SPU100
The Salt Pans Ultra 100 is 100km in length (on the map). You may run a few kilometres more as one struggles to run in a straight line on the Pans. SPU100 marathon starts on the Southern end of Sua Pan, the Eastern pan of the huge Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The route heads North into the vast emptiness of the Pan. Behind you is an escarpment the marks the old Southern shoreline of what was a huge inland sea.
Route Description
The race start’s at the race village at 02h00 on Saturday 30th September (Botswana’s Independence Day – PULA!). Yes, early. You run a circular route that takes in the pans, an island, some jeep trails, grasslands and some pebbly shores. There may be a little mud depending on the unreliable and erratic rains. Botswana sits on a high plains plateau at about 1,000m (3,300 feet) and in October its hot!. These altitudes are just high enough for you to notice that you aren’t running at sea level!
The first 30kms is cool, fast, flat and in the dark. You will breeze past Check Point Alpha at 15kms and Check Point Bravo at 30kms. As a special treat we have organised a full Moon to help you see. Ironically the Moon’s light will also make the Pans seem like the Moon.
At some points between Bravo and Check Point Charly you will watch the Sunrise off to your right. At Charly you will have run as deep into the Pans as you will go and at 45kms into the race you are almost half way! Next stop is Check Point Delta on top of Khukonje Island at 60kms. You will see Khukonje long before you reach it. The old baobab tree that greets you is over 1,500 years old. Walk up to its trunk, touch it and greet an old friend for me.
Take a moment here to replenish and rest. Hopefully you made the cutoff time and you can continue. 60kms done. Back to work. The hard part is about to start. As you drop off the high ground and leave the island you will join the Pans again on your way to Check Point Echo. The edge of the Pans will hug your left shoulder and the baobab marking Echo will slowly peak out at you on the horizon.
After Echo you will now run off the Pans for a while down some old jeep tracks. Notice the elephant dung? After a few K’s you will drop back onto the Pans to Check Point Foxtrot. The temperatures will be a big distraction now. Cool down at Foxtrot. And then just like that you are on your way home to the Finish to be welcomed by your fans, a cold Pepsi and Steri Stumpie and maybe a medal if you made the cut off.
The SPU100 entry fee includes:
Pasta supper on Fri 29 Sep 23 (@19h00)
Pre race breakfast on Sat 30 Sep 23 (@01h00)
Post race light lunch on Sat 30 Sep 23 from 12h00
Post race braai on Sat 30 Sep 23 (@19h30)
Goodie Bag
Official Race t shirt
Sweepers
6x Water tables
Full Medical Support
Finish Line Beer / Drink
Finishers Medal (if 19h00 cut off made)
Awards Celebration on Sat 30 Sep 23 (@18h00)
Use of camping facilities for the runner (must provide own tent etc)
Raffle ticket for raffle prize of 2 nights for 2 at 5* Chobe Game Lodge including all activities food and local beverages worth BWP50,000*
BWP100 donation to the Lady Khama Charitable Trust
*if post race questionnaire is completed
Technical Information
Aid Stations |
Distance |
Cut-Off |
Nutrition |
Hydration |
Seconding Access |
Medical Support |
Cell Com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Alpha |
15km |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Full |
Limited |
|
Bravo |
30km |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Full |
Limited |
|
Charlie |
45km |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Full |
No |
|
Delta |
60km
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Full
|
Limited |
|
Echo |
78km |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Full
|
Limited |
|
Foxtrot |
89km
|
No |
Yes
|
Yes
|
No |
Full |
Limited |