The Otter- African Trail Run is the only time during the year where runners can legally run the full length of the OTTER in 1 day.

 The event is now it its 3rd year and has grown into the number 1 Trail Run in the country. Due to this popularity we are offering this year not only 1 OTTER – African Trail Run,  but 2 events. Numbers are limited and if you wish to enter the race, make sure you place your name on the priority list!

Magnetic South, in association with SANParks, are extremely proud to now be offering this incredibly unique opportunity.

What is the Otter-African Trail Run?

The Otter Run presented by Hi-Tec has been dubbed “the Holy Grail of Trail Running.” At 42km it is a full trail marathon that traverses South Africa’s most iconic hiking trail; the Otter Trail, arguably one of the most beautiful trails on the planet. The Otter Run is the only time when trail running is permitted on the Otter Trail.

The Otter Run is a two day trail running event. The first day includes a 4km prologue race which start and finishes in Nature’s Valley and the 2^nd day features the 42km trail marathon, which starts in the Tsitsikamma Section and finishes in the de Vasselot Campsite at Natures Valley on the western fringe of the Tsitsikamma National Park. Participants are transported to the race start at Storms River, predawn on the morning of the 42km trail run.

What is the History of The Otter Run?

The inaugural Otter Run was staged in September 2009 running in conjunction with the Southern Storm. The first Otter Run, which attracted some of the best endurance athletes in Africa, was described by hardened trail runners as “the pinnacle of a life time spent pursuing outdoor endurance events.” In 2009 80 participants completed the Otter Run as day two of the six day staged duathlon- The Southern Storm.

• The inaugural Otter Men’s race was won by Iain don Wauchope in a time of 4:59:02
• The Woman’s race was won by Sue don Wauchope in a time of 5:58:07
• The Male’s Vet race was won by Nick Bester in a time of 5:33:04
• The Ladies Vet race was won by Rhona Zonnenstein in a time of 6:36:09

2010 the OTTER was again run in conjunction with the Southern Storm.

• Winning Time of the OTTER Men’s race was 4:48:53 and won by Andre Gie
• The Woman’s race was won by Jeannie Bomford in a time of 5:17:12
• The Male’s VET race was won by Trevor Tourien in a time of 5:13:03
• The Woman’s VET race was won by Michelle Lombardi in a time of 05:22:39

THE OTTER RUN & OTTER RAMBLE 2011

Two Events. Magnetic South is presenting two runnings of the Otter Run in 2011;

1. the Otter Run on the 29^th and 30^th of September and
2. the Otter Ramble on the 1^st and 2^nd of October.

The course and programme for the two events is identical, however, the events differ dramatically in the cut of times and awarding of medals.  130 places are available for each event. The event organisers reserved 40 entries for overseas participants and sponsor invited athletes.

• The Otter Run is an event for proficient trail runners with an ambitious cut-off time of 8 hours for achieving an official finish. Five different category medals are awarded for the Otter Run;

1. Black Sub 04h30
2. Purple Sub 5 Hour
3. Blue Sub 6 Hour
4. Green Sub 7
5. Red Sub 8

Persons finishing outside of the 8 hour cut of will not be awarded a medal. The actual cut off times enforced at the check points on the course will be based on a 9 hour time after which runners will no longer be allowed to continue. The Otter Run will have prize money and be the focus of media coverage.

• The Otter Ramble is the event for the more recreational trail runners who have running the Otter Trail on their bucket list and this event will maintain the established cut-off time of 11 Hours.  It is scheduled to take advantage of a more favourable low tide for the major river crossings. The Otter Ramble should in no way be underestimated however, as it follows exactly the same course as the Otter Run and in terms of endurance is comparable with any ultra marathon. Two different medal categories  are awarded for the Otter Ramble;

1. Red Sub 8 hour
2. White Sub 11 hour

Persons finishing outside of the 11 hour cut of will not be awarded a medal. The cut off times enforced at the checkpoints on the course will be strictly based on the 11 hour time after which runners will no longer be allowed to continue.

Pricing & Entry Package. The Standard Race Package for the Otter Run is R2650 and the Otter Ramble is R2350.

• Includes;
  • 4.5km Prologue route
  • Shuttle to prologue.
  • 42km Otter Run
  •  SANParks Park Entry & Conservation fees,
  • Goodie bag,
  • Race shirt.
  • Rental of timing chip
  • Race Nutrition at Gu Point and Finish Line
  • Prize Giving Dinner
  • Shuttle from Natures Valley to Race Start

Accommodation. The standard race packages for each event will not include any accommodation at the de Vasselot campsite which is reserved exclusively for the event. Campsites or Forest Hut accommodations at de Vasselot are available online as an Add-on to the standard entry package and charged at SANParks rates.   Campsites and Forest Hut accommodation may be booked for supporters (family and friends) of the participants. One parking place is allocated with each accommodation booking.  Access Wristbands, parking tags and tent tags will be provided on registration. Specially negotiated upgrade Hotel and Deluxe accommodation add-ons packages are also available online.

Event Cancellation. The Otter Run follows South Africa’s premium wilderness hiking trail. The trail is not accessible by vehicle at any point besides the start and finish. The trail traverses slippery precarious rocky sections, many parts of which are which are exposed to the ocean during high seas. It also traverses five river mouths including the Bloukrans River which even in perfect conditions involves swimming. It is thus conceivable, even likely, that severe weather could occur and dramatically affecting the organiser’s ability to safely manage the event.  Should inclement weather occur or be forecast, the organisers may, in the interest of participant safety, stage the event along a Plan B route or event cancel the event.  In either case there will be no refund of entry fee.

Illegal Running on the Otter Trail. The Otter Trail is South Africa’s premium hiking trail and an iconic SANParks wilderness experience. Groups of twelve hikers per day are admitted onto the trail which is hiked over five days and four nights and is booked out year round..  It is compulsory for the hiking groups to overnight in the hiking huts. Illegal trespassing on the trail impacts on the experience of the hikers and is strictly forbidden.  Persons trespassing on SANParks properties for the purposes of trail running reflect negatively on the sport and have an impact on the sustainability of all and any trail running on these properties.

 As the opportunity for training for the Otter Run on the trail is not accessible, it is also against the ethics and rules of the event and regarded as cheating. Offenders face a life ban from SANParks, the Otter Run and will be publicly named.

Trail Management. The Otter Run is managed in accordance with a commissioned environmental impact study and, after two years of successful management of the event, is endorsed by Garden Route National Parks Management.  SANParks closedown the hiking trail for the five days on either side of the Otter Events and use this time to perform vital maintenance of the hiking trail and facilities. The event thus forms an important part of SANParks’ annual management plan for the trail.