Collegians' Harriers

The Umngeni-Uthukela Water Marathon

Our next event will be held on 10 March 2024.

The Umngeni-Uthukela Water (UUW) Marathon takes place in March every year during National Water Week and is once again going to be held at the Midmar Dam resort near Howick.

The Dam is situated in the picturesque KZN Midlands on the “Old Main Road” (R103) between Jo’Burg and Durban, approximately 4 km off the N3 Freeway, being about 4-hours drive from Jo’Burg and about a 1.5-hour drive from Durban.

The total number of participants will be limited to 1600.
 

Event distances, entry fees, start time and time limits:

o 42.2 km - R390 - 5:30 am start - time limit 5 hours 30 minutes

  (All marathon runners will be required to exit the course at 11h00am)

o 21.1 km – R280 - 5:30 am start - time limit 3 hours 15 minutes

o 10 km - R230 - 5:45 am start - time limit 2 hours 30 minutes

(Including a walkers category for the 10km event)

Please note: that the entry fee includes the gate fee to enter the Midmar Dam resort.

Temporary Licences:

o 42.2 km – Permanent ASA licence required. No temporary licence is available.
o 21.1 km – R80
o 10 km –    R50

Route Description and Maps:

The 10 km route is entirely with the Midmar Dam resort, this year we will also have a walkers category in our 10km event. 4 km of the 21.1 and 42.2 km routes are on a public road and the balance is in the resort.

Please note, that the road surfaces within the resort are uneven and are not suitable for wheelchair athletes.

UUW 10 km route

UUW 21.1 km route

UUW 42.1 km route

Midmar Dam Aerial view

Umngeni-Uthukela Water Marathon race flyer

2.) Manual entries at any Pick n Pay or Boxer stores

Entries close at midnight on 3 March 2024 or once the 1600 entry limit is reached.

Please ensure that your race pack is collected on 9 March between 2 and 5 pm at Collegians Club, 381 Boshoff Street, Pietermaritzburg or on 10 March between 4:00 and 5:15 am at the start at Midmar Dam.

Directions to Midmar Dam:

(GPS co-ordinates: -29.48882 30.19397)

• From Durban. Take Exit 103 ( Howick / Midmar) approximately 20 km beyond Pietermaritzburg. Turn Left at the top of the off-ramp, and then right after about 100 metres. Proceed down the R103 for about 1 km and across the Umgeni River ( you will see the Dam Wall on your Left ). Carry on for about 1 km. The Main Entrance to the Resort is on your left-hand side. The event takes place at the water’s edge, immediately beyond the Main Reception Centre.

• From Johannesburg. Take Exit 107 (Howick North / Tweedie) approximately 40 km after the Mooi River Toll Plaza. Turn Right at the top of the off-ramp, and cross the freeway. Proceed for about 1 km (you will go under an old arched railway bridge). Carry on for about another 1 km. At the T-junction Turn Left onto the R103. After about another 1 km you will pass the Fern Hill Hotel on your left. The Main Entrance to the Resort is on your Right-hand side, about 500 metres beyond the Fern Hill Hotel. The event takes place at the water’s edge, immediately beyond the Main Reception Centre.

More than just a memorable running experience:

• Set at the tranquil Midmar Dam Resort and Nature Reserve, in the heart of the picturesque KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, the Umngeni-Uthukela Water Marathon offers you so much more than just an unforgettable running experience.

• Midmar Dam Resort has four camping grounds, for caravans and tents, with powered and non-powered sites, as well as several rustic cabins and chalets, all near the start/finish area. There are also numerous family Hotels and Bed ‘n Breakfasts on the Midlands Meander, all close to the resort.

• Midmar Dam Resort also offers yachting, skiing, swimming, fishing and board-sailing. Take a slow drive through the well-stocked Game Reserve or along the Midlands Meander to Nottingham Road and then round off the day with a Sunset Cruise.

Accommodation
• Midmar Resort ( 033-330 2067/8 )
• KZN Wildlife ( 033-845 1000 ) bookings@kznwildlife.com
o Chalets – Munro Bay – 500m from the Start
o Rustic Cabins – Munro Bay – 300m from the Start
o Campsites – Munro Bay – 200m from the Start
o Campsites – Morgenzon – 4km from the Start
o Campsites – Duku Duku – 5km from the Start
• Fern Hill Hotel ( 033 330 5071 ) fernhill@futurenet.co.za o 3-Star + AA Highly recommended – 1km from the Start (outside Resort)
• Msinsi Resorts and Game Reserves - to book online click here.

Race Organisers' contact details:

Collegians' Harriers :

Les Burnard: Cell: 082 750 0822 e-mail: collegians.harriers@gmail.com

Werner Jonas: Cell: 083 376 7334 e-mail: wernerjonas1@outlook.com

Ingo Shroder: Cell:  079 218 6451 e-mail: caltex.burleigh@gmail.com

Howick Athletic Club :

Mike Edgcumbe: Cell 076 5379 124: e-mail comradesrunner@hotmail.com