Preparation and gear

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Conditions can be severe. Come ready for them.

Mandatory kit

Runners are issued with a foil survival blanket at registration and are required to provide their own whistle and a rigid or collapsible heat proof cup. We are strictly disposable product free at our feed stations, to eliminate littering. These items must be carried for the duration of the run. Kit checks may take place on the route, and a runner without all three items receives a 60 minute time penalty, served on the spot.

What to wear

Conditions can be severe, with temperatures well below minus 10 degrees, stream crossings and running in snow, and the wind will inevitably blow.

Bandana

Starting at the top, your Rhodes Run bandana is essential to protect your ears, neck and face from cold, wind and dust. It will also protect you from comments by your fellow runners.

Wind breaker and base layer

A brightly coloured and robust wind breaker is strongly advised, to keep out a sneaky wind with a significant chill factor and to help identify you in the tundra like landscape. A good base layer with moisture management and long sleeves is also suggested.

Gloves

Gloves will keep some feeling in your fingers in the early morning. They will also protect your hands when you clamber up Mavis Bank or fall on an uneven surface.

Warm tights

Warm tights are good for more warmth at the start and in the higher, chillier parts of the run. They also give some protection from the rose hip thorn bushes, sharp spiky grass and the odd tumble.

Trail shoes

Specialised trail running shoes are essential to give you the extra grip. In places you may wish you had crampons. One pair of socks should do it, although some runners change into a dry pair, especially for the drop down the concrete strip.

In your backpack

Hydration pack, grabber hand warmers and the usual first aid kit. A small card with your medical history, medication and allergies. Hiking and trekking poles are permitted. A camera, on your phone or old school, for the spectacular scenery and as a great excuse to stop and rest.

Clothing left at feed stations

Runners may leave additional clothing at any of the feed stations on the route. It should be clearly marked. While every effort is made to return discarded clothing to the finish, the organisers will not be held liable for any losses suffered. Any clothing not collected on Saturday after the awards is donated to the local community.

Search and rescue

Because of the remoteness of the area and the extreme terrain, especially through the Kloof, it is essential that the race organisers know where everyone is at all times.

It is critical that runners ensure the timekeepers at each check point have recorded their entry and exit. If a runner retires from the race, that runner must make sure their race tags are handed to the timekeeper at one of the official check points or to the timekeeper at the finish.

If a runner retires and does not hand in their tags, or does not hand in their tags at one of the check points, that runner will be regarded as lost. A search and rescue team will be dispatched, and the cost of that search and rescue will be billed to the runner.