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The Marathon would not be possible without the cooperation and kindness of the irrigation farmers along the river. It is your duty as participants, seconds, spectators and canoeing enthusiasts to ensure that this goodwill is maintained through your action and behaviour. It is imperative that the paddlers and PARTICULARLY their second’s adhere to the rules required by the landowners as this will ensure a trouble free arrangement and long standing access to Keith’s. Please be considerate to the farmers and the marathon committee by cooperating with these requests. The inconsiderate behaviour of canoeists/second’s in previous years has resulted in many unpleasant confrontations.
FIRST DAY BY ROAD:
FOLLOW THE YELLOW AND BLACK ROAD SIGNS ALONG THE ROUTE.
The race starts at the East bank of Grassridge Dam (1) at 07:00. Paddlers will receive a SMS with starting times. Allow 1½ hours for travelling, preparation and checking in. To get to Double Trouble (3) in time, seconds should leave straight after the start. Please note that the road is on private property and is a ONE WAY road to Double Trouble (3), Toastrack (4) and Keith’s Flyover (5) crossing over Keith’s Bridge and following the left bank of the river, exiting at Soutpan’s Bridge. This road has speed bumps and is accessible to BAKKIES and 4×4’s ONLY – NO TRAILERS. PLEASE USE DESIGNATED PARKING AND DO NOT PARK ON OR NEXT TO THE BRIDGE.
The road will only be open on THURSDAY BETWEEN 10:00 – 16:30 AND ON FRIDAY DURING THE EVENT.
Permission was granted on the proviso that people using the road would adhere to the following conditions:
- ONLY ONE WAY TRAFFIC IS ALLOWED – ONCE YOU GO TO DOUBLE TROUBLE, YOU MUST CARRY ON TO SOUTPAN’S BRIDGE.
- Spectators at Double Trouble enter at their own risk and are to respect the property of the farmer.
- NO VEHICLES STOPPING ON BRIDGES. Canoeists portaging Keith’s will be crossing the flow of traffic at the bridge.
- NO SPECTATORS STANDINGON KEITH’S BRIDGE- VEHICLES CROSS OVER THE BRIDGE.
- DON’T LITTER& DON’T DRIVE OVER THE VELD, ANYONE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE WILL BE HELD LIABLE.
- USE THE ROAD IS AT YOUR OWN RISK,THE FARMERS & MARATHON HAVE TOTAL INDEMNITY FROM ANY CLAIMS.
- SHOULD THERE BE HEAVY RAIN, THE ROAD WILL BE CLOSED.
The continued use of this road is dependent on adherence to the above.
At Soutpan’s Bridge (10) there is an exciting series of rapids. The leading boats should be there about 1:45 hours after the start. Parking area has been made here, NO PARKING WITHIN 50m of Soutpan’s Bridge on the main road. PLEASE DO NOT crowd Soutpan’s Bridge, this is a safety hazard. If requested by Officials to move, please do so. Follow the signs to Katkop Weir (11), but please don’t park where the paddlers portage. This is followed by Glen Alpha (12) the Finish (13) – 1 km below Knutsford Bridge where refreshments and food can be bought. This is a One Way road!
NB: Please follow the arrows to the designated parking area at the KNUTSFORD FINISH. You will be directed to parking at the main entrance gate.
DAY TWO BY ROAD
FOLLOW THE YELLOW AND BLACK ROAD SIGNS ALONG THE ROUTE.
Paddlers will receive a SMS with batch seeding and starting times. The first batch starting time is at 6h30. Allow 1¼ hours for travelling, preparation and checking in.
After the start at Knutsford, seconds must take the ONE WAY road next to the railway line toward Baroda Weir where the newly build Baroda Chute (14) lookout is, or follow the sign to Reveille Bridge (15) or Baroda Bridge (16). Baroda Chute and Reveille Bridge are close to the start, so, if going there, leave well before the start.
Longacre Bridge (17) is an excellent vantage point with an elevated view upstream and downstream. To proceed to Longacre Bridge, cross over the Baroda Bridge and follow the signs. The new route will now take you over Longacre Bridge to Gauging Weir (18), where there will be a small one-way traffic road running along the river and exiting at Marlow Causeway (19). Continue past Marlow School to the Marlow Chute (20), where there is a great close-up viewing spot for spectators. Next up is the exciting Cradock Weir (21).
The bridge at Cradock Weir will be closed to traffic – no access for vehicles, spectators only. Continue back on the tar road into Cradock to the Finish at the Sports Complex.
Entry fee for non-paddlers at the Sport Complex:
Friday until 16:00 – FREE, thereafter R20 per adult and R10 per child
Saturday Until 16:00 – FREE, thereafter R20 per adult and R10 per child
PLEASE DO NOT pay the entry fee for vagrants, this creates a security problem.
Keep clear of the fence surrounding the Gig Rig Stage at all times.
KEEP VEHICLES LOCKED AT ALL TIMES AND LOCK VALUABLES IN THE TRUNK. DON’T LEAVE VALUABLES IN TENTS AND VEHICLES AS THIS CREATES UNNECESSARY TEMPTATION FOR THIEVES.
