St Helena Festival of Running 2005

St Helena Government has officially endorsed this event which will take place during August 2005.  The office of Tourism on St Helena will be working with the National Amateur Sports Association of St Helena (NASAS) to make this another successful event.
You are cordially invited to participate in a very special event - the second St Helena Island Festival of Running.  The festival comprises a half marathon, 10km & 3km fun run/walk and the unique Jacob's Ladder Challenge - a timed race up the near vertical 699 steps of the Jacob's Ladder in Jamestown.  There will also be a full marathon provided that there are at least 5 participants.

All events will take place on the tropical island of St Helena, which is situated in the South Atlantic Ocean  2,400 kilometres North-North West from Cape Town.  This British dependency was much valued as a resting place and a source of fresh provisions for weary mariners in their long voyages from Europe to the Cape of Good Hope.  It was the home of Napoleon and Dinizulu and visited by such dignitaries as Wellington, the astronomer Hally and Darwin, to name but a few.  The island's fauna and flora are unique and the island is a paradise for hikers, fisherman, botanist, naturalists and scuba divers alike.

The half marathon  takes you from the barren forbidding coastline with its historical fortifications, many dating back to Napoleonic times, to the lush tropical interior of the island with breath taking panoramic views - a truely unique running experience.  Come and experience it.

Obviously travel to and from the island is aboard the RMS St Helena and opportunities exists to see the ship before you book by getting in contact with our Cape Town office on (00) (27) 21 425 1165 or on email at  sthelenaline@mweb.co.za

This special cruise is scheduled to depart from Cape Town on the 10th August 2005,  arriving seven days later at St Helena.  The race events and other tourist activities take place during the seven day stay on the island.  The RMS will arrive back in Cape Town on the 31st August.  Jean Paul Belle,  organiser of the popular "Puffer Trail Marathon", will organise these running events and accompany this special unique cruise.

For more information on this event please contact our Cape Town office  or visit the special web site www. festivalofrunning.com