Date
Saturday, 14 March 2009

Venue
Gamkaskloof (Die Hel) to Prince Albert
Western Cape

Race Distances and Options

• 38km, 50km or 80km RUN
• To Hell and Back CYCLE & RUN
  » 57km MTB + 50km run

The organisers reserve the right, for safety reasons, to divert the 80km run on to a shorter (still official) 69km route should the weather conditions between Ou Tol and Prince Albert deteriorate.

These route distances have been verified and are recognised by the 1000km Challenge.

Directions
The Gamkaskloof can be accessed from Oudtshoorn or Prince Albert. From Cape Town it is 430km to Oudtshoorn (410km from PE). It's around 50km from Oudtshoorn on the R328 to the Gamkaskloof turn-off and an additional 45km along a gravel road (of variable condition), until you reach the settlement. This last section of road takes around 1.5-hours to drive. The drive from Prince Albert to Gamkaskloof is 69km and takes about 2-hours to drive.

Registration - From 14h30 at Hostel Prince Albert

Race Briefing - 17h00

Pre-race dinner - From 17h30

Starting Time - 15h00 (Cycle leg of CycleRun), 21h00 (50/80km & 38km walk), 21h30 (38km run)

Cut-off - Dawn/06h00 (38km & 50km), 06h00 (80km, leaving Ou Tol), 12h00 (80km, Prince Albert)

Vehicle logistics
Vehicles, where possible, should be left at Ou Tol.

People usually get themselves to the start (transported by non-racing supporters). We will aim to get a couple of car loads down from Ou Tol to the start at about 18h30 on Saturday.

We arrange for runners stopping at Ou Tol to drive vehicles (like those of entrants running all the way to Prince Albert) from Ou Tol to the finish at Prince Albert.

Philosophy
To allow participants to experience the ghosts of Hel as they wind their way through the Gamkaskloof (leaving the town of de Hel) at midnight.

Terrain
Most of the route is on gravel road, which is of sufficient quality that it can be navigated by sedan (although at times 4x4s are better). Competitors on the 80km running event will also run on a single-track hiking trail. At the end of the 80km run you will finish with 4km on tar road.

Water/Aid stations
There are three official support stations. Support crew can see their runner at these three points only.

1. 12km on the 50/80km (start of the 38km) - water and coke provided
   
2. 50km on the 80km (end of 38km and 50km) - pancakes and hot chocolate
   
3. 71km on the 80km - water and coke

Between these aid stations we expect competitors are required to carry sufficient water and food.

Supporters / Spectators
This is an unassisted race and as such supporters are not allowed on the route. Friends/family can see their runners off at the start and meet them at the finish.