Clarens Cosmos Challenge ( Spring Edition )
Fri 22 Sep - Sun 24 Sep 2017 @ Clarens, Free State

Date:

Venue: Die Bus Stop

2 Days 2 Distances.
Stage 1: 30Km Long Distance. Elevation Gain 1180meter
Stage 1: 16Km Short Distance. Elevation Gain 610meter

Stage 2: 18Km
Elevation Gain: 1205meters

Terrain: Single Track, Stream crossing, Hill Training

All meals included in the entry fee
(Friday Dinner. Saturday-breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sunday Breakfast)

Cost:
Long Distance - R1450
Short Distance - R 950

Registration and Number Collection Compulsory.
Friday 18H00-20H00 at Die Bus Stop

Venue: Die Bus Stop ( Next to Golden Gate Main Gate )

Entries open 23 May 2017
Limited to 150 runners per distance

After the successful Clarens Kosmos Challenge which was held earlier this year ( March ) we have decided we will have another event on the 23rd & 24th of September 2017.

The Monday 25th is a public Holiday so you will have a extra day to explore the beauty of the Maluti Mountains

ROUTE DISCRIPTION STAGE 1 LONG COURSE

Stage 1 sets of to the Eastern Side of the Maluti Mountains with a serious 6Km climb. At 6.2Km the race will split where the long-distance runners continue to climb another 1.5Km before a technical descent awaits them.

A gradual 4km singe track climb takes them from 1885 to 1980meters above sea level
They will further run on Rough jeep tracks for a 5km decent to the first FULLY STOCK WATER POINT at 20Km.

Here the runners will assent through the Sandstone Cave which continues to the split point where they will join the 16Km runners over the Sandstone water pools to the Second Water Point at 27Km.
Runners will follow the 1.7Km tar road for the final stretch of Stage 1.


Estimate Winning times:
Male: 3H00min
Female: 3H30min


STAGE 1 ROUTE DICSRIPTION: SHORT COURCE
Stage 1 set of to the East Side of the Maluti Mountains with a serious 6Km climb. At 6.2Km the race will split where the 16Km runners take a right turn on a beautiful newly cut out single track which takes them to their highest point of the race at 2281 meters above sea level.


From here they run on edge of the mountain descending over the Sand Stones. Joining the Long Course athletes at 24.7Km 1993 meters above sea level.


Fully Stock Water Point at 14Km
Runners will follow the 1.7Km tar road for the final stretch of Stage 1.

Estimate Winning times:
Male: 3H00min
Female: 3H35min

STAGE 2 ROUTE DISCRIPTION

The terrain for stage 2 is very tricky and technical will steep climbs and assents but once over the climb they will have a view that makes all worth it.

Most athletes with sore legs will find the 2nd stage as a serious challenge.

18Km long route route starts out flat with 3km trails with short climbs 50-200m long to warm up the legs.

At 3.2km into the race the real mountain starts with a 3.4Km steep climb. Fit runners will be able to run it but 90 % of the field will have to take a hike.

6-9Km runners run on the edge of the mountain. This few Kilometers if flat with one small climb.


The decent to the water point at 10.5Km is very technical and runners will have to take precaution.

A very nice gradual steep climb take them from 11Km to 14km with an elevation gain of 557meter over the distance.


3 Km technical decent takes them to the last 1.5km of the race where they will be crowned Kings and Queens of the Clarens Kosmos Stage Race 2017

Estimate Winning times:
Male: 3H00min
Female: 3H40min

Accommodation 

Accommodation can be booked at die Bus Stop