Otter Entry Process

The Otter Grail of Trail has a maximum capacity of 600 entries for two events. This is divided between the Otter Challenge and the Otter Race, with each event having a capacity for 300 participants respectively.

Entries open in the following three phases and date order:

PHASE 1

CLOSED

Entries are limited to the following three groups only:

1. 2022 Otter entrants only
Otter package

2. Corporate entries only

Corporate package

3. Premium entries only

Premium package

Opens: 1 November 2022
10:00AM

PHASE 2

Public entries open

Entries open to all on a first come first serve basis
CLOSED

Opens: 8 November 2022
10:00AM

PHASE 3

Waiting list

If you are not successful in getting an entry in phase 1 or 2, enter the waiting list

Opens: 9 November 2022 - 25 August 2023

OPEN

Otter / Race 
(9 hour cut-off)
R5 995

CLOSED

Otter / Challenge 
(11 Hour cut-off)
R5 995

CLOSED

PHASE 1

2022 Otter Entrant - Priority Entry

Entry package includes:

  1. Otter African Trail Run including SAN Parks permit and Conservation fees
  2. Otter prologue
  3. Shuttle to the start
  4. Kauai Munchie Point at the halfway mark
  5. Finish line buffet lunch
  6. Award ceremony and dinner
  7. Event garment or item, and goodie bag
  8. Otter medal

Premium Entry
Otter - Race
R8 995

CLOSED

Premium Entry
Otter - Challenge
R8 995

CLOSED

PHASE 1

Otter Premium Entry

Includes the Otter Entry benefits plus the following:

  1. Priority registration and prologue
  2. Reserved seat at briefing and prize giving ceremony
  3. Race shirt personalised with race number
  4. Premium registration bag
  5. Complimentary massage
  6. Complimentary drink at registration and on race day

Corporate Entry
Otter - Race
R52 500*

CLOSED

Corporate Entry
Otter - Challenge
R52 500*

CLOSED

PHASE 1

Otter Corporate Entry

*Package of 5 entries, each including the Otter Entry benefits plus the following:

  1. Entries are each eligible for 2 free changes (or fully transferable - but not deferrable) up until 1 month prior to the event
  2. Priority Registration and Prologue (no queues)
  3. Reserved seats at Briefing and Prize giving
  4. Reserved table at Awards dinner
  5. Official Race Shirt with personalised numbers
  6. Team/Company Logos on all shirts, caps
  7. Otter Premium Goodie Bag
  8. Otter Peak Cap
  9. Complimentary massage
  10. Complimentary drink at registration
  11. Private walk on the trail with selected elite athletes on Prologue day

Otter / Race 
(9 hour cut-off)
R5 995
Opens 8 Nov

CLOSED

Otter / Challenge 
(11 Hour cut-off)
R5 995
Opens 8 Nov

CLOSED

PHASE 2

2023 Otter Entry

Entry package includes:

  1. Otter African Trail Run including SAN Parks permit and Conservation fees
  2. Otter prologue
  3. Shuttle to the start
  4. Kauai Munchie Point at the halfway mark
  5. Finish line buffet lunch
  6. Award ceremony and dinner
  7. Event garment or item, and goodie bag
  8. Otter medal

Otter Charity Donations

Upon entry you may select to donate to our Otter Supported Charities or towards an Angel entry.

ANGEL ENTRY FUND DONATION

It is no secret that much of Africa’s immense sporting potential is trapped by circumstances. Participating in the gala events remains beyond the means of some of our countries most deserving trail runners. Enabling the dream of a worthy athlete of participating in the Grail of Trail can one of the most rewarding aspect to one’s own Otter Run journey. The Angel Entry Fund Donation makes it possible. 

Donations of any amount are hugely appreciated. Available from as little as R 100 up to the generosity of a full entry + accommodation and meals at R 7400

The following benefits for the underprivileged athlete:

  1. All the standard race package benefits included
  2. All meals included (pre-race dinner, pre-race breakfast box, finish line after-race lunch, awards dinner.
  3. The donated entry includes basic tented accommodation (athlete to please bring your own sleeping bag)

Note that the organizers allocate the donated entry associated with the Angel Entry at their discretion to a list of nominees.

OTTER SUPPORTED CHARITIES DONATION

Wilderness Conservation, Sustainability and inclusivity are integral to The African Otter trail Runs core ethos. To this end the Otter supports the critical work the Natures Valley Trust does in constructively engaging all stake holders in the area. We also support upliftment projects in the Covie Community.



  •  
OPEN

PHASE 3

Waiting list

What exactly is the Priority List?

The priority lists for the Otter African Trail Run is for persons wishing to increase their chances of obtaining an entry for these events by registering on these lists and thereby being afforded the opportunity to enter before online entries open to the public but does not guarantee obtaining an entry. Registration on the Priority List costs R250 which will be donated to the event nominated charity. Priority List entries are done online and are treated on a first-come basis. Persons registered on the Priority List that are not successful in obtaining an online entry will automatically be transferred onto the waiting list. 

How it works

If you are unsuccessful in getting an Otter entry, register for free on the waiting list.

Is it worth being on the waiting list?
Entrants pull out due to injuries (or other reasons) in the months leading up to the events. Entries then become available to all on the waiting list.

I am on the waiting list; what then?
When new entries become available, everyone on the waiting list will be invited by email to purchase an entry for the Otter African Trail Run. This gives everyone a fair chance to get an Otter entry.

Can I stay on the waiting list?
Entrants still unsuccessful in buying an Otter entry on the open days will be kept on the waiting list for future openings.

Refund & Cancellation Policy

Event Cancellation

In the event of inclement weather, economic, or any other external forces that are out of control of the race organisers, the organisers may decide to change the course to a safer alternative course or cancel the event entirely. Such a decision will only be made in the interest of participant safety. If the event is cancelled, no refunds will be possible.

As most of the expenses incurred in staging this event are committed to in advance, refunds are only possible well in advance or when a replacement can be found. The following rules apply:

  • Full payment is required on entry
  • 100% refund policy for as long as a substitute athlete can be found through the waiting list
  • No refunds or waiting list substitutions from 25 August 2023
  • Deferrals are not permitted
  • Accommodations, Mealtickets, and Bloukrans Hike are eligible for the same % refunds as above. Race shirts however are only eligible until the 15 July 2023. You can also choose to keep or reallocate these additions to another athlete. Any additional tickets are refundable on the same basis

 

Substitutions

The Otter African Trail events do not permit athletes to substitute an entry on their own. Entries will have to be returned to the organisers and refunded according to the refund policy*. Returned entries will only be made available to athletes on the waiting list.

*PREMIUM ENTRIES are under the general Refunds & Cancellation Policy, but allow for only 1 substitution to another athlete on their own.

**CORPORATE PACKAGE all 5 entries are each eligible for 2 free changes (or fully transferable - but not deferrable) up until 1 month prior to the event