The team at WCAD have upgraded their fifth series event to a 250-kilometre distance race that starts and finishes in the Grabouw region.
WCAD X is an unsupported (no support crew) adventure race held over the weekend of 11-13 October 2013. The organisers are offering free airport shuttles to those coming in from outside of Cape Town.
The event includes a section of ropes in addition to the usual disciplines of trekking, mountain biking and paddling. Boats are provided for the river and flatwater sections. The organisers handle all logistics for teams during the event.
WCAD X starts at 06h00 on the Friday with the course closing at 18h00 on Sunday – that’s 60hrs allowed from start to finish. Slower teams and less experienced teams will be able to take short cuts on the course to get through to the finish by the time the course closes on Sunday evening.
Pairs and teams of four are the team categories, with an entry fee of R6,000 for a team of four and R4,000 for a pair.
There is also a 50km short-course event, starting from Theewaterskloof Dam in Villierdorp, on Sunday, 13 October.
Download the detailed information pack from the WCAD website.
Introduction to WCAD X
WCAD X is a 250km ‘Expedition Style’ adventure race. The 2013 inaugural event will take place in the Grabouw region on 11-13 October and will involve trail running/trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, ropework, etc. Competitors will race, non-stop, in teams of two or four, they must stay together at all times as they navigate their way through a non-marked route from check-point to check-point using topographical maps provided by race organisers. Route choice, navigational ability and adaptation to changing circumstances all play an important role. GPS devices are not permitted and competitors must be able to navigate by compass. No support crew/seconder required. There will also be a 50km short course running concurrently on Sunday 13 October 2013 from the same start/finish venue. More info on 50km race at www.wcad.co.za.
WCAD X Event details
Dates and Times
Thursday 10 October 2013
- Airport pick-up: 16h00
- Registration: 16h00-20h00
- Race briefing and Q&A session: 20h30
Friday 11 October 2013
- Re-supply box hand-in: 05h30
- Final Q&A: 5h45
- Race Start:06h00
Sunday 13 October 2013
- Prize Giving:16h00 (together with 50km prize-giving)
- Finish cut-off: 18h00
- Airport shuttle departs:18h30 (arrive at airport 19h30)
Course/Route Format
The course will take teams on a big loop starting and finishing in the same place (event headquarters to be announced 4 weeks prior to event) You will constantly move in one direction (i.e. no loops). It will be approximately 250km in total but this may vary largely with route choice and navigation.
The discipline breakdown will be approximately:
- 60-65% MTB
- 25-30% Trekking
- 10-15% Kayaking
The course will also include a ropework section. This will likely be a fixed point abseil or series of abseils. Ropes and safety will be in place. You may use your own harness etc or hire from organisers for a nominal fee.
There will be cut-off point(s) en route at which stage, slower teams will be fast tracked via shorter/quicker routes to make up time and hopefully still get to the finish line before the Sunday 6pm cut-off. These teams will receive ‘official’ short course finishes and will not be classified as DNF. They will not, however, be eligible for podium/prizes.
All logistics/support to be provided by race organisers
Team Format
We encourage teams to enter as mixed gender teams of 4. We will also accept experienced pairs and single gender 4s. Prizes will be awarded to top 3 mixed fours and first place only in pairs category.
Entry Fee
Teams of 4: R6000
Teams of 2: R4000
Videos
There are a number of videos, produced by WCAD, from past events. You can watch them on the WCAD website.