Golden Gate Challenge

Golden Mountains. Golden Reward!

This is a three-day track and trail run through over 70kms of the most rugged yet scenic mountains of the Free State, situated in the magnificent Golden Gate Highlands National Park to raise funds for the bearded vulture and conservation of biodiversity as well as the revival of eco-tourism activities. There are shorter courses available for those not ready to explore the full 3 days. Try the 2 day 27km Kgodumodumo run which is 10km on Saturday and 17km on the Sunday OR take it easy with the 10km Dino run which takes place on the Saturday. There’s a 17km one day run named after the legendary Ntate Joseph Mabote who was a cherished member of the SANParks team.

Event Costs

Golden Gate Full Package – R3,740 (R3,080 + R660 conservation donation)
2-day Kgodumodumo Run (27km) – R550 (T-shirt optional at R250)
1-day Joseph Mabote Run (17km) – R330 (T-shirt optional at R250)
1-day Dino Run (10km) – R220 (T-shirt optional at R250)

Dates and Venue

Itinerary

This is what participants can expect for the full Golden Gate Challenge over the event weekend

Day 1, 27km - 06:30 Start
Day 2, 29km - 06:30 Start
Day 3, 17km - 04:30 Start

R3,740

R3,080 + R660 conservation donation

Enquiries

Fundraising

All funds raised through this event will be used to enable the conservation work being done by WILDLANDS, a programme of the WILDTRUST, SANParks as well as the SANParks Honorary Rangers.

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Your Routes in Detail

Day 1

06:30 start, will have 4 water stations on route, 2 being water and juice only and 2 being water and food stations. Runners will make their way out of the Glen Reenen Camp site moving up towards Langtoon Dam (WS 1) Runners will then make their way across to Ribbok Hut (WS 2) making their way down to the cross over at the Golden Gate entrance. From there, they will cross over and make their way up to Wilgenhof (WS 3) which is the final stretch home before the final Brandwag Buttress climb. WS 4 has been placed just below the buttress for those needing a little refuel to get up and over to the finish.

Day 2

06:30 start, there will have 1 water station and 3 water/food stations as this is a slightly longer day. This time runners will be heading out to the back of the park which is known as Little Serengeti which is has wide/vast open spaces. This day starts off with a fast 800m tar road run then around Brandwag Buttress to get our runners warmed up before ducking off onto the trail, making their way up and around to Little Serengeti before reaching and running through Highlands Retreat for WS 3. The final water table – roughly 5km from the finish will double up with the 10km Dino Run runners who will be running home using the same trail, running under the mushroom rock and down to the finish.

Day 3

04:30 start, short and sweet 17km sunrise horizon run with a beautiful view of the sunrise once runners have climbed up and onto the mountain surrounding the campsite. This day finishes off with a lovely Champagne breakfast and only has 1 water/food table out on route.