SA'S ENDURANCE SPORT LOVE AFFAIR

We are proud to offer active safari adventure holidays in South Africa. In response to the increasing demand for holidays and breaks that offer more than just the usual holiday experience, we have developed an extensive program of adventure travel options included in our safari and featuring a wide range of sports and activities.
If you think that holidays have become dull and boring and you are looking for something exciting and fun, then you have come to exactly the right place. We feature endurance sport combined with safaris and tours, which are suitable for adults, groups, and couples. On our adventure activity holidays you will always find a welcoming and convivial atmosphere awaiting you amongst people who share your interest in an active outdoor lifestyle. Most of our sport events are taking place in areas of outstanding beauty, some time in National Parks, remote and wild areas while others like the Soweto marathon are organized in an historical landmark. Your tour guide having a love affair with endurance sports will share your passion and will participate with you to the different adventures mentioned hereunder.

Its no wonder that South Africans love long-distance challenges - the country's climate and contrasting landscape is ideal for endurance sport activities. Whether on land or in water, South Africans love testing their endurance ability and an ever-increasing number of people from overseas have discovered the fantastic events the country has to offer and are participating in them.
Learn about some of the challenges that South Africans hold dear. Among them are a good number of world leading events.

Secret Safari to Africa proposes to include one of these endurance sport events in your Safari or tour. Don’t forget, it’s your safari, any arrangement can be done!!!

The following Safaris/tours:
Bush and Indian Ocean Safari / Adventure and camping safari / Active & adventurous Safari /

Safari, Garden Route & Cape Town can easily accommodate the following events:

• Red Cross big five marathon.
• The Soweto marathon.
• Tour de Tuli.
• Isuzu 3 Towers stage race
• Pick and pay 94.7-cycle challenge.

Safari, Garden Route & Cape Town / Captivating Garden Route & Cape Town can easily be combined with the following events:

• The Comrades.
• The Soweto marathon.
• The two oceans marathon.
• The Sani Stagger endurance race.
• The Cape Argus Pick and Pay cycle tour.
• The Absa Cape Epic.
• Pick and pay 94.7 cycle challenge.
• The Subaru Sani 2c & Subaru Sani 2c adventure.

To add these major optional activities to your tour, it is necessary to modify or to extend the proposed programs.

BOOKING MUST BE DONE IN ADVANCE.

ON FOOT

Endurance running, which is widely supported throughout South Africa is a discipline ideally suited to the country's varied and beautiful landscape. It is highlighted by two ultra-marathons, both of them world-renowned events.

THE RED CROSS BIG FIVE MARATHON AND & HALF MARATHON

Location: Entabeni Private Game Reserve, Limpopo Province
Date: June 20th, date to be confirmed due to the soccer World Cup
Price: 300 Rands, 28 € + 35 €, Timing chip

The only Big Five Marathon in the world, which is to be held among the wildlife of the African savannah. The race brings together long distance runners from all over the world in one of the most spectacular “Big Five” game reserves in Africa.
The route goes right through the habitat of the most famous African game: Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard. No fences, no rivers, nothing at all separates the runners from the African wildlife.
In these fascinating settings, the selected a route will prove challenging to even the most experienced long distance runners. Covering a variety of surfaces, ranging from deep sand to slippery rocks.
For the race participants, the biggest challenge will be the extreme steep track going up the gorge, which separate the lower and the upper escarpments of the game reserve. Over the climb of three kilometres, the runners will experience a 500 metre increase in altitude, and sloped sections over 40 degrees. A unique race in spectacular surroundings.
“WOW!” is the best way to describe this route. 42kms through a pristine game reserve in the Waterberg district in South Africa is about as good as it gets for this marathon runner. Throw in large herds of antelope (and the odd giraffe) for spectators, an incredibly tough course and excellent organisation to produce the recipe for one of South Africa’s great races. Proceeds from the race go to a good cause, the South African Red Cross Society.
The weather is very dry, sunny and cool at this time of the year. Participants can expect an average temperature of around 15-20 Celsius, but with variations due to sun, shade, wind and altitude.

THE COMRADES MARATHON

Location: Kwazulu Natal - Pietermarisburg - Durban
Date: Last weekend of April
Price: 130€

The Comrades Marathon is run annually between the capital of Kwazulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, and the balmy coastal city of Durban. The distance can vary slightly from year to year, but it usually is in the region of 90 kilometres.
The race attracts approximately 13 000 runners, and the route is lined by great numbers of cheering supporters. The biggest entry in the history of the Comrades Marathon occurred in 2000, when the race celebrated its 75th anniversary. An extra hour was allowed for bronze medal finishers to celebrate the milestone and the public responded in incredible fashion with the field topping out at 23 961.
Since the introduction of prize money, the Comrades have also drawn some of the world's top ultra-distance athletes. The undoubted King of the Comrades, though, is South Africa's Bruce Fordyce, who won the gruelling race an astounding nine times between 1981 and 1990.
The popularity of the Comrades is based largely on some dramatic finishes over the years. But it is not the race for the title that provides the drama as much as the struggle for the also-rans, right at the end of the race, to cross the finish line before the cut-off gun sounds for medals.

THE TWO OCEANS MARATHON

Location: Cape Town-Cape Peninsula
Date: 03/04/2010
Price: 150 Rands, 14€

SA's second ultra-popular ultra-marathon is the 56-kilometre Two Oceans Marathon. Its greatest draw card is an extremely picturesque route that winds along the coastline surrounding Cape Town. The Two Oceans, like the Comrades, also manages to pull top professionals from overseas.
Zimbabwean men have enjoyed good success in recent years, being the dominant runners in the event since 2001, including a Marco Mambo being crowned champion in 2004, 2005, and 2008.
The women's race has succeeded in drawing many of the top female athletes preparing for the Comrades Marathon, which takes place just over a month after the Two Oceans, and as a result has produced winners who have gone on to Comrades' victory. They include Elena Nurgalieva and Tatyana Zhirkova.

THE SOWETO MARATHON.

Location: Johannesburg-Soweto
Date: First weekend of November
Price: 75 Rands, 7€.

ASA (Athletism of South Africa) is confident that this year's marathon will surpass the standards set in 2008, and draw even more participants and spectators alike. "It is our intention and that of our partners to grow the event to become the biggest marathon on the continent," said President of ASA, Leonard Chuene.
Johannesburg sees the marathon as an ideal opportunity to market Soweto. The city hopes that both the participants and TV audiences will be able to see the rapid pace of economic development taking place in Soweto. It plans to actively promote the growth of tourism and market its heritage sites in Soweto.
Soweto is home to an assortment of languages, cultures, heritage sites and history. More than a million people from every ethnic group in the country, including Sotho, Ndebele, Xhonga, Xhosa and Zulu live there.
Known for being influential in the anti-apartheid revolution, the spacious South African township is now a trendy and vibrant melting pot, punctuated by taverns, tourism attractions, shebeens, historic landmarks, music, dance, sports, fashion, and many other exciting activities and experiences.
Route: The organisers say the route of this year's marathon will remain almost exactly the same as last year's course, taking athletes through Soweto's heritage sites and showcasing some of its trendy new developments. The only detour of the race will be at Koma Road, due to construction.
The marathon will give participants a chance to race past Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world to house two Nobel laureates – Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela.

SANI STAGGER ENDURANCE RUNNING RACE (MARATHON UP RUN)

Location: Kwazulu Natal - Kingdom of Lesotho
Date: last weekend of November
Price: 200 Rands, 19€.

The famous SANI PASS classified, as World Heritage place is the only motor road that crosses the Natal Drakensberg and the only road between KwaZulu-Natal and the kingdom of Lesotho. Once a rough mule trail down which long caravans of pack animals carried bags of mohair and wool and piles of hides and skins to trading posts like Makhakhe‚s and Good Hope Stores to exchange for blankets, boots, clothes, building materials and food for the long trek back to Mokhotlong. Even today, this magnificent Pass that climbs through the narrow valley incised by the Mkhomozana River is an important trade route into the Eastern Highlands of Lesotho and a wonderful experience for our many visitors.
This race (only as half and full Marathon) is hardly discovered by foreigners. If you’re looking for the perfect combination of an exotic Marathon, combined with your exotic vacation: this is it! The course is very tough, starting at 1566 meter above sea level. Turn point is at the Lesotho-border at 2873 meter. Going down the same road is almost a bit harder, considering the rocky and winding road you’re running on. But the scenery, as well as the perfect organisation, makes it all worth wile! Every 3k refreshments, fruit, sweets etc., the organising couple Clive and Trish Crawley really know what they’re doing. Being South African running icons themselves (Clive is Comrades Ultra marathon record holder with 43 times; Trish is the only female in South Africa who has done Marathons on all 7 continents) they are the perfect persons to organise this small (Marathon +/- 400 participants; half Marathon +/- 150 participants) but challenging race. So take a walk/run on the wild side, and go to South Africa’s Sani pass, it won’t be a disappointment!
Route: The entire race takes place on 21 km gravel road through the magnificent scenic route from Sani Pass Hotel to Sani Top or in reverse, depending on the race chosen. ASA and an international registered course measurer taking the shortest route along the course have measured the race route. Please bear in mind that the route is rocky, and uneven in places and you may not be able to take the shortest route.
This is a World Heritage place.

ON WHEELS

TOUR DE TULIi – Mountain Bike Event.

Location: Bostwana-Zimbabwe-South Africa (Northern Tuli game reserve, Tuli safari Area, Mapungubwe national Park)
Date: First week of August
Approximate total distance: 300 Kames
Four-day mountain bike tour (camping 5 nights)
Price: 19200 Rands per rider, 1800€.

The aim of the tour is to raise funds for a worthy non-profit organization Children in the Wilderness. www.tourdewilderness.com.
Children in the Wilderness hosts vulnerable, rural children that live alongside the Parks and Reserves and teaches them the importance of conservation. The Children in the Wilderness program aims to develop environmental leaders who are inspired to care for their heritage so that they become the custodians of these areas in the future. Children in the Wilderness exposes children to their wildlife heritage, builds and strengthens their capabilities to cope with life's challenges and educates them with the life skills necessary to actualize their greatest potential.
Due to the logistics of linking two remote areas, the Tour de Kruger organisers have decided to focus on the best of both areas for the future mountain bike events. For 2009 they will be operating the Tour de Tuli – Mapungubwe Route with the intention of introducing an additional route in 2010 that will cover the Northern Kruger. This route is facilitated exclusively for this tour by the three respective Governments and will be the only time that cyclists will be able to ride this route.
The Tour de Tuli 2009 cycle tour will traverse three different countries: Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa and three National Parks: Northern Tuli Game Reserve, Tuli Safari Area and Mapungubwe National Park. The elephant trails of the Northern Tulip Game Reserve were a feature on the 2008 event and therefore we have endeavoured to ensure that the first few days of the Tour de Tuli event are predominantly on single track both in Botswana and Zimbabwe. The cycle tour will end in the beautiful Mapungubwe National Park.
The route promises excellent game viewing opportunities, history, culture and great scenery - added to that it is a wonderful social event plus your funds go towards making a difference in the lives of many children.
This year we are very excited to be combining Botswana and Zimbabwe and formalizing a new route called the Tour de Tuli 2009 – Mapungubwe Route.
The objectives remain the same i.e. to give cyclists (a) an incredible opportunity to ride through fantastic wilderness areas and National Parks and (b) to raise funds for a worthy non-profit organization Children in the Wilderness, children’s environmental and life skills programme for vulnerable children.
This cycle tour is an amazing mountain bike event, traversing through wonderful countryside that riders can't normally access. It is not a race, but a ride allowing cyclists the opportunity of really appreciating these wilderness areas.
Whilst the participation cost sounds high, we endeavour to give the cyclists a quality experience, whilst at the same time all free cash generated goes to a non-profit organization called Children in the Wilderness. We are very excited about this program and the opportunities that it presents. Your participation in this event and support of this program will help to preserve our environment and to help educate our rural children on life skills and the importance of conservation. We believe that in the long run, your money will assist in ensuring that critically threatened environments are conserved.

THE CAPE ARGUS PICK’N PAY CYCLE TOUR

Location: Cape Town & Cape Peninsula
Date: Second Sunday of March.
Price: 500 Rands, 47€.

Emotion and thrills guaranteed, the Cape Argus Pick’n Pay is the biggest cyclist event worldwide. 35.000 cyclist (all levels) start the race from Cape Town to conquer the Cape of Good Hope, a mystic road.
Starting from the city bowl of Cape Town, you will go through the Constantia valley discovering the famous South Africans vineyards, and then you will plunge towards the Indian Ocean! Km 29 you will cross the fishing harbour of Kalk Bay, you will go along the tremendous white sand beaches. Km 47 you will reach the Atlantic Ocean, you will go through the nature reserve of Cape Town, then Scarborough famous for its Whales watching point. Km 76 you will go along the coast at Camps bay the famous trendy place following the dramatic road of Chapman’s Peak. Km 109 the arrival at Green point a famous neibourghood of the Mother City.

THE PICK ’N PAY 94.7 CYCLE CHALLENGE

Price: on request .

The voice of cycling, Phil Liggett, is a huge fan of the event, and also loves the Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge, another mass-participation cycle race that takes place in Johannesburg.
The race has been recognised by cycling's world governing body, the UCI, as a model to the cycling world, and it continues to show fantastic growth. The aim of the organisers is that the size of the Cycle Challenge's entry should eventually eclipse that of the Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour.
In 2007, the Cycle Challenge attracted the man many regard as the greatest cyclist of all time - Eddie Merckx. Nicknamed "The Cannibal" because of his hunger to win every race he entered,

THE ABSA CAPE EPIC

Location: Western Cape (the route is different every year)
Date: Last weekend of March.
Approximate total distance: 700 Kms
Price: 25 200 Rands per team (team of two participants), 2340€

The biggest mountain bike stage race on earth!!!

The ABSA Cape Epic is truly that - an epic challenge. The latest edition - 2009 - of the mountain bike race features seven stages, as well as a prologue.
It covers just shy of 700 kilometres, but any images one might have one open roads and flat riding should be dispelled very quickly. The Epic is a supreme challenge and it attracts both the casual competitor and the world's best mountain bike endurance racers.
Riders have to complete each stage in or less than 10 hours and the race officials are notoriously strict:
Cyclists who cross the line seconds after cutt-off are out.
It is also the world's most broadcast mountain bike event. By March 2009, it had generated 8 000 hours of television in Europe, America, the Middle East and Africa.
Most of the entries for the Absa Cape Epic are available through the lottery or the early entry guaranteed slots. If you wish to support one of our official charities you can buy a charity entry. A limited number of early entry guaranteed slots for the following year’s race are sold on a first come first served basis immediately after the end of the race. Alternatively you can enter via the lottery that closes on 30 June in order to stand a chance at riding the following year. To enter the lottery you need to login to your supporter/rider zone. Successful get a team entry. This means that both you and your partner can enter the public lottery to increase your chances of success. Only one application per rider is accepted.
www.cape-epic.com

THE SUBARU SANI 2C AND SUBARU SANI 2C ADVENTURE

Location: Kwazulu Natal province (Drakensberg mountain and the coast)
Date: first week of March
Approximate total ascent: 4525 Mts
Approximate total distance: 260 Kms
Price: 7095 Rands per team (team of 2 participants), 660€

Among the mountain bike community, another event that is held in high esteem is the Subaru Sani 2 C. It has been voted the best MTB race in South Africa by many different publications on a number of occasions.
It's a three-day event, covering about 260 kilometres, that starts at Underberg in the Drakensberg Mountains and sweeps all the way down to the KwaZulu-Natal coast at Scottburgh.
Competitors love the Sani 2C's course: it's a challenging mix of surfaces, climbs and descents, and scenery that tests and exhilarates competitors. Like the Absa Cape Epic, it attracts the cream of South Africa's mountain bike racers, as well as top overseas stars.
Race format.
-Two separate races to run successively, divided into the Subaru sani 2c adventure and Subaru Sani2c.
-Reams are welcome to choose whichever event they would prefer.
-Each division to cater 700 teams.
What is the Subaru sani2c adventure?
-Firstly there is no difference between the two events.
-They will follow the same route, stop over in the same race villages are renowned for their hospitality.
-It will cater for riders who want to experience the adventure of Subaru sani2c enjoying the event without the competitive edge
Accommodation:
Sani2c provides accommodation in tented Race Village for all competitors only for the nights between the start and finish line.

ISUZU 3 TOWERS STAGE RACE.

Location: Mpumalanga Nelspruit area
Date: Last week of September
Approximate total ascent: 3880 Mts
Approximate total distance: 205 Kms
Price: 3800 Rands per team, 350€.

Are you up for three days of big mountains and legendary climbs?
If yes, then the “Three Towers Stage Race” is yours to conquer!
Proudly hosted by the acclaimed Mankele Mountain Biking, situated near to Sudwala Caves in Mpumalanga. The race takes place over a period of three days starting on the 24th of September 2009; teams of two riders will cover a total distance of 205km with 3880m of ascent.
Mankele Mountain Biking is renowned for its sometimes technical, but always flowing, single track and big mountain trail riding, three days will leave you in MTB heaven! All stages start and finish at Mankele and climb to the three highest 'Towers' in the area.
Day 1: Mooifontein Look Out Tower (07:00 Start) 75km's of rolling mountains, amazing scenery, fast flowing single track, bush tunnels and disc burning descents.
Day 2: Rooiwal Tower (06:00 Start) 80km's of leg testing climbs. The first 25km's will leave you doubting your fitness but then the fun starts. Warning smiling wrinkles may occur!!
Day 3:Mount Carmel Tower (06:00 Start) 50Km's of flat out fun. The ultimate way to finish a weekend of mountain biking. The last 20km will make you quit your job and become a full time mountain biker.
Race village: Each team will be allocated a tent with two mattresses. Neat ablutions with hot water showers will be provided. A marquee will be erected where three meals per day will be served. A short prize giving and entertainment (e.g. live band) will be held every evening. On site facilities: swimming pools, river tubing, tuck shop and entertainment area.
Security and bike maintenance: Mankele will provide 24-hour security. Xtreme Sports Nelspruit will provide a bike shop to do any necessary repairs and maintenance.

CAPE PIONNER TREK.

Location: Little Karoo (Western Cape)
Date: 18-23 October 2010
Price: Price on request

Join us and traverse cycling's heartland during 6 days.
A route designed by legendary adventurer, Katot Meyer, is the best kept secret around. Traversing 2 Mountain ranges, crossing the arid semi-desert Karoo and flowing through the coastal forests of the garden route coast.
With many years of event organizing under the belt, The Dryland crew knew that the only race still missing from their resumé was a week long traverse of their beautiful, unspoilt Karoo.
With Legendary races like the Attakwas in their stable, they will bring you the best in mountain biking, come the Cape Pioneer Trek.
Katot Meyer has pulled out all the stops to bring you a riding experience never before experienced. Previously unexplored routes, waiting for you...
Our greatest responsibility still lies with our environment and in this quest for a "greener" race we stumbled upon a second, and not less important issue, our social responsibility!

KAROO TO COAST.

Location: Outeniqua mountains ( western Cape)
Distance: 100 Kms
Date: last week of September
Price: Price on request

This great competitive race promises 100 kilometres of beautiful mountain and forest scenery with exhilarating downhills and lung burning climbs. Be a part of this extremely popular mountain bike race that traverses the ancient indigenous forest - voted by Bicycling Magazine Readers as one of the top ten mountain bike races in South Africa - April 2008 edition!
Circles in the forest The indigenous Knysna Forest through which the Talisman Herald Karoo to Coast is ridden is thousands of years old. It once stretched from Mossel Bay to Humansdorp, but the presence of man has taken its toll. Thousands of trees and animals have disappeared in recent years including more than 500 elephants. Today the forest is under the control of the Department of Water Affairs & Forestry who issue the organisers of the event with a permit stipulating among other things that no littering takes place in order that the forest regains its former pristine condition.

FOR ALL EVENTS ON WHEELS, WE CAN ORGANIZE FOR YOU THE BIKE RENTALS, BRING YOUR OWN CLEATS/PEDALS.