Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon
Encyclopedia
The Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon is a self-sufficient run over seven days, covering an approximate distance of 250 km (155 mi). 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 temperatures reaching in excess of 40 °C and dropping to below 5 °C at night presents a daunting challenge to the extreme athlete and determined adventurer alike.
Known as the 'Big Daddy' in the South African running circles, the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon is a prestigious event organised by Extreme Marathons, and has its place on the International Calendar of similar trail events. Participants 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.
Kalahari Desert
The Kalahari Desert is a large semi-arid sandy savannah in Southern Africa extending , covering much of Botswana and parts of Namibia and South Africa, as semi-desert, with huge tracts of excellent grazing after good rains. The Kalahari supports more animals and plants than a true desert...
in the proximity of the Augrabies Falls on the Orange River
Orange River
The Orange River , Gariep River, Groote River or Senqu River is the longest river in South Africa. It rises in the Drakensberg mountains in Lesotho, flowing westwards through South Africa to the Atlantic Ocean...
. The route traverses the Augrabies Falls National Park
Augrabies Falls National Park
Augrabies Falls National Park is a national park located around the Augrabies Falls, about 120 km west of Upington in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. It was established in 1966....
, private game parks including Khamkirri, Thorntree and Dabaras and many private farmlands. This contrasting environment with average day temperatures reaching in excess of 40 °C and dropping to below 5 °C at night presents a daunting challenge to the extreme athlete and determined adventurer alike.
Known as the 'Big Daddy' in the South African running circles, the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon is a prestigious event organised by Extreme Marathons, and has its place on the International Calendar of similar trail events. Participants run in the footsteps of the ancient Bushmen
Bushmen
The indigenous people of Southern Africa, whose territory spans most areas of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola, are variously referred to as Bushmen, San, Sho, Barwa, Kung, or Khwe...
, through the fertile vineyards of the Orange River Valley, across rocky outcrops and into the desolate Great Kalahari Desert.