The Oyster Catcher stage trail run follows the famous Oyster Catcher hiking route, from the Gouritz River Mouth to Mossel Bay via the St Blaize hiking route along the Southern Cape coastline in the Garden Route of South Africa. The Oystercatcher trail is a world acclaimed experience, a lighthouse to lighthouse trail rated by National Geographic Traveller as “One of the Top 50 tours of a lifetime” with the BBC classing it as one of “30 Unforgettable hikes to do…” and the local Getaway Magazine rating it as one of the top 5 South African hiking routes.
The Oyster Catcher trail run is primarily designed for trail runners looking to complete their first multi-day stage race. The distances covered are manageable and the terrain is made up mainly of single track (hiking trails) and beach running, with some technical areas to add variety. Due to the sensitivity of the area, a limited number of only 300 runners can enter each year, so don’t miss out!
Friday, 11 October 2024 – Sunday, 13 October 2024
BOGGOMSBAAI
RACE INFORMATION
Event Information
Names like the Gourikwa Nature Reserve, Boggomsbaai, Vleesbaai and the St Blaize hiking trail are places you may never have heard of, while Mossel Bay, the Garden Route and Gouritz River Mouth are place names you are more likely to be familiar with on the South African map, running along breath-taking beaches, dunes, cliffs and fynbos (natural shrubland vegetation unique to South Africa). It is in this area that the Oyster Catcher trail run takes place, over three days. The trail run took runners along some of the most spectacular coastlines the country has to offer with a variety of raptors, smaller birdlife and marine species as inhabitants, including the famous and vulnerable African Black Oyster Catcher. These waders are found in the area, giving the route its name and was until recently on the endangered species list. Part of the initiative of this run is to re-kindle the runners with nature and create awareness to the plight of the species, as well as educate visitors to preserve the fragile ecosystem.
Day one took the runners along a 20km circular route into the Gourikwa Private Nature Reserve where they ran past the towering Ystervarkpunt (Porcupine point) lighthouse, on mainly coastal and jeep tracks. Day two brought some more technical areas over another 20km with runners starting at Gouritz River Mouth, on the opposite side of the river, ending in Boggemsbaai. On the final day, the route wrapped around the cliffs of the St Blaize hiking trail in Mossel Bay, starting at Dana Bay beach to The Point, Mossel Bay. The route passes the Pinnacle Point Caves where recent Mitochondrial DNA research has shown that all humans alive today descend from a small population that lived here between 150,000 and 200,000 years ago. New archaeological research has revealed that at least some of those people lived in the area now known as Mossel Bay.
In 2020, the 2-day and 3-day events will once again, take place over the same weekend and follow a similar route, with a dedicated luxury tent race village, situated at Boggomsbaai. This is the ideal breakaway weekend for the whole family. Here you can escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy a weekend of trail running, magnificent views, fresh air and freedom along the Southern Cape coastline. The Oyster Catcher trail run is primarily designed for trail runners looking to complete their first multi-day stage race. The distances covered are manageable and the terrain is made up mainly of single track (hiking trails) and beach running, with some technical areas to add variety. Due to the sensitivity of the area, a limited number of only 500 runners can enter each year. Don’t miss out!
Event limited to 200 entries per event
EVENT INFORMATION AT A GLANCE:
EVENT TYPE: A 2 or 3-day stage race option
DATE: Friday, 11 October to Sunday 13 October 2024 (arriving 10 Oct)
VENUE: Boggomsbaai, Garden Route, South Africa
FORMAT: 2 or 3-day stage trail run
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/OysterCatcherTrailRun/
Entry Fee Information
Entry Fees
3 Day Trail Run: R4,950.00
2 Day Trail Run : R3,750.00
Payment plan : 30% on entering, followed by two installments. Entries needs to be fully paid by 31 Aug 2024.
Included in your Entry
- Absolutely magnificent trails along the coast line of the Southern Cape, between Gouritz and Mossel Bay;
- Permission to use the private properties;
- 1 well stocked water table per day on route with all the goodies;
- Water table at the finish;
- Goodie bag;
- Technical Garment;
- Event headband;
- Bus transport for Day 2 and Day 3 from the finish line to the start line
- Light lunch every day at finish venues;
- Free Sedgefield Brewery Finishers Beer every day;
- Medical and emergency services on standby;
- Finishers medal;
- Prizes for winners; and
- Professional photographer and slide shows in the evenings.
Cancellation / Refund Policy
- No refunds of your deposit paid or entry fees unless we have to cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances. In this case your entry will be transferable
- Entries are not transferable.
- NO EXCEPTIONS (INCLUDING MEDICAL).
This event will take place regardless of bad weather and will only be cancelled, re-routed or stopped for reasons of Safety, Act of Nature or by any reason out of our control. In this event, entry fees are NOT refundable, but will be transferable to a next event.
Cancellation / Refund Policy
Cancellation / Refund Policy
- No refunds of your deposit paid or entry fees unless we have to cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Entries are not transferable to 2025.
- NO EXCEPTIONS (INCLUDING MEDICAL).
This event will take place regardless of bad weather and will only be cancelled, re-routed or stopped for reasons of Safety, Act of Nature or by any reason out of our control. In this event, entry fees are NOT refundable, but will be transferable to a next event.
Routes
3 DAY OPTION
- Day 1 Gourikwa circular route, 20km
- Day 2 Kanon to Boggomsbaai Golf Club 15km
- Day 3 Dana Bay to The Point, Mossel Bay 16km
2 DAY OPTION
- Day 1 Kanon to Boggomsbaai Golf Club 15km
- Day 2 Dana Bay to The Point, Mossel Bay 16km
Please note : At the discretion of Event Organiser and Route Director, routes can be changed at any time due to Covid Regulations or for safety reason.
Route Profiles
Compulsory Equipment
As a precaution and depending on the weather condition, we would like you to carry the following compulsory equipment with you during your run. It is for your own personal safety. Please adhere to the following:
- Cell phone
- zip lock bag to keep phone dry
- Space blanket
- Backpack
- Whistle
- Hat
- Emergency food
- Water bottles
- Sunscreen (factor 50)
- Outer shell jacket (waterproof)
Please ensure that you have the compulsory equipment with you at all times during race as conditions change quickly.
Registration and Late Entries
Pre-entries will close 1 October 2024 or when the limit has been reached. Please note that this event fills up fast. No late entries will be accepted.
Registration for the 3-day event will be Thursday, 10 October 2024 from 17:00 – 19:30 with Welcoming and Dinner afterwards at Race Village.
Registration for the 2-day event will be Friday, 11 October 2024 from 17:00-19:30.
Accommodation, Meals and Race Village
Race Village
The Race Village will be Boggomsbaai Golf Club, Garden Route, Western Cape.
Boggoms Bay is the most central place on the Oyster Catcher Trail run, it is situated between Gouritz and Mossel Bay. There are no restaurants close by, so it is compulsory to book your meals with your entry.
Luxury Tents
R2800.00 for the duration of the event, from Thursday evening to Sunday lunch time.
Luxury tents, sleeping two people, will be available to book and includes the following :
– 3x3m Canvas Tent
– Battery Powered LED Camp Light
– Bedside Table
– 2x Canvas Fold-Up Directors Chair
– 2x Stretchers – Each with:
* Mattress
* Fitted Sheet
* Flat Sheet
* Comforter/Duvet
* Fleece Blanket
* Pillow with Case
* Bottle of Still Water
Meals
If you booked a tent, you should book meals as there are no kitchen facilities available. No restaurants in the area.
DINNERS
Dinners can be booked at R230 per Dinner :
Thursday Dinner
Friday Dinner
Saturday Dinner
LUNCHES
All lunches included in your entry. Additional lunches for family / supporters, can be booked at R180 per person. Prize Giving lunch at Big Blu included in your entry, but supporters and family members can book at R200 per person.
BREAKFAST
For those staying in the tented village, there is kitchen facilities available to prepare your own breakfast.
Note that meals can only be pre-booked.
Other Accommodation in the area
Only 50 tents available in the Race Village.
More accommodation is available as below, please contact venues directly:
LAMONT BOERDERY
SANDPIPER GUEST COTTAGES
CAPE VACCA COTTAGES
GOURIKWA NATURE RESERVE
Event Schedule
Thursday, 10 October 2024
17:00 – 20:00 Registration for 3-day Trail Run at Golf Club, Boggomsbaai
19:00 Welcoming
19:15 Dinner at Race Village, Boggomsbaai
Friday, 11 October 2024
07:30 Meet at Gourikwa Nature Reserve, plenty parking available.
08:00 Start of Day 1, run a circular route at Gourikwa Nature Reserve.
11:00 onwards: Lunch at Gourikwa Nature Reserve
12:00 onwards: Bar opens at Race Village
17:00 Registration for 2-day event, Race Village
18:00 Slide Show
18:30 Dinner at Race Village
Saturday, 12 October 2024
07:00 Meet at Golf Club, where you will leave your vehicle and be transported to the start. Your friends/family can also take you to the start. No cars to be left at the start line.
08:00 Start of the Race. Run from Kanon to Boggoms Bay Golf Club
11:00 onwards: Lunch at Golf Club.
12:00 onwards: Bar opens
18:00 Slide Show
18.30 Dinner at Race Village
Sunday, 13 October 2024
07:00 Meet at The Point, Mossel Bay Point, where you will leave your
vehicle and be transported to the start. Your friends/family can also take you to the start.
08:00 Start of the race. Run from Dana Bay 2nd Beach to The Big Blu Restaurant.
10:30 onwards: Lunch at Big Blu Restaurant.
11:00 Prize Giving
Contact us
janine@oyster-catcher.co.za | call +27 (0) 836 622 022
