The Race

The Otter 2011

For a first time in 2011 the OTTER will be presented in 2 independent Runs with different Cut-Off Times:

29./30th of Sept: The OTTER RUN
will cater for the severe athletes and will have a 8 hours Cut-Off Time

1st/2nd of October: The OTTER RAMBLE
for all those that want to conquer the OTTER in 1 day. (11 hour cut-off Time)

The Otter Ramble will be run in exactly the same format as the first two Otter Runs were conducted in 2009 and 2010 with the established 11 hour cut-off. The Otter Run, which terminates the day before the Otter Ramble, differs from the Ramble in that it has a very ambitious 8 hour cut-off. The two events were separated to cater for the differing priorities and proficiencies of participants.

Various safety cut-offs are effected at strategic points along the route and participants have to make sure they pass these points ahead of the cut-off times to remain on the course.

The Medals

The Otter Ramble medals will be presented with ribbons in two colours; Red for the sub 8 hour finishers and White for those who finish the trail in Sub 11 hours.

Only 57% of the 2010 Otter Run participants, an elite group in itself, finished the course in less than 8 hours and relative to the race record time of 04:48:35, the new 8 hour cut off will make the Otter Run medal one of the hardest running medals to attain.

We are also introducing the Black Ribbon Medal for any runner who does a sub 4 hour 30 minute run. Whether or not such a time is possible remains to be seen but, just in case, we’ve got that base covered:

Black Ribbon: SUB 4 h 30min

Purple Ribbon: SUB 5 hours

Blue Ribbon: SUB 6 hours

Green Ribbon: SUB 7 hours

Orange Ribbon: SUB 8 hours

The Otter Race medals will only be awarded to those trail runners who complete The Otter in under the official race cut off time.

The Prologue

The prologue Trail Run will be held the day before the OTTER after registration. The prologue is a short (approx. 5 km) circular trail – featuring similar conditions as the Otter itself – and can be run at any time during the day of registration. Athletes will be seeded for The Otter based on the results of the prologue with race start times on The OTTER being staggered accordingly and the higher seeded participants starting first.

What is the nature and difficulty of the Otter Run?

Beside the different Cut-Off times, both races cover the exact same distance of the famous OTTER Trail. The OTTER is an exceptional endurance challenge and is regarded as one of the most gruelling marathon distance Trail Runs on the planet. It is technical, sustained and includes over 2500 meters of ascent. Certain sections require to use your hands and there is even an infamous section that involves a 50 meter swim. Most participants complete the course in a time comparable to double their best road marathon time.

The trail is mostly single track and the surface of the track varies between jagged sections with sharp and slippery rocks, boulder fields, pebble beach’s, open forest trails with projecting roots and overhanging branches, steep stepped assents and descents, sandy beaches and open cliff top trails. Running pace and safety on the trail can be greatly affected by inclement weather.