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The Namibia Crossing Wildrun®

16-Jun-2019 /Ai/Ais- Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, Namibia

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11 REVIEWS

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Trail Race Race Terrain

189KM / 117Miles
5 Days - 80 Runners

DIFFICULTY Race Difficulty Advanced

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Organised every 2 years, The Namibian Crossing Wildrun®, developed from the Richtersveldt Willdrun®, has become known as one of the toughest, most stunningly scenic and unique trail running stage race events in Southern Africa.

In 2019 this iconic event takes on a new shape to become the first cross-border trail running event in the world; extending to nearly 200km, it is a five day crossing from South Africa to Namibia through the heart of the /Ai/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.

This race is supported, allowing runners to be unencumbered by kit and enjoy some of the most stunning scenery they are ever likely to experience.

The new route will maintain the best of the first three days of the original edition, including the Vyf Susters, Hellskloof Pass, Armmanshoek, the Tswayisberge, Springbokvlakte and the iconic Tatasberg boulders.

On day 4, the route will veer of its original course and cross the Orange River at De Hoop into Namibia and the untouched southern section of the Fish River Canyon.

This 50km day will take runners into a wilderness that is completely inaccessible by vehicle and rich in wildlife such as Hartmann’s mountain zebra, kudu, gemsbok, springbok, Namibian wild horses and giraffe.

After a long, tough day, runners will spend the evening in the canyon at a natural hot spring, before taking on the final day of roughly 25km to finish at the /Ai-/Ais Hot Springs Resort and wrap up a powerful and truly unique experience.

If you live anywhere else in the world, please sign up here.

Read the Ian Corless review of the 2015 edition HERE.

Read the Ian Corless review of the 2016 edition HERE.

Event Organiser
Wildrunner

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Beginner

Elevation: Very little change < 500 metres. Benign running terrain, not technical.

Suitable for: First ultra runners completing a marathon or doing regular long distance running in the last six months.

Intermediate

Elevation: Increase of up to 1000 metres

Suitable for: Runners who have completed at least one ultra distance race (or similar event) or are doing long distance running (>26 miles) regularly, with elevation shown.

Advanced

Elevation: Increase of up to 1500 metres

Suitable for: Runners who have completed several ultra distances or similar events, or are doing long distance running regularly, with elevation shown.

Expert

Elevation: Increase of up to 2000 metres with some challenging climatic conditions (e.g. ice, snow, humidity or heat) and or technical terrain

Suitable for: Experienced runners who have completed at least regular ultra distances in last 12 months, or are doing regular long distance running (>50 miles) with elevation and conditions shown (where possible). Admission to these races may be subject to evidence of recent qualifying race participation and recent medical examination certificate. Check with the race organiser regarding entry requirements.

Brutal

Elevation: Increase of up to 2000 metres with very challenging climatic conditions (e.g. ice, snow, humidity, heat or at high altitude) and or technical terrain.

Suitable for: Very experienced long distance ultra runners (min 3 years’ experience) or are doing regular long distance running (>50 miles) with elevation and conditions shown (where possible). Admission to these races is often subject to evidence of recent qualifying race participation and recent medical examination certificate. Purchase of specialist kit is often recommended for these races.

Endurance - Multi-activity

Type: An ultra distance race including at least two of the following activities such as running, swimming, cycling, kayaking, skiing and climbing. It may also include different climatic conditions (eg ice, snow, humidity, cold water, mud or heat).

Suitable for: Experienced multi-skilled athletes who have trained for the different activities included in this event. Admission to these races may be subject to receipt of a recent medical examination certificate. Check with the race organiser regarding entry requirements and any specialist equipment required such as a wetsuit, skis or a mountain bike.

Global - Virtual

Type: A virtual race which can be run at any time shown on the dates shown, on any type of terrain in any country.

Suitable for: For runners from beginners to experienced as you choose your own course and challenge based on the guidelines and options set by the virtual race organiser.

Review The Namibia Crossing Wildrun®

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Dessie

10:11 08-03-18

Just wanted to update my rating, cant seem to edit it and I hadn't worked out the star thingy properly when I wrote my review. But this race is definitely a 7 star.

Dessie

10:08 05-08-16

You arrive with little knowledge of the Richtersveld or of the fellow runners and leave having found a running family and a sense of belonging in this vast beautiful terrain. The Wildrun team almost pamper to your needs, you're sent off each day with GPS co-ordinates, a full belly, showered and refreshed after an incredibly comfortable nights sleep in the wilderness under stars that can only be seen in this magnitude in the Richtersveld. The Tatasberg mountains will leave you speechless, you will find peace with your soul after a difficult climb over boulders that have been majestically placed. This race has to be a priority on your bucket list.

markmatt

10:58 21-10-15

...this is a great sprawling adventure of a run in a remote and magical desert wilderness, backed up by superb organization, hospitality and good energy all round. The Wildrun team are to be commended for their ability to send runners into the deep heart of a wild and remote mountainous desert and to fire them in the furnace of true desert running. - See more at: http://www.runultra.co.uk/Articles/June-2015/Richtersveld-Wildrun,-South-Africa-by-Ian-Corless#sthash.ShFn0MIB.dpuf

Ruanne

04:35 13-06-15

I ran this event in 2015. The Richtersveld has an unique beauty and it is truly spectacular. One of the great things about this race is that you get a sense of journey as you make your way through the park. Each day has an unique character and some very special challenges! The boulders of the Tatasberg on day three is a particular highlight.
The event is friendly to runners of a range of abilities. There is sufficient challenge for elites, while amateurs feel equally welcome.
The terrain is hugely varied, combining wide open plains, riverbeds, goat trails, steep mountain climbs and technical descents.
The Wildruner team provides excellent organisation and support. Every day you arrive at an extensive camp site, with great food, cold beers and hot showers. It is as much luxury as you can possibly expect in an area as remote as this. The events are small, making in personal by design. This a worthy bucket list race - except that I did not exactly cross this off, as once will not be enough for me!

Bry_Bry_ZA

02:14 11-06-15

Don't be put off my the gnarled, bleak landscape of the Richtersveld you might see in pictures or when driving the last two hours of dirt road towards the start. Rather sign up to the adventure, lace up your trail shoes and allow the ever-changing, adaptive and endemic flora, tough but tiny creatures, spectacular rock features and formations, and natural wonders over the 150km to blow your mind while you make your way through this wild and crazy trail running experience. Wildrunner™ and crew have the event organisation waxed - all you need to do is show up with your kit (and a few kays on those legs) and they'll sort out the rest for you. Highlights for me were the Tatasberg (Google that), drinking ice cold beer and swimming in the deliciously cool Orange River on day 3, the Springbokvlagte (Google this too) and the incredible people along for teh adventure. Ten out of ten.

JamesR

10:26 11-06-15

One of those 'bucket-list' trail runs that you have to do! Overall it is a tough run but with a combination of flat,easy running and almost impossible climbs. The organisation was perfect and as a runner, all you have to worry about is your running - everything else is taken care of by the exceptional team of Owen and Tam from Wildrunner. It is a bit of a mission to get to the Richtersveld but once there it is great being cut-off from the world with nothing to worry about but your running. The route is not marked at all and you do need to navigate via GPS which is not as easy as it sounds. Don't try and do the run without a GPS as you will get lost and the runners spread out very quickly. The small size of the field lends itself to a very intimate run which is great - you get to socialise with both the winners and back markers. I will definitely be back!

chthonicdaemon

07:31 11-06-15

The race takes you over beautiful terrain which offers some easy and quick running across vast plains as well as completely unrunnable climbs over 3 m boulders at Tatasberg and traverses which will leave your heart racing due to adrenaline more than running exertion. I felt like each day had its own unique character and the route challenging but rewarding. Winners came in between 3 and 3:30 hours on every day, back of the pack between 7 and 9. Trail is GPS-marked, with some tricky sections marked by tags.

Organisation is superb, every possible difficulty is anticipated and handled smoothly. Runners only have to worry about running, the rest is handled by friendly and efficient staff who will cart your bag from start to finish, pitch your tents, make food and supply massages (massages at extra cost, but completely worth it). Even though the race is on the pricey side, I feel no buyers remorse - this is a vast undertaking for the organisers and I can see where the money goes.

carienduplessis

07:38 10-06-15

The Richtersveld looks desolate from afar, but up close it is a rich landscape with amazing rock formations, plants and animals. The run was across these landscapes (a variety of sand, loose and often sharp stones, jeep tracks and succulents and thorny bushes), quite a way off the beaten track, and challenging enough to shake any average person out of their comfort zone, on each of the four days. I had to learn how to use a GPS pretty quickly, but once I figured it out, things were fine. The four days were a real runners' retreat, because we were out of mobile phone range for most of the time. Yummy meals are home-cooked for you and the tents are pitched, so all you have to concentrate on is running and staying roughly in one piece. You don't need to run like a mountain goat to complete each day (I ran slowly and walked fairly often) but you do need to know your body and have a fair level of mental endurance. Unlike anything I've ever experienced.

johnB

01:46 14-01-15

An experience of a long life time . I came away entranced by the wild, iconic,landscape.
Humbled by the expanse of Africa at its most poignant. You look into your own soul in the loneliness of the Springbok vlakte. Magic indeed.

Superb organization. And you have not truly run trail until you can say -" I finished Richtersveld "

Bry_Bry_ZA

08:15 12-01-15

This unique 150km ultra (over four days) ticks two major boxes for me; its an adventure and destination race. From start to finish, the run takes you through some of the most surreal, lunar-esque, brutal landscapes - where space is so vast that time almost seems to slow down. We're so used to living in the hustle and bustle of cities (well I am) that being exposed to such huge spaces was almost too much for my mind to conceive. The run itself is challenging, and you're expected to know your way around a GPS device and how to follow way points. You're going to love this is adventure and exploration form part of your DNA.

The Namibia Crossing Wildrun®