Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon Back with a Bang
The 21st Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon will continue to take place from 6 to 16 October 2022 in and surrounding the Augrabies Falls National Park. This 7-day, self-sufficient desert footrace that covers 250km in the Kalahari Augrabies region will start early on 8 October and finish at midday on 14 October, at the Augrabies Falls National Park. KAEM 2022 will be one of few international sporting events held in South Africa after the Covid-19 lockdown period that stretched across more than two years in the country and the first international event for South African National Parks – Arid Region since the pandemic.
KAEM is the second oldest desert footrace of its kind in the world. The event attracts on average between 60 and 80 participants from South Africa, Europe and other countries all over the world. Approximately 25% of runners are repeat participants and of those, 80% and more participate multiple times. The attraction of KAEM lies in its unique, soulful character. The combination of a physical and mental challenge under extreme conditions with the camaraderie among participants and crew, a real family-like atmosphere that KAEM offers, makes it a truly life changing event.
What is exclusive to KAEM is that participants get the opportunity to run through Augrabies Falls National Park where wildlife abounds, adjacent private farmlands, the exceptional quiver tree forest and remote locations right next to the Orange River. In addition, KAEM is held during a full moon week and participants overnight in the veld under the Kalahari night sky.
KAEM 2022 will be a special year for the event for various reasons. Founded in the year 2000 by Estienne Arndt, Nadia Arndt and Simon Kelly, this event is now in its 21st year.
Apart from celebrating it’s 21 years it will also host international participants and will again be an event not to be missed.
