangers were outstanding.