Augrabies Extreme Marathon 2010 prize money

Augrabies Extreme Marathon A 7 day, 251km trail through the Kalahari Desert in The Augrabies .... The series distributes more than R220 000 in prize-money

Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon

15th-25th October

Known as the 'Big Daddy' in South African trail running circles, this prestigious event organised by Extreme Marathons, now has it's place on the International Calendar of similar trail events. Take up your opportunity to run in the footsteps of the ancient Bushmen, through the fertile vineyards of the Orange River Valley, across rocky outcrops and into the desolate Great Kalahari Desert.

The Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon is a self-sufficient run over 7 days, covering an approximate distance of 250 kilometres. The event takes place in the Kalahari Desert in the proximity of the Augrabies Falls on the Orange River. The route traverses the Augrabies Falls National Park, private game parks including Khamkirri, Thorntree and Dabaras and many private farmlands. This contrasting environment, with average day-time temperatures reaching in excess of 40c and dropping to below 5c at night, presents a daunting challenge to the extreme athlete and determined adventurer alike.

Where Did it all Start?

In 1999, Estienne Arndt, founder and director of Extreme Marathons, went to run Marathon Des Sables and saw the potential for a similar event in South Africa. He was familiar with the Augrabies region of the Kalahari Desert, the varied terrain in the area and knew that this was the ideal place to host such an event. Ten years later they still joke about that first year... Estienne out setting the route, the runners already having started that day’s stage and then having to re-route because of some unforseen obstacle that lay ahead. Every year it seems they evolve their approach to the the race, an ongoing committment to producing an event which exceeds the year before and one which has become truly world class.

Every finisher receives an individually hand blown glass elephant done especially for the event by Ngwenya Glass and the winners trophies this year have been made by designer Eric Tollner from Red Earth, a runner and canoeist himself. It seems the attention to detail is what makes this a truly memorable race for all who take part and one for those who have yet to attempt this "extreme marathon".

Although the event is advertised as 250km, race director Estienne changes the route every year, and the distance depends on the terrain. The route is only disclosed to the participants at registration, the day before the start of the event.

(source:trailrunning.co.za)