Various kinds of “klipspringers” were seen in and around the Augrabies Falls National Park during the notorious Klipspringer Challenge, traversing lunar-like landscapes, barren terrain and flooded territory.
Athletes assembled from all over for this two-day challenge.
Participants had to complete 32 km on 30 April and 33 km on 1 May.
In the Klipspringer Lite division, athletes lined up for 21 km and 18 km, respectively.
The winner of the men’s category, Pieter Laubscher, completed the two-day trial in 6:11:05.
Cornelius Rall (6:11:44) was second to cross the finishing line, with Jakob Volmoer (6:25:22) placing third.
In the women’s category, Kate Mapham (7:35:10) placed first, Karen Carstens (8:27:22) second and Frances King (8:38:22) third.
Doug Rush (3:25:17) was the male winner of the Lite division, while Sello Ramaloko (3:42:04) placed second and Hanro Schoeman (4:03:48) third.
Kate Nugent (4:27:39) was the first woman to cross the finishing line in this division, with Delida Nugent (4:37:13) in second place and Ilana Human (4:43:10) in third.
The challenge is named after the klipspringer, a small antelope known for its agility in rocky terrain.
The Augrabies Falls, fed by the Orange River, forces its way through a narrow granite gorge, tumbles 56 m and continues along through the spectacular sheer-walled canyon to reach the ocean at Alexander Bay.
Recognising trail runners’ love and passion for the natural environment, and appreciating the increasing role they play in conservation initiatives around the country, Sanparks and the management of the Augrabies Falls National Park invite a limited group of runners once a year to test themselves against this magnificently gruelling canyon and desert environment.
This challenge is one of several extreme sporting events hosted in the Northern Cape.
- Interested parties can visit the Facebook page Augrabies Falls Klipspringer Challenge for more photos and information.
