The Otter – African Trail Run 2010 is on!!!

We are delighted to be able to inform you that the post event evaluation of The Otter 2009 by our host, South African National Parks, has been finalised and they are extremely satisfied with the management of the 2009 event. Magnetic South had exceeded their expectations in implementing the very stringent modus operandi required by the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) which had been drawn up to protect this very sensitive region.

They further commended the trail running participants on their conduct in the park during the event and acknowledged that the event indeed is an asset to the Garden Route National Park. Consequently they have issued a permit for the 2010 event to again be hosted on South Africa’s iconic trail in the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park in September. The final dates will be announced on the website shortly but keep the last week of September open!!!

Environmental Sustainability.
For the unacquainted, The Otter – African Trail Run event enables SANParks to close the Otter Trail and perform vital maintenance on the trail and huts without loss of revenue and still accommodate the same number of “feet” on the trail as they would do under normal operations over the same period. Simultaneously and as importantly to SANParks, this event affords them the opportunity to engage with the trail running community who, per captor, have less of an impact on hiking trails than hikers do and they recognise as value visits to the national parks.

Tremendous Interest.
As you can imagine as a result of the fist running of The Otter – African Trail Run and Southern Storm our offices have received a tremendous amount of interest in subsequent events. The very nature of these events dictates that the numbers of entries will always be limited and as event organisers we are committed to providing a fair opportunity for all to enter this event whilst still rewarding the loyalty of our original participants. The proposed future structuring of this event is that entrants will be given a maximum number of times that they may participate with persons having done previous events receiving first option on entries until they have exceeded the maximum.

Strictly Forbidden.
Please note that, as the Otter Trail is an operating multi day hiking trail with a maximum 12 hiking permits issued per day, trail running on the Otter Trail outside of the organised event is strictly forbidden. Trail runners who trespass on the trail are liable to; criminal prosecution, a life ban from the park, a life ban from the Otter Run and endanger the very prospect of any trail running at all taking place on the Otter Trail.

Important Dates.
Public entries for the Otter and Southern Storm open on midnight the 28th of February 2010. Previous entrants will be given the opportunity to enter 24 hours prior to opening of public entries.

Competition Winner
Thanks to all of you for completing the Hi-Tec Otter African Trail Run Survey – and congratulations to Dieter Gloeck who was the lucky winner of the Hi-Tec Trail Eruption shoes.

We’ll keep you updated

Your Magnetic South Team