Cyclists with a "Running" Problem

[Fisan]

Another weekend, another canceled event due to weather (UTCT 35k).

Time to revive the topic about event insurance.

Is it possible to get some sort of personal insurance? I've searched the hub, but couldn't find a definite answer.

Fortunately I reside in the Republic of Cape Town, so it's not like I wasted accommodation and travel fees. But these events aren't cheap - you hardly get races below R1,000 nowadays. And don't forget about the nutrition (for training to the event as well as race day). Also, this not my first cancellation, a I've experienced a lot of these over the past couple of years.

Problem is, most of the event companies cover their tushies well in the T's & C's. Some even make an extra Rand or two through substitution policies and waiting lists. But let's not go there now...

Back to topic, is it possible at all to self insure? Incl. for medial reasons?

 

[reteid]

I have started easy run walk on the trails in Paarl and more spec Paarl mountain. I normally run in Asics novablast 4 on the road , but they are a bit slippery on the loose gravel. Any suggestions to look at a very very much intro shoe? and not breaking the bank if the trail running is perhaps not for me. I wear 2 e wide shoes

[Bro Derek]

On 11/24/2025 at 10:15 AM, Fisan said:

Another weekend, another canceled event due to weather (UTCT 35k).

Time to revive the topic about event insurance.

Is it possible to get some sort of personal insurance? I've searched the hub, but couldn't find a definite answer.

Fortunately I reside in the Republic of Cape Town, so it's not like I wasted accommodation and travel fees. But these events aren't cheap - you hardly get races below R1,000 nowadays. And don't forget about the nutrition (for training to the event as well as race day). Also, this not my first cancellation, a I've experienced a lot of these over the past couple of years.

Problem is, most of the event companies cover their tushies well in the T's & C's. Some even make an extra Rand or two through substitution policies and waiting lists. But let's not go there now...

Back to topic, is it possible at all to self insure? Incl. for medial reasons?

 

Is the cancellation policy stricter now due to the changing clientele and the certainty that someone will definitely be upset/negative publicly should the event go ahead and something happen? Is there a shift in the market or a shift in actual safety concerns?

IMHO the cancellation of Sunday was 'soft', but are they simply being overy cautious due to actual fear of injury, is the fear of being publicly reprimanded OR are the people just soft and need coddling to avoid the above?

It just seems a lot of events are being canceled in conditions that would have seemed mildly adverse in the past

I remember running some Bastille day 50km races in absolutely torrid conditions, windy, sleet, snow on the ground, flooded rivers and paths and torrential rain in well below freezing temperatures. 

I'm not sure one can insure against entry fees, but it stands to reason there 'could' be a gap there as these things rise in price substantially. 

7k to enter a 100 miler, IM PE is over 9k, Epic is 80k each, Gravel Burn 70k.... I have bikes worth less than the last 2 that are insured, so there is definitely scope and outlay worth looking after

[IceCreamMan]

Events here in the UK offer an insurance of cancellation and/or insurance if you have an issue and can’t make the event. It normally adds a few quid per entry if you elect to take the insurance. 
 

so it certainly is possible to do on a personal level, maybe organisers could take out an insurance and pass the costs down per entry. 

[Andymann]

3 hours ago, reteid said:

I have started easy run walk on the trails in Paarl and more spec Paarl mountain. I normally run in Asics novablast 4 on the road , but they are a bit slippery on the loose gravel. Any suggestions to look at a very very much intro shoe? and not breaking the bank if the trail running is perhaps not for me. I wear 2 e wide shoes

I've tried a few brands Asics, Mizuno, Puma over the years and the ones that have given me the most confidence running on loose gravel and slippery mud are On Cloud Cloud Venture.  But not your intro shoe request though - they are on the pricey side

 

I suppose if you are really on a tight budget then go to a Mr. Price sports and buy some Maxed Trail running shoes. The Fast Echo soles look very much like the design on my Mizunos which weren't bad, but were terrible in the wet slippery stuff

Edited November 27, 2025 by Andymann

[Shebeen]

On 11/24/2025 at 10:15 AM, Fisan said:

Another weekend, another canceled event due to weather (UTCT 35k).

 

 

 

4 hours ago, Bro Derek said:

IMHO the cancellation of Sunday was 'soft', but are they simply being overy cautious due to actual fear of injury, is the fear of being publicly reprimanded OR are the people just soft and need coddling to avoid the above?

taken from marshalls at top of platteklip.

 

 

 

One man's "soft" is another person's "insane".

I got the call from my wife to say that she was halfway up platteklip and was sent home. I'm ok with the decision on this one, but it still sucks when they actually had other routes on the mountain still open. Could they have planned for this, maybe not that easy.

 

 

 

4 hours ago, Bro Derek said:

7k to enter a 100 miler, IM PE is over 9k, Epic is 80k each, Gravel Burn 70k.... I have bikes worth less than the last 2 that are insured, so there is definitely scope and outlay worth looking after

While I agree with the sentiment that these events are silly expensive, I think your numbers for some are bigly inflated for some reason. The only reason why they cost this much is because they sell out and can hike it the next year. The worm has turned on this one for The Otter which did not fill the field for the first time ever this year. 

[Bro Derek]

1 hour ago, Shebeen said:

While I agree with the sentiment that these events are silly expensive, I think your numbers for some are bigly inflated for some reason. The only reason why they cost this much is because they sell out and can hike it the next year. The worm has turned on this one for The Otter which did not fill the field for the first time ever this year. 

Which ones?

UTCT 100 miler - R6750

PE IM 2026 - R9250
Epic 2026 - R120 000 local R158000 International

Gravel Burn basic entry 2025 - 55k, more expensive options up to 90k

I don't see any bigly inflated numbers

[milky4130]

6 hours ago, reteid said:

I have started easy run walk on the trails in Paarl and more spec Paarl mountain. I normally run in Asics novablast 4 on the road , but they are a bit slippery on the loose gravel. Any suggestions to look at a very very much intro shoe? and not breaking the bank if the trail running is perhaps not for me. I wear 2 e wide shoes

I still use the nova blast 3's +-1000kms on them & picked up the old model Asics Gel Trabuco 11's which is a good cheaper entry level trail shoe for all conditions a bity on the heavier side.

[milky4130]

15 minutes ago, Bro Derek said:

Which ones?

UTCT 100 miler - R6750

PE IM 2026 - R9250
Epic 2026 - R120 000 local R158000 International

Gravel Burn basic entry 2025 - 55k, more expensive options up to 90k

I don't see any bigly inflated numbers

I guess I'll never do a UTCT 100 miler again nor a IM. I'm glad those boxes are ticked. CE x2 completed both times the entry was sponsored, the 3rd time would need to be the same.

[TheoG]

Hi All, I'm looking for a 21km entry for Two Oceans next year, I missed the entry closure date 🤭, and dont want to pay almost double for a "rest of africa" entry.  If anyone have or know of someone that dont want to use their entry please let me know.

[milky4130]

4 hours ago, TheoG said:

Hi All, I'm looking for a 21km entry for Two Oceans next year, I missed the entry closure date 🤭, and dont want to pay almost double for a "rest of africa" entry.  If anyone have or know of someone that dont want to use their entry please let me know.

that makes 2 of us. I was on time just did not got an entry via the ballot system.

[dave303e]

On 11/27/2025 at 5:55 PM, Bro Derek said:

Which ones?

UTCT 100 miler - R6750

PE IM 2026 - R9250
Epic 2026 - R120 000 local R158000 International

Gravel Burn basic entry 2025 - 55k, more expensive options up to 90k

I don't see any bigly inflated numbers

 

Shop around and pick and choose and you can get more epic experiences for less....

Grand Raid 100 miler on Reunion is ±R4500

NZ Coast to Coast(paddling is better than swimming) R15k and is a lot tougher/ epic than an ironman

Races like Silk Road, Atlas, Helenic are only around 14k entry, ±15-20k flights. For that you get days of epic riding, ridiculous climbs and immersing yourself in a totally different culture. We ride South African conditions and trails every weekend, go do something different...

[Bro Derek]

1 hour ago, dave303e said:

 

Shop around and pick and choose and you can get more epic experiences for less....

Grand Raid 100 miler on Reunion is ±R4500

NZ Coast to Coast(paddling is better than swimming) R15k and is a lot tougher/ epic than an ironman

Races like Silk Road, Atlas, Helenic are only around 14k entry, ±15-20k flights. For that you get days of epic riding, ridiculous climbs and immersing yourself in a totally different culture. We ride South African conditions and trails every weekend, go do something different...

Thanks, but I'm a dad and owner of 2 businesses who doesn't have time to travel much for races anymore. I've lived a good life so it is definitely not a complaint. I love doing all the kid stuff and seeing the world through young, excited eyes. I'd not trade that for another experience for me right now. 

In the context of the conversation we were talking about high entry fee costs and whether or not they could be privately insured. 

FYI, I have actually done Grand Raid and Coast2Coast. A lifetime ago

I lived in Sumner Heights and walked home from the finish.

I'm still waiting for @Shebeen to point out where my numbers are Bigly inflated as he put it.

Edited December 1, 2025 by Bro Derek

[Andrew_Smith]

On 11/27/2025 at 11:38 AM, reteid said:

I have started easy run walk on the trails in Paarl and more spec Paarl mountain. I normally run in Asics novablast 4 on the road , but they are a bit slippery on the loose gravel. Any suggestions to look at a very very much intro shoe? and not breaking the bank if the trail running is perhaps not for me. I wear 2 e wide shoes

Running shoes (road and trail) are super personal. What works for me would maybe not work for you.

I recommend you go see Oom Bennie in Stellenbosch. I wish I had done it sooner! Got exactly what I needed for my feet.

https://runnersedge.co.za/

[Shebeen]

On 12/1/2025 at 8:02 AM, Bro Derek said:

I'm still waiting for @Shebeen to point out where my numbers are Bigly inflated as he put it.

Yawn, no need since you already pointed them out yourself.

 

but yes, it didn't actually change the point as Jimmy Mcmillan once said, the entry fees are too damn high!

[Shebeen]

On 8/21/2025 at 9:46 AM, ScottCM said:

New Franchise coming to RSA. 

 

 Ultra-X-South-Africa-HS2-Race-Information-Pack-2025-V3-1-2.pdf

 

 

wow. this is actually happening.

and according to this it sold out in 48 hours.https://www.facebook.com/ultraxco/posts/pfbid0FHVJzdeNJ6ztJxsNWydyjxgKbk28jxQzTHsS8LMv3Wosu2DQaC3G1NFZkwT4HNkol

 

Seems weird that a european crew can fly in and do a better race prospect than locals.