100 KM OF NAMIB DESERT
DISTANCES
100 km of Namib Desert,
in 4 stages:
Per Runners The first leg, 15 km, start in the afternoon and end among the beautiful colours of the african sunset, The second leg it's a half marathon in the Tsauchab river bed. The third is the classic distance of a marathon, 42,195 km. The last leg, 26 km, run in the highest dunes in the world.
For Walkers: 15 + 20 + 30 + 11 km.
HOTEL
A prefect balance between the luxury of a namibian lodge and an extreme race in the most ancient desert in the world.
Double rooms at Sossusvlei lodge with A/C, swimming pool and an amazing restaurant.
ASSISTANCE
The paths are entirely marked by carton boards, ribbons and hi-visibility flag; every stage is patrolled by medical and technical vehicles. If needed, it's possible to be rescued and driven to the camp.
NEXT EDITION
26 February
- 2 March
2024
100km of Namib Desert - 26 February-3 March 2024
What is 100km of Namib desert ?
A desert race, but in southern Africa, far from the geo-political problems affecting other African countries: a totally safe race.
Not necessarily running in the desert means sleeping on the ground, eating lyofilized food and carrying heavy packs on your shoulders. there’s another way to experience the desert with its fascinating features: the 100 km of Namib Desert.
It’s the only 5 stars race, both for the environment of Namib Desert, the most beautiful and ancient desert in the world and for the accommodations in a fantastic 5 stars lodge.
A very demanding race, but with luxurious ‘Five Star’ accommodations that allow you to prepare and recover to face the 4 competing days, each one different from the other one.
A great atmosphere, natural beauty, fascination, but also relaxation and comforts: these are the race program ingredients, that will make a vacation of sport, nature and… Adventure
La 100km of Namib Desert is parto of Zitoway Sport & Adventure stages’ races desertic environment, together with 100km du Senegal and 100km del Sahara.
Here the pictures of previous editions
Video 100km of Namib Desert
Program 2024
Monday, 26 february, 2024
Arrivals.
Meetin of the participant at Avani hotel in Windhoek. Dinner and overnight.
Tuesday, 27 february, 2024
Toward Sossusvlei – First Stage.
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- 8 AM. Transfer by bus (about 320 km, 5 hours) to the Sossusvlei Lodge.
- Arrival, accommodation in the assigned bungalows, lunch. DISCOVER THE LODGE!
- 4 PM. Technical checks and bibs delivery by the conference hall.
- 6,15 p.m. (5,45 p.m. for the walkers) first leg start, 15 km at sunset, finish line at the lodge. Finish of the race at sunset: the slower runners will finish the leg with dark, so a headlight is highly reccomended.
- Dinner in the Lodge and overnight stay
.
Wednesday, 28 february, 2024
Stage 2
- Early wake up and breakfast.
- 6:00 a.m. Short transfer of about 10 km to the start of the 2nd stage of 21 km to Sesriem Canyon, arriving directly at the lodge.
- Lunch and afternooon at leisure.
- At 7,00 p.m. General meeting by the conference hall, technical briefing of the 3rd leg and slide show with pictures of the first two legs.
Thursday, 29 february, 2024
Third Stage.
- Early wake up and Breakfast
- At 6.00 a.m. short transfer (about 3 km) to the start line of the 3rd leg: 42,195 km (marathon) At 6,30 a.m. start of the leg.
- At 7,00 p.m. general meeting by the conference hall, technical briefing of the 4th leg and slide show with day pictures. Dinner in the Lodge and overnight stay
Friday, 1 march, 2024
Fourth Stage.
- Early wake up and breakfast
- At 6.00 a.m. 45 km transfer with the Lodge vehicles to the famous “dune 45” for the start of the 4th leg. At 7,00 start of the fourth leg. About 26 km run, with finish line in the heart of Sossusvlei big dunes. Award official ceremony and lunch Transfer backs to the Lodge, and afternoon at leisure.
- At 6.00 p.m. meeting by the conference hall and slide show
- At 6,30 p.m. short transfer by 4×4 in zone Sunset Cocktail At 8.00 p.m. final “bush dinner” organized by the lodge
Saturday, 2 march, 2024
Rest day and return to Windhoek
- Early wake up and Breakfast
- At 10.00 a.m. transfer to Windhoek by bus, lunch onboard Arrival in Windhoek at about 3.00 p.m. in front of Avani hotel. Farewell and end of services.
- IMPORTANT NOTE:Participants, depending on the days and times of their respective return flights will arrange on their own (or through Born2Run agency) any hotel accommodations in Windhoek in case the flight is the next day.
Participation Fees for Runners and Walkers.
No Flight
Program without flight-
Transfer Windhoek-Sossusvlei-Windhoek
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4 nights in Sossusvlei Lodge double room
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Full board from 28/02 dinner to 02/03 breakfast.
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Race presentation drink
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dinner and overbight in Hotel**** on 27/02, double room
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All transfers as per program
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Touristic assistance
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Friday night Bush Dinner
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Sunset Cocktail
Bib number
Only for those enrolled in the program with a stay-
Technical T-shirt
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Cotton T-shirt
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Hat with veil
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Race assistance
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Medical assistance
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Refreshments
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Medal
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+90.00 € agency fees
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Park entrance for the 3 race days
Bib number
NAMIBIAN OR ZA RESIDENTS-
Technical T-shirt
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Cotton T-shirt
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Hat with veil
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Race assistance
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Medical assistance
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Refreshments
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Medal
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+90.00 € agency fees
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Park entrance for the 3 race days
NO FLIGHT OPTION:
All programs will be sold withouth the flights.
In this case, the meeting will be at the Avani hotel in Windhoek in dicember 5.
Some Advises
- What documents I need ?Passport with at least 6 months validity
- Do I need vaccinations ? no.
- What is Namibian currency, do I need money during the race ? Namibian dollar, no money is necessary.
- Any SIM card would work ? Yes, but a local SIM would be cheaper
- Where’s Namibia, in Africa? In southern Africa bordering with South Africa, Bostwana, Angola and Zambia.
- What is the official language ? Afrikaaner and english.
- Where in Namibia does the race take place ? In Namib desert area, ipartially inside Namib Naukluft Park.
- How’s climate ? Dry hot.
- Average temperatures ? Good (fresh) by early morning, rapidly increasing since 9 AM on. Up to 50°C.
- Which time zone ? GMT 0.
- How’s the terrain ? Desert ground, with dust roads/trails and sand. Part stony, jagged grounds and part sand dunes
- What animals are visibile during the race ? Oryx, ostrich, zebras , gnus, antelope, springbok, different birds…no carnivors.
- Are there insects ? no
- What is the compulsory equipment ? Water 1 lt. (minimum), minerals, aluminium blanket, lighter, whistle.
- How’s the itinerary marked ? Carton boards, arrows, hi-visibility flags.
- Where do I litter ? Rubbish must be carried, in own backpack and thrown at the lodge .
- What is served in the refreshment points ? Water, tea, fruit, cookies.
- Is GPS useful ? Useful for own pace or recording the stages. Not necessary for orientation during the race.
- Has cell phone signal along the routes ? Usually not.
- Do I need a medical certificate ? Only for the italian runners. For foreign runners, own country regulations rule.
- Is it advisable to have a personal insurance ? It’s highly reccomended.
- Is there Zitoway staff along the routes ? Yes, many 4×4 vehicles, including the medical one, from the start to the finish line.
- Is internet available ? yes
Can I call from the lodge ? yes
Which plug (adapter) do I need to charge my devices in the lodge? There are both european and local plugs. - What is served as meals ? The menu is arranged to reach up all the food needs of the sportsmen, with pasta, rice, soups meat, vegetables, fruits and cakes. At breakfast cereals, cakes, bread, jam, eggs, bacon, beans, meat, cheese, juices, coffee, tea, milk.
- I have nutritional special need, what do I do ? Born2Run agency must be alerted, they will inform the lodge accordingly.
- I’d like to bring along another not running person, are there activites available ? Escorts can follow the race on board the organization car or walk part of the stages. They can also take advantage of the many extra activities, organised by the Adventure Center of Lodge: 4×4 guided tours, scenic flights by plane, balloon, or helicopter and game drives.
- I’d like to spend some more time in Namibia, who I refer to ? It’s possible to check with Zitoway for possible extensions.
- What are the best shoes for the 100km of Namib Desert? The ground is variated. Reinforced shoes, with built-in or adaptable gaiters has given good results Shoes bigger at least one number more than usual, since feet tent to swell due to heat.
- What socks ? Socks with separate toes can prevent blisters
- Are gaiters useful ? Gaiters can help but don’t eliminate the problem .
- How do I dress for the race ? Mornings can be pretty cold, due to early starts;a sweater to wear before start is reccomended. At sunrise temperatures drastically increase so running shorts are fine; beware of sun burns, though ! T-shirt better than rower and hi-protection sunscreenfor pale complexion runners. Hat with veil is highly reccomended.
- I am a RUNNER: are poles useful i? No.
- Is anti-friction cream useful ? yes
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- How do I prevent blisters ? Socks with separate toes can prevent blisters Compeed-like plasters and over-sized shoes can help. NOK -like cream and protection in the exposed areas.
- How do I treat my feet ? It’s mandatory to perfectly wash and clean up the feet from the micro-sand that seep everywhere and creates friction. NOK-like cream can be very useful.
- What do I put in my Emergency Kit ? Wide range antibiothics, anti-dhiarroic, anti-pyrethic, painkillers. A medical h24 assistance is provided. .
- I wear contact lenses, any shortcoming ? Sand can cause some problems. Glasses or frequent change of lenses is reccomended
