To be read in conjunction with my race report if you are thinking about doing the race. Always check the organisers website for up to date information as things may change from one year to the next.
The Richtersveld Transfrontier Wildrun is a well-supported race. There is very little compulsory equipment and no bag checks. Nevertheless there are of course things you need and some that are (in my opinion) strongly recommended for your own safety. Remember that this is an event that takes place in a remote wilderness where logistics are tricky and help may not be immediate should anything go wrong.
Before the race you need to pack all your race gear into a duffel bag provided by the organisation and this will be transported for you from camp to camp. This bag is fairly generous on size so space is not an issue.
Running clothing and equipment:
- Running clothes for European summer temperatures (mid twenties Celsius). You can wash or have a fresh set of clothes for each day.
- Sun screen
- Protective head gear (hat, visor or buff)
- Trail running shoes that you can comfortably run on rocky terrain in
- First aid kit including foil blanket
- Head torch (if you are a walker or slower runner)
- Poles (personal preference)
- Race vest or small backpack
- Water carrying capacity for 2-5 hours depending on your speed – there is one water point on the course each day.
- GPS (it could help to have South African maps with contours if available)
- Running snacks (some are provided at the aid station but this should not be your sole source of energy)
- Camera (optional)
- Finally, unless the race implements spot trackers in the future, you could consider buying or renting your own tracker for the event if you would like this as an extra safety feature. This would be particularly relevant if you deviate from the issued GPS track. (There is a sweeper on the course who sweeps the route provided).
- Sun glasses
Camp Clothing & Equipment:
- Warm jacket for the evening (light down jacket or fleece)
- Clothes to change into after the run (consider long trousers or tights for the evening as it gets chilly)
- Camp shoes (flip flops plus covered shoes to avoid scorpion stings)
- Head Torch or handheld torch (it gets dark at around 6pm)
- Towel and toiletries (showers are available)
- Spare batteries and charger for GPS and head torch
- Phone / iPad etc if you wish (wifi is available for a short while in camp each day via satellite but there is no mobile reception).
- Sleeping bag (Limit rating of around 0 degrees C should keep you warm enough but temperatures can vary greatly. Mat, pillow and tent are supplied).
- Cash for the bar (ZAR 500 is more than enough)
- Blister treatment, prevention and first aid items
- Spare snacks for camp (optional)
My choices (all of which worked very well):
- Raidlight Performance T-shirt
- Raidlight Technical T-shirt
- Raidlight Skort
- Compressport R2 Calf Sleeves
- Dirty Girl Trail Gaiters (I got sand in my shoes but only long day really warrant desert gaiters and much of the time the terrain is too rocky for them to realistically last)
- HOKA ONE ONE Huaka (very good shoe for running in deserts and on rocks although technically a road shoe)
- Light weight flip flops
- Travel Towel
- Injinji Run Mid Weight socks
- White cap
- Raidlight Responsiv 8l race vest
- Raidlight Trail Mitts (love these, great for scrambling and in case of tripping over…)
- Raidlight Classic bottles 600ml x2
- Platypus soft bottle (for spare water – very light)
- Black Diamond Moji Lantern (very handy for the tent)
- Petzl MYO
- myRaceKit Deluxe Footcare & Anti-chafing kit
- Gurney Goo (I had no blisters!)
- Tingerlaat Sun Cream
- Yeti Companyon Cirrus Down Jacket
- Raidlight Fleece
- Raidlight Extreme Waterproof Jacket (in event of rain – used once)
- Raidlight Ultralight Top (in event of rain or wind – used once)
- Polartec long johns for night time
- Haglofs L.I.M +1 Sleeping Bag (was excellent)
- Elastoplast Tape (used this for strapping of my wrist)
- Sea to Summit Drysacks
- Sea to Summit X-Cup (if you want your own cup)
- Ziplock bags of various sizes
- Sziols X-Kross Sunglasses
- Garmin 920XT with the GPS tracks loaded as course files
