The first half of the race is very easy. From the start at the Yacht Club you can use the easy loop along the rim of the Bongolo Basin as a warm-up. This stretch is characterised by good gravel roads through farmlands. The race then heads into Queenstown through Blue Rise and around Berry Dam. By now the guinea fowl have abandoned all hope of a peaceful breakfast. The halfway mark is at the Queenstown Harriers Clubhouse. Continuing through the suburbs of Queenstown the route goes into the Longhill Reserve. The climb is steady but the effort is rewarded with panoramic views of the magnificent gardens of Queenstown. Eland, Impala, Springbok and other species of game gaze in wonder as the runners puff up the hill.
The highest point is reached at 27 kilometres after which there is a two kilometre fast and easy downhill section followed by five kilometres of demanding running as the route passes the picnic spot at Sunnyside, proceeds out of the reserve and heads back into town. You may be lucky enough to spot some rhino here, fortunately on the other side of the electric fence. The run back to the Yacht Club is fairly flat with only two hills, one a gradual incline and the other a short, steep climb up to the wall of the historic Bonkolo Dam.
The half marathon event is undulating, easy and very scenic. The race starts off with a downhill stretch into Queenstown and then goes through Blue Rise, around Berry Dam, and through Balmoral and Van Coller Park. There is a slight hill as you go past the golf course and then it is flat past the SPCA to the bottom of the Bonkolo Dam Wall. The only real hill is the 600 metre climb up to the wall.
FACILITES
There are camping facilities at the start and accommodation is available at local B & Bs.