Golden Gate Highlands National Park offers a true challenge

Temperature variations coupled with the challenging terrain did little to deter local trail enthusiasts from taking part in the Golden Gate Challenge, a three-day track and trail run through some of the most rugged yet scenic mountains of the Free State from October 18 to 20.

Participants covered just over 70km in three days, staged out of a single base camp in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park that plays host to the extreme trail event.

It is a mistake to judge the race by its distances, as it is a true challenge offering great rewards, but that means conquering big mountains and high altitudes.

The race, now in its eighth year, traverses through restricted parts of the reserve rarely seen by the public, like Little Serengeti, Cathedral Caves and many other hidden gems within the park.

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Ballito runner Emily Allan was the third lady home on day two of the highly competitive women’s race and took overall fourth place in the women’s category.

Emily has become a strong contender on the ultra trail running scene with her recent podium finish at the Mont Aux Sources 50km challenge. Emily described the event as one the hardest trail runs.

Wildlands deputy marketing director Buyi Dlamini said: “Only once a year can you run in the specific areas opened up by the WildSeries yet the hope is that after visiting these places runners will have more knowledge of the perils facing South Africa’s protected areas. We all need to take care of our beautiful country, which is an important part of our shared heritage.”

The Golden Gate Challenge features no prize money, with race fees and runner’s fundraising efforts going towards conservation efforts in the Golden Gate National Park and the endangered bearded vulture.

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