With less than a fortnight to go before the 2010 Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival fires into action – please find all the latest on what’s up with this years Salomon Featherbed Trail Run presented by Petzl.Please take the time to familiarise yourself below (kindly ensure you circulate this to anyone who may have piggy backed your email address):

Parking
A reminder that if you are taking part in either of the weekend Rotary Cycle or Forest Marathon events the main venue has moved and for your interest please find a map of all the parking available. Expect the town to be congested and advisable to get to your race earlier than in the past.

This change will not affect your plans for the Salomon Featherbed Trail Run presented by Petzl as our event happens on Tuesday 6 July 2010. However this year we do have three (3) runs so the number of athletes has increased to 600 and will impact with available parking space getting tighter as the day progresses.

Arrive earlier than you have done in the past or if this is your first time don’t leave it to the last minute – you cannot afford to MISS THE BOAT !

Registration
Magnetic South will have a dedicated team manning the REGISTRATION desk inside the Featherbed Ferry Terminus @ Cruise Cafe and it is important that you register as follows -

• AM or Morning Run = Registration opens at 05h30 to 07h15 with your Ferry departing at 07h30.
• PM or Afternoon Run = Registration opens at 10h30 to 12h15 with your Ferry departing at 12h30
• Night Run = Registration opens at 15h30 to 17h00 with your Ferry departing at 17h15

PLEASE NOTE - You will not be able to register for your event outside of the process stipulated above eg. If you are doing the PM Run you will only be able to register before your specific run and not before the AM Run, or if you are doing the Night Run you can only register in the late afternoon and not before the AM or PM Run etc.

Every athlete will be allocated a Sponsors Bib (BLUE for Coelacanth / RED for Seahorse) and Timing Wrist Band on completion of signing the event indemnity form.

Spectator Boat
The Featherbed Company has made available either the John Benn or Paddle Cruiser vessels (dependant on demand) – for any spectators wishing to take in the action from the vantage of the water. The Spectator Boat will leave 15 mins before the departure of the athletes in order for you to enjoy watching your athelet(s) make their way to the remote start. The allocated vessel will leave from the same venue and a Featherbed Company Spectator Boat Help Desk established to assist you accordingly.

The Spectator boat will cruise to The Knysna Heads and allow you the chance to watch the runners from the water as they make their way through the Reserve. IT WILL NOT DOCK at Featherbed as this will cause both congestion and delay the critical starting times.

A fully stocked cash bar is available on the boat and on your return to the Featherbed Ferry Terminus @ Cruise Cafe you will be able to enjoy your meal together with your participating athlete(s).

Cost for Cruise (aprox 45 – 60 mins) and meal (see our website for details of menu offered) is R 130.00 per person. This value for money option cannot be matched anywhere else or at any other time other than the Salomon Featherbed Trail Run presented by Petzl.

You can book these Ferry Specator Trips on the same system as the online entries for the race: www.magneticsouth.net

The Ferries
The “Spirit Of Knysna” carries 120 pax and has been allocated to the Coelacanth (BLUE Bibs) athletes.

“Three Legs” carries 80 pax and will carry the Seahorse (RED Bibs) athletes.

Each boat will be marked and please ensure you board the correct boat as your specific race briefing will be done as you travel across to the Featherbed Nature Reserve.

It may be chilly on the water so we advise you stay warm and a numbered plastic bag will be given to you at registration in which to pack your warm kit and then left on the boat for collection on your arrival back at the finish line.

A bottle of Pick n Pay Energy 4U will be made available for you on the boat to take with you on the run. We recommend you carry your own hydration pack and energy bars, GU, etc.
These are available for sale from Earth Scout, Shop 16, The Knysna Waterfront tel 044 – 3827140.

There will be NO water points along the route.

The Route
The upgraded 2010 route promises to give you both a balanced and spectacular traverse of the Western Head. Please ensure you abide by the instructions of the Magnetic South Field Team who will ensure your safe passage and enjoyment of the experience. There are three crossings on tarred roads which will have traffic involved – specific care must be taken and all other natural hazards will be advised in the race briefing or managed by the field team.

Due to safety constraints NO OVERTAKING will be allowed on the 3 x railway bridges over the Knysna Estuary and the natural Natures Arch bridge on the reserve.

All specific points of interest will be named and marked along the route.

The Finish
Crossing the finish line please ensure you enter the timing chute in your finishing order and your wrist band must be scanned to process a result.

A complimentary Appletiser or Castle Lite drink will be given to each athlete on return of your race bib and you are free to then enjoy your Cruise Cafe meal (Included in your entry fee) and support the cash bar and facilities thereafter.

Prize Giving
Fantastic product prizes are on offer from Salomon & Petzl and each run has its own share of lucky dip opportunities including vouchers from The Featherbed Company and the chance to win a stunning weekend away compliments of the Legacy Hotel Group.

Make sure you are there to be a part of it and we encourage those who have participated earlier in the day to return to the Cruise Cafe for the evening festivities.

SWC Semi Final
To ensure all our soccer fans have been taken care of – 3 x big screen TV’s have been introduced and on completion of the final evenings presentations join in with all the vibe of the Cape Town Semi Final.

Waiting List
For those desperate to try and enter any of the events that are SOLD OUT we have opened a waiting list however you will need to be at the Registration for the particular Run you wish to enter and can either email us in advance with your details or add them on the day with our staff member handling this. The list was opened today 22/6/2010 !
Names will then be called (first come first served) aprox 15 mins before the ferries leave if there are any places available.
Late entry R 250.00 for the Coelacanth and R 230.00 for the Seahorse.
On Line Entries will close midnight Thursday 1 July and thereafter you can only enter at Earth Scout in The Knysna Quays.

Very limited entries are left so get your buddies in on what has become the BEST NEW CULT event of the Oyster Festival. ENTER NOW you won’t be sorry !

The Magnetic South Team
www.magneticsouth.net
info@magneticsouth.net
044-382 2932