South Coast hosts international adventure race

THE South Coast’s potential as an eco-adventure destination will come under the global spotlight when it host this year’s Expedition Africa 500km Adventure Race, one of the events that make up the Adventure Racing World Series.

This week, Ugu South Coast Tourism announced it had signed an agreement with the organiser, Kinetic Events, to hold this prestigious adventure race in this area. Altogether, 20 South African and 20 international mixed, four-person teams are expected to take part in this gruelling, multi-disciplinary event, which starts and finishes in Port Edward and takes place from May 25 to 31.

The teams will run, hike, cycle, kayak, swim and abseil across 500km of rugged but spectacular terrain, using a map to find their way to the various checkpoints, transitions and, ultimately, the finish line. The course will traverse sections of the the harsh Umtamvuna Gorge and remote rural areas in the Eastern Cape.

“We are thrilled to host this extreme event. To have 40 teams from around the world joining us in our piece of paradise is a true privilege,” said tourism chief executive Justin Mackrory.

According to Heidi Muller of Kinetic Events the race would bring many economic benefits to the host area. The 160 competitors would not only be here for the five race days but would need to spend additional days here to acclimatise. A large contingent of media people would be here to follow the race.

The publicity this area received during the race would be a huge boon for our tourism industry, said tourism’s marketing and events specialist Nikki Tilley.

“The world media will be watching us. All teams bring their own media people who will constantly upload visual and other content to social media and television in many different countries. From a tourism point of view, what better way to market an area to a global audience?” she said.

As well as reporting on the race itself, media people would highlight places of interest and natural beauty in the vicinity of the courses.

“We are incredibly fortunate to be able to work with 20 media agencies and journalists from around the world and to develop networks to build on other sporting events on the South Coast,” she added.

Every year the race organisers incorporate a development aspect in the race, with competitors taking part in a community project in the host area on the day before the race begins. Last year, when Expedition Africa was held in the Drakensberg, competitors spent a day planting trees. This year will see the world-class athletes giving swimming and paddling lessons to local children. Previous Adventure Africa events have also been held in the Port Alfred and Hermanus areas.

There are some opportunities for local business people to be involved in the event. For instance they could help by supplying 80 branded T-shirts and lunch boxes for the children taking part in the community project. Off-road vehicles are also needed to assist media people with transport. Contact: Heidi at 011 8078027 or 082 5646468.

Further good news is that the event organisers are so impressed with this area’s adventure racing potential that discussions are under way about holding the adventure race world championships here in 2016.