“Running with
Purpose, saving
South Africa’s endangered Cranes.”
The Shot: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 16-35 f2.8 L II 1/200 second @f2.8 ISO: 640 More Information: www.xtremedia.co.za
Trailrunning
Story and Photos: Em Gatland
The First Crossing The Shot: Runners start their three day adventure entering at the base of the Karkloof canopy tours, ahead of them lies a step climb. The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 15mm Fisheye 1/125 second @f2.8 ISO: 6400
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
Three Cranes Challenge 2014
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
Adventurers Take warning The shot: Where you would enjoy the Canopy tours coming down on a swing now you head up against the safety platforms. The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 15mm Fisheye 1/100 second @f2.8 Off Camera Flash Canon 580EX on Manual ISO: 800
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Karkloof Canopy Perspective The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 15mm Fisheye 1/100 second @f2.8 ISO: 2000
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
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Ground Clouds The Shot: As runners appear out of the indigenous growth so the clouds thicken and settle to make conditions a little tricky. The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 70-200 f2.8 L IS II 1/2000 second @f4 ISO: 400
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
Three Cranes Challenge 2014
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Mud Matters The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 16-35 f2.8 L II 1/250 second @f2.8 ISO: 1250 Off Camera Flash Canon 580EX on Manual
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
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End excursions The Shot: Speak to any participant in the Three Cranes Challenge and they will agree that the last leg of Day 1 is by far the most challenging. It’s 7km’s of up and down technical terrain. The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 70-200 f2.8 L IS II 1/320 second @f2.8 ISO: 1250
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
When you think you there... you not The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 70-200 f2.8 L IS II 1/320 second @f2.8 ISO: 1600
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
Rock Ribbed Foreground The Shot: A small insight to the terrain that lies ahead of the runners, combined with heavy rains, this makes for a 4x4 trail runners track. The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 16-35 f2.8 L II 1/320 second @f2.8 ISO: 1600
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
Golden Hour takeoff The Shot: The third batch of runners take off into the sunrise for the start of 42km’s on Day two. The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 16-35 f2.8 L II 1/160 second @f4 ISO: 200
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Stop, think, jump! The Shot: The first of many water crossings on Day 2, try and keep those shoes dry for as long as possible! The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 15mm Fisheye 1/1600 second @f3.5 ISO: 500
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
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In a league of his own The Shot: Eric Engubane who led and won the Three Cranes Challenge was hard to keep up with, an incredible sportsman who always dominates the Wildseries events. The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 15mm Fisheye 1/1250 second @f2.8 ISO: 640
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Solitude smiles The Shot: The most beautiful hidden spot nestled in the Mbona estate; every runner had a smile on their face coming up the tucked away river path. The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 15mm Fisheye 1/320 second @f2.8 ISO: 400 Off Camera Flash Canon 580EX on Manual
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
Indigenous Obstacles The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 15mm Fisheye 1/320 second @f4 ISO: 640 Off Camera Flash Canon 580EX on Manual
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Route overview The Shot: It’s been a long second day and as the runner approaches the final stretch, a view of where he has come from is in the distance. Putting Day 2 into perspective. The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 16-35 f2.8 L II 1/800 second @f4 ISO: 200
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
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Enjoying the moment The Shot: How can you not soak up your surroundings and give it two thumbs up. The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 16-35 f2.8 L II 1/640 second @f2.8 ISO: 1250
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
Trail in motion The Shot: As the end approaches runners smell the coffee at camp and start the fast past decent down. The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 16-35 f2.8 L II 1/100 second @f3.5 ISO: 500
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Tent lit darkness The Shot: Day 3 is a 4am start, headlights start turning on in the runners tents while up above the stars are still shinning bright. The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 16-35 f2.8 L II 30 second @f4 ISO: 500
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
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Race Face The Shot: Trish Bahlmann shows her game face at the start of day, hot on the heels of the ladies leader Tracy Zunckel. The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 16-35 f2.8 L II 1/125 second @f2.8 ISO: 1600
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
Watercourse rush The Shot: Trail thrills as the first obstacle is approached. Headlamps and water splashes making for epic action photos. The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 16-35 f2.8 L II 1/15 second @f4 ISO: 800 On Camera Flash Canon 580EX on ETTL
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Sunrise Visions The Shot: Day 3 is literally and up hill climb from the start, but once you reach the top you are greeted by spectacular views and a sunrise that will keep bringing you back. The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 16-35 f2.8 L II 1/160 second @f3.2 ISO: 200 Off Camera Flash Canon 580EX
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
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Silhouette Sunrise The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 16-35 f2.8 L II 1/2000 second @f4 ISO: 200
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Road Less Travelled The Shot: The solitude of an open road lies ahead with a touch of golden light to compliment it. The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 15mm Fisheye 1/6400 second @f4 ISO: 200
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Home in Sight The Shot: In the foreground is the road leading home to end another Three Cranes Challenge The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 16-35 f2.8 L II 1/640 second @f4 ISO: 160
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Bringing home the dirt The Shot: Runners take well-worn trail shoes covered in course terrain and a glass for a cold beer. The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 16-35 f2.8 L II 1/2500 second @f2.8 ISO: 160
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
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End Glory The Shot: Pure exhilaration as Jaco Van Niekerk crosses the line and completes the Three Cranes three-day challenge covering 109km’s of technical, muddy and vast terrain. An achievement one can truly feel after finishing. The Specs: Canon 5D Mark iii EF 16-35 f2.8 L II 1/1600 second @f4 ISO: 400
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Three Cranes Challenge 2014
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