This ultra marathon race is of an extreme nature. It will be a serious undertaking to train hard enough to cope with the onslaught of the Namib Desert on your body, covering 126km (78 miles) in the brief time span of 24 hours.

You will adventure race across the vast expanses of the Namib desert, through the endless gravel plains framed by distant ridges and mountains, past dramatic upheavals of granite inselbergs and all under the clearest of blue skies during the day and a full moon during the night.

The ultra marathoners will be completely self reliant throughout the race, and will need to carry their food and equipment on their backs. Water stations and medical tents will be provided at 21km intervals along the route. Temperatures are expected to be in the region of min 5ºc / max 36 ºc but could be more extreme.

Accommodation

Your first two nights will be spent camping will be in 2 man dome tents with in a remote desert camp with basic facilities which does include however a bar, dining area, showers and long drop loos.

The final night will be spent at Hotel Alte Brucke in Swakopmund on the infamous Skeleton Coast. This hotel is situated 10 minutes walk from the town centre and is also close to the beach. Swakopmund has a restful and relaxing atmosphere with promenades, palm trees and beautifully tended public gardens

Flight Information

The flights are with South African Airways from London Heathrow to Windhoek via Johannesburg

SA 235   24th May 2010    London Heathrow / Johannesburg  1900 / 0720+1 (arrives 25th)
SA 74     25th May 2010   Johannesburg / Windhoek                  0945 / 1045
SA 77     30th May 2010   Windhoek / Johannesburg                  1510 / 1800
SA 236   30th May 2010  Johannesburg / London Heathrow    2020 / 0655+1 (arrives 31st)

Visa Requirements

British nationals can enter Namibia for touristic visits up to 90 days without a visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon entry to Namibia.

All non British nationals are required to check with the Namibian High Commission in London.

Head of Mission:
HE Mr George Mbanga Liswaniso
6 Chandos Street
London
W1G 9LU

Telephone: (020) 7636 6244
Facsimile: (020) 7637 5694
Email: namibia.hicom@btconnect.com

Office Hours Mon–Fri: 0900–1300 & 1400–1700

DAY 1- LONDON  – WINDHOEK

We board our international flight from London  bound for Windhoek.

DAY 2 - WINDHOEK –BRANDBERG

On arrival at Windhoek, we transfer by bus to our camp in the Namib Desert. On arrival at camp there will be a short orientation briefing. After this you are free settle in, begin marathon preparations and take in some of the awesome surroundings.

DAY 3 - RACE REGISTRAION AND ACCLIMATISATION DAY

After breakfast, a half day trek is arranged to give you an indication of the type of terrain and extremes you will encounter during the race. In the afternoon, a full ultra marathon briefing will take place. A pre challenge meal is provided in the evening followed by a final Q&A session.

DAY 4 - RACE DAY

After an early breakfast, the firing pistol will sound at 09:00 sharp, and your epic journey will commence.

DAY 5 - RACE FINISH AND RECOVERY

After a night spent adventure running by the light of the full moon, you will continue your gruelling run back to the finish line on the beach at Jakkalsputs on the Atlantic Coast. Your gear and tent are set up and ready for you to crawl in to and begin your recovery. After a short lie in, camp is left behind at around 13:00 and we transfer to our hotel in Swakopmund where the sensible runners take the time to relax and recover from their efforts from the previous 24hours.

DAY 6 - FREE DAY IN SWAKOPMUND

Today is free to explore Swakopmund and the surrounding area at our leisure. In the late afternoon a visit to the nearby Swakopmund dunes is arranged, followed by a celebratory meal to congratulate ourselves on our achievements and swap stories of our adventure.

DAY 7- TRANSFER TO WINDHOEK

After breakfast at the lodge we board our bus and transfer back to the airport for our flight back home.

DAY 8 - ARRIVAL BACK IN THE UK

We arrive back in the UK.

Absolutely fantastic event that will be with everyone for the rest of their lives and for all the right reasons. The organisation and logistics of marathon day was outstanding and this is clear in everyone’s feelings today, for such a challenging race, in a hostile and almost unbearable climate over such a distance. Jerry Haywood, 2009 Ultra Runner.

Across the Divide have captured the spirit of adventure racing in this event for me! Andy McMenemy, Namibia ultra marathon participant 2008.