THE CEDER 2024
Fri Oct 4, 18:00 - Sun Oct 6, 16:00
Cederberg Oasis
ABOUT
Welcome to The Ceder - where the worlds of gravel racing and trail running meet. Our race weekend offers a variety of challenges, including 245km, 140km, and 30km gravel races, as well as a 22km trail run & 5km Fun Run. All races start and finish at the iconic Cederberg Oasis, home to the iconic smiley face.
In past years, participants have experienced everything from picturesque snow in 2021 to clear conditions in 2022. 2023 brought near-perfect weather for both cycling and running routes. As we look forward to our new race date on 4-6 October 2024, we wonder what Mother Nature has in store for us this time.
Located just three hours from Cape Town, The Ceder takes participants deep into the heart of the Cederberg, a region renowned for its diverse flora, fauna, and wildlife. This area is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom and is known for its cultivation of the world-famous rooibos tea.
Building on the success of previous years, the 2024 event offers three cycle route options and two trail running events. Additionally, we host a Ceder Social Weekend prior to the race weekend, where participants can explore the terrain, familiarize themselves with the race routes, and connect with fellow adventure enthusiasts.
Join us for The Ceder Race Weekend from 4th to 6th October, featuring events tailored to all levels of participants, including CEDER245, CEDER140, CEDER30, CEDER22RUN, and CEDERfunRUN.
THE CEDER SOCIAL WEEKEND | 7 - 9 June 2024 | FREE
THE CEDER RACE WEEKEND | 4 - 6 October 2024 | TICKETED EVENTS
THE CEDER SOCIAL WEEKEND | 7 - 9 JUNE | FREE
This weekend allows for a gentle introduction into what The Ceder, and the Cederberg, has to offer.
A chance for prospective entrants (along with their families and friends) to scout out some of the race routes, meet fellow participants and generally familiarise themselves with the area – with respect to accommodation options, weather environment and road conditions.
The intention of this weekend is to lower the perceived barrier to entry that exists in cycling and trail running. Feedback from people starting the sports say it can be intimidating. We want to diminish this. The Ceder Social Weekend offers the perfect, relaxed opportunity to join along – with zero pressure or intimidation.
There are organised rides and runs over the weekend. However, it’s not mandatory to join. We provide guidance and route options for all levels of experience.
THE CEDER RACE WEEKEND | 4 - 6 OCTOBER | TICKETED EVENTS
Starting and finishing at the iconic Cederberg Oasis (Home of the Smiley Face), racing gets underway early on Saturday (cycle) and Sunday (run).
Five events cater for beginners to the experienced. Each with unique challenges, joys and goals.
THE CEDER CYCLE EVENTS
ceder245
The Ceder original; a bike-bending, resolve-testing stretch of gritty gravel. The spellbinding adventure through other-worldly rock formations and fynbos floral kingdoms covers mountain passes, two towns, and the sandbanks of Clanwilliam Dam through mostly gravel roads.
When: Saturday 5 October 2024
Start Time: 04h00am
Distance: 245km
Elevation Gain: 3700m
Aid Stations: 4
Cut-Off: 22h00
ceder140
The Ceder140 delivers an exhilarating course that has white-knuckle descents, breathtaking views, and character-building climbs that only the Cederberg can offer. Gravel racing at its best.
When: Saturday 5 October 2024
Start Time: 06h00am
Distance: 142.7km
Elevation Gain: 2200m
Aid Stations: 4
Cut-off: 22h00
ceder30
The Ceder’s social event; riders undertaking the CEDER30 can start when they like, with the course designed to offer picturesque scenery.
When: Saturday 5 October 2024
Distance: 30km
Elevation Gain: 550m
Aid Stations: 1
The CEDER30 is the perfect option for social riders and new racers looking to soak up the scenes. The course takes riders through Kromrivier Park, the heart of the Cederberg and the oldest tourist destination in the mountainscape. Riders will find themselves surrounded by fynbos and the iconic majestic orange rock formations throughout the course. A delightful little restaurant awaits riders at the Kromrivier Cederberg Park, worth both the stop and the sights. After leaving Kromrivier, riders enter proper mountain biking territory with a short, technical climb. Take care on the descent on the way back; while it has been recently redone, it requires concentration. Take photos and have fun!
THE CEDER TRAIL RUN EVENTS
ceder22
A radical run featuring a world of different biomes, brutal but beautiful with technical stretches on the mountain folds behind Cederberg Oasis.
When: Sunday 6 October 2024
Start Time: 07h00am
Distance: 22km
Elevation Gain: 1200m
Aid Stations: 1
Cut-Off: 16h00 (12h00 Cut-off at Nuwerust Waterpoint)
THE CEDERFUNRUN | FREE EVENT
A short and sharp 5km shakeout the day before the main event, or run on its own to experience the network of trails around Cederberg Oasis. With no official start time, runners can choose when to get going on Saturday.
Distance: 5km
Elevation Gain: 100m
Date: 5 - 6 October 2024
Start time: Runners can start at own time throughout the day
Cut-off: Sunday 14:00pm
GENERAL INFO
CEDER245
- LOCATION Cederberg Oasis
- DISTANCE 245km
- ELEVATION 3700m
- WHEN Saturday 5 October 2024
- START TIME 04h00
- CUT-OFF TIME 22h00
- WATERPOINTS 4 including a Dropbox Zone
- All bicycles are welcome, except e-bikes
CEDER140
- LOCATION Cederberg Oasis
- DISTANCE 142.7km
- ELEVATION 2200m
- WHEN Saturday 5 October 2024
- START TIME 06h00
- CUT-OFF TIME 22h00
- WATERPOINTS 4
- All bicycles are welcome, except e-bike
Both CEDER245 & CEDER140 are sanctioned races with Cycling South Africa. The CEDER140 is the official Western Cape Gravel Championship 2024. Riders will need to provide their annual CSA licenses or purchase a day license online for both routes.
CEDER30
- LOCATION Cederberg Oasis
- DISTANCE 29km
- ELEVATION 550m
- WHEN Saturday 5 October 2024
- START TIME 06h30 onwards
- CUT-OFF TIME 19h00
- WATERPOINTS 1 (Kromrivier Restaurant)
- All bicycles are welcome (MTB recommended), except e-bikes
- Riders to also collect race bags from any registration.
CEDER22RUN
- LOCATION Cederberg Oasis
- DISTANCE 22km
- ELEVATION 1200m
- WHEN Sunday 6 October 2024
- START TIME 07h00
- CUT-OFF TIME 16h00 (12h00 at Nuwerust Waterpoint)
- WATERPOINTS 1 (Kromrivier Restaurant)
- The race takes place on extremely rugged terrain. Running on such trails comes with risks that participants undertake and accept upon entering the event.
THE CEDERFUNRUN
- LOCATION Cederberg Oasis
- DISTANCE 5km
- ELEVATION 0m
- WHEN Saturday 5 October 2024
- START TIME No official start time; runners start when they please
- CUT-OFF TIME 16h00 (12h00 at Nuwerust Waterpoint)
- WATERPOINTS 1 (Kromrivier Restaurant)
- Can be run on its own to experience the network of trails around Cederberg Oasis and Nuwerust.
- No entry needed / free.
THE CEDER PRIZE MONEY
CEDER245
- 1st R15,000
- 2nd R7,500
- 3rd R3,500
CEDER140
- 1st R10,000
- 2nd R5,000
- 3rd R2,500
CEDER22RUN
- 1st R7,500
- 2nd R3,500
- 3rd R1,500
COMPULSORY KIT & GEAR
Visit www.theceder.com to view all mandatory kit and gear for all races.
SUPPORT
We encourage all participants to treat The Ceder as a self-supported race/ride/run. It is imperative to have sufficient water and nutrition on the bike and trail at all times. There will be minimal route markings on each course, please ensure you have the correct GPX loaded before entering the Cederberg (there is very limited service in the mountain range).
Participants will be in remote areas with little to no cell service where help is not always nearby for extended periods and need to be prepared accordingly in cases of emergency.
SAFETY
The safety and well-being of our runners and riders are a priority, there will be a medical support vehicle on route and ambulance services in case of emergencies. Please be sure to save the necessary emergency contact numbers provided via race day info email and at registration. Please note any emergency race support or assistance will be withdrawn at 22:00 Saturday 5 October and 4pm on Sunday 6 October.
ENVIRONMENT
The Cederberg is a Wilderness region and we have a strong “leave no trace policy”.
- Leave no trace and take no souvenirs.
- Race participants are responsible for anything they discard, which goes into a bin. Any littering on the course is strictly prohibited.
- Please respect and be aware of other road users, especially on descents and blind corners. Roads are NOT closed.
- Be respectful of animals and the habitat; the mountain range is wild and home to wildlife.
- Do not take shortcuts, especially on the trail.
AID STATIONS
Participants may take as much food and beverage as needed from each Aid Station. You will not be allowed to leave any bottles, cans or cups in these areas (with exception to the Dropbox Zone on the CEDER245 route); please make sure you are sufficiently prepared to carry enough nutrition.
ENTRIES
- Entries are only available online via Quicket. (Entries close Tuesday 24 September 20:00)
- You may not sell or gift your entry.
- Substitutions will be charged an additional R250, no substitutions after Monday 2 September.
- There will be no refunds made available.
- Entries will not be transferred to following year.
- Should the event be cancelled due to any unforeseen issues, all entries will automatically carry over to the following year.
RACE ENTRY INCLUDES
- Ceder245, Ceder140, Ceder30 and CederRun entrants receive a Race Bag with The Ceder sponsors products and goodies.
- Ceder245 receives Drop Zone facilities.
- The Ceder Musette.
- Race number (excluding CederRun 5km).
- Full medical support on the route; vehicle and ambulance support.
- Commissaires for CEDER245 & CEDER140
- Motorbike Safety Marshals
- Photographers
- Equal prizes for men’s & women’s podiums.
- Finish line beer & boerewors rolls (Vegetarian option available).
REGISTRATION
- Tuesday 1 October 17:00 - Venue TBA
- Friday 4 October 18:00 - Cederberg Oasis Race Village
DNF (DID NOT FINISH) / RETIRING FROM THE RACE
Should you need to drop out of the race, notify a race official immediately. If you leave the course and fail to notify race officials, you will be banned from participating in the future (unless assisted from the course by the race medic). Please report to the race organiser or race officials when finished. Contacts will be provided on entry and at registration.
THE FINE PRINT
Any person participating in The Ceder Event does so at their own risk. The Ceder, organiser/s, volunteers, staff, sponsors, and Cederberg Oasis take no responsibility for any loss, damage, injuries or deaths.
The Ceder recommends that you arrange your own personal accident insurance, ambulance cover and income protection insurance before participating in the Event to cover any unforeseen personal costs you may incur due to ambulance trips, medical expenses or time off work due to injuries sustained whilst participating in the Event. As a participant of The Ceder, you are responsible for yourself and should know the rules and regulations of the race.
In entering any of The Ceder events, participants acknowledge and agree to all of the above.
ACCOMMODATION
- Accommodation at Cederberg Oasis can be booked through the Quicket Entry portal when entering, priority is given to participants for logistical convenience.
- Pre-setup Tents will also be available from April through Quicket
- Other surrounding accommodation options:
OTHER EVENT WEEKEND INFO
- Cederberg Oasis offers braai facilities and wood is for sale on the premises.
- Oasis restaurant: Please visit their website for the menu, kitchen closes at 9pm. (There are no vegan options available.)
- Cash bar at Oasis
- Closest shop and fuel stations: Op-die-berg 65km. (The petrol station is closed on Sundays.)
- No pets allowed.
- No 4x4 is needed to reach Cederberg Oasis, although it is recommended due to the condition of gravel roads especially after rains. (We recommend entering the Cederberg from Algeria if you are not travelling with a 4x4.)
ACCOMMODATION
Even if you're not participating in the race, you can still access accommodation through the same Ceder Event Page on the Quicket Portal.
New for 2024, we're offering pre-setup tents. These options will be available via Quicket from April.
Please note that general camping is not available at Oasis. For more information on existing accommodation options at Oasis, visit www.cederbergoasis.co.za.
PHOTOS
ROUTES
CEDER245
- LOCATION Cederberg Oasis
- DISTANCE 245km
- ELEVATION 3700m
- WHEN Saturday 5 October 2024
- START TIME 04h00
- CUT-OFF TIME 22h00
- WATERPOINTS 4 including a Dropbox Zone
- All bicycles are welcome, except e-bikes
CEDER140
- LOCATION Cederberg Oasis
- DISTANCE 142.7km
- ELEVATION 2200m
- WHEN Saturday 5 October 2024
- START TIME 06h00
- CUT-OFF TIME 22h00
- WATERPOINTS 4
- All bicycles are welcome, except e-bike
Both CEDER245 & CEDER140 are sanctioned races with Cycling South Africa. The CEDER140 is the official Western Cape Gravel Championship 2024. Riders will need to provide their annual CSA licenses or purchase a day license online for both routes.
CEDER30
- LOCATION Cederberg Oasis
- DISTANCE 29km
- ELEVATION 550m
- WHEN Saturday 5 October 2024
- START TIME 06h30 onwards
- CUT-OFF TIME 19h00
- WATERPOINTS 1 (Kromrivier Restaurant)
- All bicycles are welcome (MTB recommended), except e-bikes
- Riders to also collect race bags from any registration.
CEDER22RUN
- LOCATION Cederberg Oasis
- DISTANCE 22km
- ELEVATION 1200m
- WHEN Sunday 6 October 2024
- START TIME 07h00
- CUT-OFF TIME 16h00 (12h00 at Nuwerust Waterpoint)
- WATERPOINTS 1 (Kromrivier Restaurant)
- The race takes place on extremely rugged terrain. Running on such trails comes with risks that participants undertake and accept upon entering the event.
CEDERFUNRUN
- LOCATION Cederberg Oasis
- DISTANCE 5km
- ELEVATION 0m
- WHEN Saturday 5 October 2024
- START TIME No official start time; runners start when they please
- CUT-OFF TIME 16h00 (12h00 at Nuwerust Waterpoint)
- WATERPOINTS 1 (Kromrivier Restaurant)
- Can be run on its own to experience the network of trails around Cederberg Oasis and Nuwerust.
- No entry needed / free.