Drakensberg Grand Traverse

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Drakensberg Grand Traverse

An expedition style endurance race covering 200km along the mighty Barrier of Spears.

Traverse the magnificent Drakensberg escarpment from north to south, non-stop and self-navigated, in this pairs event in November 2022. 1 - 6 November 2022

210 km single stage, self sufficient and self navigated race across the Drakensberg Mountain range bordering South Africa and Lesotho.

''There is nothing ordinary about this race''

24/03/2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that we have taken the difficult decision to not stage the 2024 DGT.

Over the past two weeks we have explored numerous options and scenarios (adding shorter events; reducing support; stripping costs; leaving entries open longer), but ultimately we couldn’t find a solution that would allow us to stage the event within our safety parameters, with reduced entrants and in the format that we had envisaged.

We greatly appreciate the commitment and enthusiasm of those that had entered and accepted the challenge of the DGT and are sad that more people have not taken up the challenge.

We remain passionate about the Drakensberg mountains and wanting to get runners/hikers/visitors onto the DGT route to experience the true beauty and ruggedness of what it offers. We will continue to explore ways to hopefully one day be able to stage the DGT-Run successfully.

06/03/2024

DGT-Run | 14-19 October 2024

In our announcement on the 30th Jan, we stated we needed 20 teams signed up by the 29th Feb in order for the event to go ahead. Currently we have 7 teams registered.

We are in the process of reviewing all options / possibilities and will revert with further information during the course of next week.

If you are still considering entering for the 2024 event, please message us or email us at [email protected]

Full event details at https://dgtrun.co.za/

📷 - Mountain Abandon

27/02/2024

“We always knew that DGT 2022 would be a ferocious beast and tried to prepare as well as we could. For two days of the race everything went (more or less) according to plan (although we were treading a fine line timewise). On the third morning a fatigue-induced accident on my side brought an end to our expedition. We were very fortunate to have immediate contact with and assistance from Graham and Spurge and the rest of their team. With their help as well as their safety team on the mountain, no effort was spared to get us off the mountain and to arrange for our hasty return.

Two years on, and we’ll return to DGT 2024. The journey is an immense challenge, but surely achievable with preparation, belief and trust in your teammate. The race is tough and remote but the dedication, organisational skills and knowledge of the mountain of Graham and Spurge (and their whole team) are core to the success of the expedition.

Looking forward to again experience the start at Sentinel and the chain ladders, the struggles of racing against the sun and the clock, the relief of the photos of yourself and your teammate at each of the checkpoints and, hopefully this time, reaching the finish at Bushmans Nek.”

Words from Tonie O’Reilly from his DGT-Run in 2022.

DGT-Run 2024 | 14-19 October 2024
Full details at https://dgtrun.co.za/

📷 Tonie O'Reilly

25/02/2024

Matt Bouch & Colin van den Bergh won the inaugural DGT-Run in Nov 2022 in a time of 63h50.

Matt - “An overwhelming satisfaction rushed over me when we crossed the finish line. �And then something else. Melancholy.

I wasn’t ready for the adventure to end; I wasn’t ready to go back to normality just yet. Traversing the Drakensberg mountains left an indelible impression on me. It will do the same to you.

Out there, in a landscape that is endlessly vast, life becomes simple. The everyday noise is muted and replaced with a calm determined focus. You move in awe of the spaces around you. The terrain presents obstacles and inspiration in endless succession. Even as a pair, there are long stretches when you are alone with only your motivation as company.

Two years after completing the inaugural DGT Run, Colin and I still regularly exchange stories and experiences. He has likely seen a side of me few others have. We laugh at our sleep-deprived delirium, reliving the highs and lows.

The Drakensberg Grand Traverse is not an easy feat. It will require preparation and sacrifice.�But every ounce you invest into this challenge, will be given back to you tenfold.

Sign up, and figure the rest out along the way“

Colin - “I’ve thought about the DGT race every single day since we finished, the Drakensberg mountains have such a special place in me and I’m grateful that I completed it with someone who feels the same way.

It’s not as far as you think! Walk, catch a nap, have something to eat and drink, consult the GPS, before you know it it’s 02:00am and you’re summiting Thabana.

Partner choice is a big part of the race. Take salty chips, real food is the best.”

DGT-Run 2024 | 14-19 October 2024
Full details at https://dgtrun.co.za/

Current entries received for 2024 = 7 teams

📷 Mountain Abandon /

23/02/2024

It has now been 23 days since we opened entries for the DGT Run scheduled for the 14-19 Oct 2024. We require 20 teams in order for the event to go ahead.

At this point we have 4 teams confirmed.

There are just over 2,500 people following the DGT Run FB page and just under 1000 following on the Instagram account. As mentioned in our post on the 30th January, we would like to get an understanding from you, the runners, as to what the barriers / fears are to entering, in order to assist in removing these.

We know there are a lot of people interested and who list this event as a “bucket list” event. There has been only one comment posted. Please let us know what is “holding you back” from signing up.

The DGT is tough, but it is actually a lot more achievable than you think!

Full details at https://dgtrun.co.za/

📷 - AdventureLife SA

22/02/2024

“As a very naughty child (no surprises there) , I was always running around ( a little-bit more than the normal kiddo) - and getting in trouble for it.

The night before the DGT start, my grandmother (85, an incredible runner in her time. Funny story, she stopped running due to not liking how big it made her calves🤣) gave me a call. She called to ask forgiveness, on behalf of the whole family for always fighting with me to sit still. She mentioned that it is clear now, all I wanted to do is move, given the fact that at the age of 30 - I'm taking on a 200km+ trail.

It is true, there is nothing like movement, especially moving through the Great Drakensberg. The berg has a way of making you feel very small, and if you are small. So is your problem(s). It gives Perspective, and everything becomes relative.

There has not been a single day that go by, that DGT 2022 do not cross my mind.
The moments, the experience, the absolute ultimate Drakensberg traverse.
Great, it is truly great, and words can't explain the experience. The only option is, to go and experience it yourself!”

Words from Amri Williamson DGT-Run in 2022.

DGT-Run 2024 | 14-19 October 2024
Full details at https://dgtrun.co.za/

📷 Mountain Abandon

19/02/2024

“Having spent our younger years as old school hikers, with heavy packs and moving slow, we had always wanted to do a fast pack type adventure through the high Berg. The Grand Traverse had always been on our radar. When the first DGT Race was presented, Sue primarily, drove us to go ahead and enter. Looking back this was exactly the right decision. You never know what lies ahead. If you have your fitness and mobility now, you had better commit as many factors may play against you in future times.

From the get-go we were racing the 100-hour cutoff. We planned to sleep well every night and move well through the day when we thought navigation would be simpler. This traverse really is achievable and can be done as an adventure; and can be enjoyable. For sure it’s hard. For sure there are times when you want it to be over (feet mostly). We also did not want to hear from Tweet on the safety comms. That meant we were careful with our navigation and took no 50/50 decisions. If you hurt yourself up there it’s a long way out and you become someone else’s problem.

The care Spurg, Tweet and Sarah showed for us all was immense. If you have ever done any one of their many races you will know just how well they manage their events. The “safety zones” along the way are amazing. The people really care for you and want you to succeed.

When Sue and I look back we only have good memories of the DGT. We speak often of the race. We are proud to have finished, importantly stayed married, and have immense respect for all others that ventured out on the first race.”

Words from Lance Chapman and Sue Chapman on their DGT-Run in 2022.

DGT-Run 2024 | 14-19 October 2024
Full details at https://dgtrun.co.za/

📷 Mountain Abandon / Sue & Lance Chapman

16/02/2024

DGT-Run | 14-19 October 2024

The 2024 edition of the DGT-Run is being staged over full moon, which will greatly assist with moving and navigating at night.

It is a “Super Full Moon” on Thursday, 17th October. With the run starting on the Monday, it will mean runners get to experience the moon getting bigger and brighter each night they spend on the mountain.

Full details at https://dgtrun.co.za/

Current entries received for 2024 = 4 teams

📷 - Matt Bouch

13/02/2024

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be traversing the Drakensburg mountain, yet alone, in an all-female team. Amri and I went through some rough patches but thanks to the support and encouragement from the amazing crew we somehow got through it and it has certainly left me with a sense of empowerment and gratitude. We were initially concerned about the safety aspect as two female alone in Lesotho is risky but not once did we feel threatened or intimated. At one point I dropped my glove and a local Basutho man ran after us to give it back to me. I can’t compare anything else to my experience of DGT, I think that is because nothing can compare or prepare you for the adventure of a lifetime.”

Words from Jo Keppler on her DGT-Run in 2022.

DGT-Run 2024 | 14-19 October 2024
Full details at https://dgtrun.co.za/

📷 Mountain Abandon

09/02/2024

DGT-Run | 14-19 October 2024

As a single-stage, non-stop event, teams will need to be self-sufficient, carrying all nutrition needed to complete the run.

There will be one Aid Station at the 100 mile point where teams will receive a hot meal, their drop bags and a place to sleep. In addition, for the 2024 event we will be setting up 6 refuge points (approx every 20-25km) at stages along the recommended route.

Volunteers will set up camp, supplying teams with a freshly brewed cup of Gegrond Coffee, hot water for any meals they are carrying, a spot in a tent and loads of support and encouragement.

Full details at https://dgtrun.co.za/

Current entries received for 2024 = 4 teams

📷 - Mountain Abandon

04/02/2024

A reshare of the Video of the DGT Run 2022.

A 2 minute window into a 100 hour journey of pain and beauty, tears and laughter, isolation and friendship.

🎥 Damien Schumann

01/02/2024

DGT Run 2024 Entries are open.

Full details and entry form on the website - https://dgtrun.co.za/

Address

Underberg
3257

Website

http://dgtrun.co.za/

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