2018 Dryland Traverse Entries Open

Entries to the trail running adventure, that is the 2018 Dryland Traverse, open on Thursday the 30^th of November. The event, which will take place from the 1^st to the 4^th of November next year, offers four days of scintillating trail running and a famously festive atmosphere in the De Hoek Mountain Resort race village.

In celebration of the entries opening the Dryland Event Management team are offering an early bird special for all trail runners who enter and pay before the 31^st of December 2017. The early bird offer provides would-be Dryland Traverse entrants with the chance to enter the 2018 event at the 2017 prices.

The Dryland Traverse has built a reputation for challenging, technical routes, through some of the most beautiful and historic sections of the Swartberg Mountain range. The highlights of which include the prologue which starts with a 2 kilometre long section through the Cango Caves, a truly unique feature which only the Dryland Traverse can boast of. Other sections of note include the breath-taking views offered by the technical ascent up the Swartberg on Stage 1; the descent along the Swartberg Pass, which like the Cango Caves is a World Heritage Site; and the unspoilt technical trails which make Stage 2 a firm entrants’ favourite.

The fun does not stop on the trails of the Dryland Traverse however. The isolated De Hoek Mountain Resort is located in a valley in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains and its seclusion lends a sense of escapism to the entire event. With limited cell phone signal runners have no external distractions to concern themselves with, but can rather focus on having fun. The relaxed atmosphere this creates leads to the making of new friends while relaxing in the chill zone or lounging beside the crystal clear mountain water fed pool in the afternoons.

The Dryland Traverse also boasts the most eagerly anticipated fancy dress party of the year. In recent years the theme has ranged from 80’s, to beach parties and Cirque du Karoo. With the final stage starting at a leisurely 09:30 and being a short, 11 kilometre, trot through an obstacle course and along the base of an impressive cliff face the pressure to get a good night’s rest is minimal. Everyone is encouraged to get involved and it’s not uncommon to see the race leaders dancing the night away until the lights are switched on and superstar dj, Johan Brooks’ music is turned off.

For more information and for online entries to the 2018 Dryland Traverse, which takes place from the 1^st to the 4^th of November, please visit www.drylandtraverse.co.za.