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The Golden Gate: The Forgotten Year; Registration is now Open
South African National Parks (SANParks) today announced that the registration for the 2020 edition of its annual Golden Gate Challenge to be hosted at Golden Gate Highlands National Park (GGHNP) in the Free State is now open.
This is according to GGHNP Park Manager, Paddy Gordon who said the event, which forms part of the WILDSERIES, is hosted in partnership with Wildlands Conservation Trust (Wildtrust) and the SANParks Honorary Rangers in the KwaZulu Natal region.
Gordon said the event themed 'Golden Gate Challenge:: The Forgotten Year' will be taking place over the weekend of 30 October to 1 November 2020 at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. “Those familiar with the race will attest that this is a one-of-a-kind mountain marathon that requires both agility and precise strategy from participants.” He said the race is known to be physically and mentally strenuous to whoever dares to attempt it… “but with the country now having moved to the alert level one nationwide regulations, coupled with many months of restrictions on travelling, this event provides an ideal opportunity for nature lovers to be out in nature and enjoy the outdoors again.”
The trail run is an initiative of Wildtrust to celebrate the long-lasting and fruitful relationship with SANParks and their Honorary Rangers to further herald the impressive conservation efforts all organizations contribute to the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
Gordon emphasised that all COVID-19 safety protocols will be observed. This means that only 40 people will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature and physically participate in this year's event. However, participants who cannot physically be in the park will have the opportunity to join the Golden Gate Challenge through a Virtual Adventure on the cutting-edge Scavify mobile app.
According to Strategic Manager Hanno Langenhoven at Wildtrust, the organisers will follow the International Trail Running Association (ITRA) and South Africa Association of Mountain Endurance Sport (SAAMES) best practices for safety in this 'new normal' celebration trail event. Social distancing will be required and all participants must wear their masks for the staggered start to ensure the safety of the runners and the team of staff and volunteers from the SANParks Honorary Rangers.
SANParks Honorary Rangers Chief Operations Officer Francois Peenz said: “We are over the moon that it has become possible once again to host this event even though it is under difficult conditions pertaining to COVID-19 regulations. This in our view is a great opportunity for ordinary South Africans to participate in making our national parks sustainable as all proceeds from this event will be for the benefit of the WildlTrust and SANParks conservation efforts, so we heartily welcome every participant back to the WILD.”
To register for either the physical trail run or the virtual Golden Gate Adventure, please go to http://gg.entrysys.co.za/. To book your accommodation at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park for the event, send an email to Hanno Langenhoven at Wildtrust ([email protected]) and for more information, please visit the social media handles listed below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildSeriesTrail
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wild_series/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WildSeriesSA
Issued By
South African National Parks (SANParks) Northern Region Communications
Media Enquiries
Sipho Mkhwanazi
SANParks, Regional Communications Manager
Tel: (012) 5304; Cell: 083 573 2543; Email: [email protected]
Dalene Preston
SANParks Honorary Rangers
Cell: 082 773 6299 Email: [email protected]