RELAY WALKERS & RUNNERS ROUTE  - 2023

NB - ALL BLUE CROSS ROADS REQUIRE A HIGH CLEARANCE 4X4 VEHICLE, and on-the go navigational equipment in the form of a hand-held GPS and/or mobile devices loaded with the GAIA App and the respective route for the discipline. PLEASE SEE THE  DOWNLOADS PAGE FOR GAIA GPS  INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

Day Zero (D0) - 30 July 23: 28.8k to Mahenye Fly Camp 

• REACH CHILO TURN OFF BY JACK QUENTIN BRIDGE NO LATER THAN 1100 HRS ON 30 JUL 23.

• Start with a 28.8k backtrack to Mahenye Start Point. (See .gpx and .kml files on Downloads page').

• Load 'JQ Br to D0 SPt 13.4k' on navaids & navigate 13.4k from Chilo T/Off on main road  to 'RW22 D0 SPt'.

• Regroup, load 'RW22 D0 28.8k' & relay walk/run southwards using leapfrog technique (see 'FAQ' 'Rules' on website) and recommended splits of 1.53k each as measured on navaids.

• 18.3k from start at Jamanda North boom regroup into 2 groups, each with vehicle.

• Walk/run next 9.2k shadowed by vehicle due to possible Elephant/Buffalo encounters. 767m splits recommended.

• At Jamanda South boom appoint 1 driver for each vehicle and remainder walk/run last 1.3k to Mahenye Start Point and BX funded Mahenye Fly Camp.

• Park vehicles on road as directed by BX marshalls. 

• Set up tents in linear format against East bank in Save riverbed as directed by BX marshalls.

• Shower and Toilet enclosures provided and limited water available.

• Heat own water for bucket bathing.

• Photoshoot and sundowners in riverbed, 168m AMSL.

 

D1 - 31 July 23 : 84.1k to Musikavanhu School Bushcamp (MSBC)

• Load 'RW22 D1 Tfr 28.8k' on navaids and follow cyan track, turning right at Muhlambi BC. Allow 75 mins.

• Regroup at 'RW22 D1 SPt 28.8k' .

• Load 'RW22 D1 84.1k' & relay walk/rung/leapfrog using splits of 4 x 3.5k each.

• Road conditions vary from poor to very rough and stony.

• Navigate to BX-funded Musikavanhu School Bushcamp.

• Logistical arrangements as for Mahenye Fly Camp.

• For Covid reasons camp and cook in team bubbles as directed by Camp Manager.

• Please bring any unwanted sports equipment or children's books to donate to the Musikavanhu Primary School. 

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D2 - 1 Aug 23: 59.8k to Fiddlers on the Green (FOTG) 

• Load 'RW22 D2 59.8k' & relay walk/run/leapfrog using splits of 3.32k each.

• Navigate to Fiddlers-on-the-Green (FOTG) (970m ASL) on Makandi Estate.

• Roads very rough, stony and slow going throughout with low range work required of back up vehicles.

• Sign in to Makandi Estate and strictly observe Covid protocols.

• Carefully follow blue trail through orchards.

• Camping permitted anywhere around  clubhouse but remain in Team Bubbles throughout.

• See Overnight Stops page and contact Fiddlers management direct to book camping and meals (supper and breakfast) offered by Chipinge ladies. Budget US$20 pp.

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D3 - 2 Aug 23: 76.8k to Chimanimani 

• Load 'RW22 D3 76.8k' & 'RW22 D3 Bk Up 12.5k'.

• Relay walk/runpfrogging following the red track using 5.3k each for first split & 3 x 3.8k thereafter.

• Vehicles follow cyan track via Chipinge.

• Roads very poor & slow going for first 31k to Rusitu rd. Thereafter mix of reasonable gravel and tar.

• Uplift at Charter Sawmill (Chimanimani). Load 'RW22 D3 Tfr 10.9k' & transfer to overnight stop in Chimanimani.

• Accommodation in Chimanimani by own arrangements.

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D4 - 3 Aug 23: 86.6k to Whitewaters Bushcamp (WWBC)

• Load 'RW22 D4 86.6k' & relay run/walk/leapfrog following magenta track using 4 x 3.6k splits each.

• Navigate to BX-funded Whitewaters Bushcamp (WWBC) via iconic Cashel Scenic Road. 

• Roads vary from rough and stony on Cashel Scenic Road & a mix of rough gravel, reasonable dirt and tar.

• Logistical arrangements at WWBC as for Musikavanhu Bushcamp.

• Covid compliance rules apply. 

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D5 - 4 Aug 23: 72.3k to RW22 D5 Uplift 408.4k at Zimunya.

• Load 'RW22 D5 72.3k' and run/walk/leapfrog using splits of 4 x 3k each.

• Navigate to RW22 Uplift 408.4k opposite Zimunya Township.

• Load 'RW22 D5 Tfr 22.8k' & transfer by vehicle to Mutare & Hillside Golf Club (HGC)

• Road conditions generally reasonable with mix of good, sandy dirt, tar and gravel.   

• Own arrangements in Mutare, but HGC offers camping & good, reasonably priced meal. Order early.

• See Overnight Stops page. 

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D6 - 6 Aug 22: 60.1k to Bonda Rd Uplift: 468.5k  

• Load 'RW22 D6 Tfr(1) 23.1k' & navigate to 'RW22 D6 SPt 408.4k' on Koodoosberg rd.

• Load 'RW22 D6 60.1k' and run/walk/leapfrog using 3 x 3.34k splits to uplift on Bonda access road, 'RW22 D6 Uplift 468.5k'

• Road conditions generally reasonable but some steep and stony sections may require low range work.

• Load 'RW22 D6 Tfr(2) 22.3k', embus and navigate to Juliasdale and overnight accommodation (own arrangements)

 

D7 - 6 Aug 23: 28.6k to Nyangani Car Park 497.1k 

• From overnight accommodation, drive to start of Placefell Road 'RW22 D7 Spt 468.5' .

• Load 'RW22 D7 28.6k' & run/walk/leapfrog 18.6k using 2 x 1.55k splits to 'RW22 Gp SPt 487.1k'.

• Regroup at Circular Drive T/Off. Nominate drivers to take vehicles to Car Park & remainder walk to Finish.

• Road conditions are generally rough gravel and dirt.

• Celebrate your achievement thus far and enjoy some Blue Cross hospitality. 

• Bring out your camp chairs & cooler boxes and soak up the festive atmosphere, observing Covid protocols of course!

• Overnight stop as before by own arrangements.

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D8 - 7 Aug 23: 2.9k to Nyangani Mt Summit and Finish 

• Drive to Nyangani Car Park to arrive no later than 0800 hrs. Allow 75 mins from Nat Parks office.

• Load 'All Summit Day 2.9k '. Use navaids in case of white-out.

• Assess personal climbing strength & opt for slow, medium or fast climbing group.

• Sign large red book for full-distance participants at the summit. Brown book for back up and supporters.

• Limit Summit dwell time to quick photo shoot only & then descend.

• Head straight for Rhodes Hall for Spirit of the Blue Cross Celebratory Lunch and Awards Ceremony commencing at 1300 hours.

• Half Portuguese Chicken and Chips to be served. Cash bar available but bring cooler boxes for any special tipple.

• Further info closer the time.