aQuelle Hermannsburg Mudman

The 2011 aQuellé Hermannsburg Mudman is set to be a bumper event. On Saturday, the 4th of February, Hermannsburg will be pulling out all the stops with a fantastic course, comprising of a 750m swim or 4km paddle, 20km mtb ride and a 5km trail run through some of the most beautiful country that will have the heart racing from exhilaration as well as exertion. Seasoned athletes can anticipate the challenges of the course, whilst novices can look forward to a great day in the country. Track designer Pete Crawford is looking at a variety of options, including a short portage for the paddlers, and has some interesting variations and surprises on the course.

The Mudman focuses on "family, fun, community" and the staff, pupils, and parents of Hermannsburg School lay on a fantastic day and, on their 13th Mudman, plan to top all the previous events. aQuellé as title sponsors, have their headquarters a little way down the road at Kranskop and as such, have a special affinity towards the Hermannsburg Mudman.

Hermannsburg is Race #1 in the aQuellé Mudman Series with, Epworth, Cordwalles, and DPHS schools making up the rest of the events in the series. The Mudman is not only for serious athletes, as there is an easier 1/2 distance event, consisting of a 375m swim or 2km paddle, 10km mtb and 2,5km trail run. The Mudman can also be done as a team or as an individual event. The format is the same at each school’s event with the half distance and full distance and even a Mudskippers event for the little ones. George Forder has noted, " the Mudskippers is our most popular and fastest growing event, and whilst others try to copy it, our schools have got it together, giving little ones an introduction to all the various disciplines in a safe, non-threatening, fun environment.”

The aQuellè Mudman Series is the premier KZN off-road adventure, because athletes and non- athletes can plan and train for it at all levels of ability.

Event structure Mudskipper Colours (and suggested age groups) Children can participate in any event.

MEDALS for all finishers

RED race (difficult) Registration closes 10H45
Start 11H00
U 11 on bicycles
2 lengths swim in pool, 2km cycle and 1km run.

GREEN race (moderate) Registration closes 11H00
Start 11H15
U9 and U10 on bicycles
1 length swim in pool, 1km cycle and 500m run.

YELLOW race (easy) Registration closes 11H15
Start 11H30
U7 and U8
2 width swim in pool, 500m cycle and 500m run.

BLUE race (very easy) Registration closes 11H30
Start 11H45
Pre-schoolers on black bikes, tricycles and scooters.
1 width swim in pool, 80m cycle and 250m run.

Mudman Full distance Registration closes 13H30
Race briefing 13H45
Start 14H00
Individuals and teams
750m swim, 20km Mtb and 5km Trail run.

Half distance Registration closes 14H00
Race briefing 14H15
Start 14H30
Individuals and teams
375m swim, 10km Mtb and 2,5km Trail run