FNB Platinum Trail Run

PLATINUM TRAIL RUN ROUTE DESCRIPTION (Final Route Descriptions will be posted soonest)

INTRODUCTION

The 12 & 24 km Platinum Trail Runs take place at a mountainous region that forms part of the Magaliesberg Mountain range west of the Buffelspoort Dam.

While the shorter 12km route runs along the bottom slope of a mountain plateau the longer route crosses over the top.

ROUTE DESCRIPTIONS

8km FNB Platinum Trail Run Route

The 8 km route follows the 12 & 24 km routes over mainly easy terrain up to the turn-around point and swings back to the start and finish area at the Buffelspoort ATKV.
12km FNB Platinum Run Route.

The 12km and 24km running routes will now be common up to where the climb to the plateau starts.

After the start at ATKV the runners will be embarking over undulating terrain along a tree lined jeep track until reaching an orange plantation where the route continues along a narrow farm road skirting the plantation before entering the game section of the farm populated by indigenous trees.

The runners continue on a short section of gravel road that becomes a jeep track crossing the Sterkstroom and then turns into a single track leading to a canal coming from Buffelspoort Dam.

After proceeding for a short distance alongside and then on top of the concrete covered canal, the runners turn right and make their way up through a shady gully that leads through a tunnel underneath the tar road before reaching the 1st water point at the 3.8 km mark.

After the water point the route links up with the 12km X-Terra running route up to where the climb to the plateau starts.

This is where the 12 and 24km routes split. The 12km turns off to the right and follows an old jeep track which joins up with a gravel road.

After a short stretch along the gravel road the route swings back to the start and finish area skirting some orange plantations along the way.

2018 FNB Platinum Trail Run 12km Route and Profile
Distance 12.3km and elevation of 213m

24 km Platinum Trail Run Route

After the split 4.7 km into the start, the route makes a steep 1 km climb on a 4 x 4 jeep track heading up a mountain slope which levels out at the 5.7 km mark.

The runners will enjoy some respite in a gentle downhill section along an undulating jeep track before crossing the wall of the dam.

From there the route continues along a gravel road passed another small dam and then makes a steep climb towards the highest point of the route which is reached at the 9.3 km mark (1513 m altitude).  The total elevation gain up to this point is 570 m.

After a downhill section on gravel the road leads to a single trail under shady trees that links up to an undulating jeep track before making a steep descent leading down towards the Buffelpoort  Dam past the Vodacom/MTN Transmitters near Omaramba.

On the way down the runners will be rewarded with spectacular views over the dam with the Magaliesberg lurking in the background.

The route continues along the shore of the dam and after a steep descent down the steps behind the dam wall the runners will be able to enjoy a relatively easy home run under shady trees along the canal on their way back to the finish at ATKV

2018 FNB Platinum Trail Run Route – 24 Km
Distance: 23,3 km *Actual distance
Elevation: 520 m