“Let Nature Give You A Run For Your Money”
The THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 2-Day XPLORE will take place at the Van Gaalen Cheese Farm (Hartbeespoort, North-West Province) on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 August 2022, and trail running enthusiasts can look forward to experiencing trail running at its best over the two-day period.
“It’s the entire ‘experiential package’ that attracts me to the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN Series of events,” says Nico Sterk, local adventure athlete and THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 2-Day XPLORE Route Manager. “The routes offer a nice balance between technical and easier trails to suit all trail running enthusiasts. The events are extremely well organized and just hosted on a whole different level. My brief from Stillwater Sports was to find routes that would be the perfect introduction to the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN Series of events, not too technical, but fun and still proper trail running. The goal is to prepare runners for the flagship event, the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 3-Day STAGE RACE that takes place annually in the Western Cape. The AFRICANX 2-Day XPLORE is guaranteed to be a unique experience especially for Gauteng based trail runners that have never taken part in the AFRICANX 3-Day STAGE RACE in the Western Cape.”
“Stage 1 will be a great introduction for newbies to the sport,” confirms Sterk. “At some sections the route is tough, but most of it consists of fast and flowing singletrack. Stage 2 will have a tougher 4.7km mid-section, but it will be a good learning experience for the AFRICANX TRAILRUN 3-Day STAGE RACE. The rest of the stage features easy to moderate trails that are a lot of fun, while the last 3km will be super-fast. My advice to entrants is to run within your own ability. You do not have to be an experienced trail runner to take part, just be fit enough to cover the distances, but start training on trails if possible. No need to start with excessive amounts of hill training or trying to run super technical routes in preparation. Rather spend your time running on flowing single track.”
Established in 1994, Van Gaalen was originally a Cheese Farm with Dutch heritage.
“Over the years Van Gaalen has grown into a popular lifestyle destination for hiking, running and cycling,” says Victor Schipper, Van Gaalen Owner. “We are extremely excited to be the host venue of the very first THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 2-Day XPLORE. It’s a privilege to be working with Stillwater Sports and we look forward to treating trail runners to the best trails in the North-West Province. Entrants can look forward to experiencing a massively diverse landscape with plush green overgrowth in some sections and dry rocky terrain like “Poffadder” in others. The views will be spectacular. The venue is beautifully set along the Skeerpoort River with orange African sunsets behind a backdrop of the Magaliesberg. Skeerpoort is an Agricultural Village near Hartbeespoortdam with many tourist attractions, so the rest of the family is sure to be entertained. The overall male and female winners of the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 2-Day XPLORE will receive a fantastic cheese and wine hamper each compliments of Van Gaalen.”
EVENT CALENDAR: 2022 THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 2-Day XPLORE
Date: Saturday 20 – Sunday 21 August 2022
Venue: Van Gaalen Cheese Farm (Hartbeespoort, North-West Province)
Format: 2-Day Stage Trail Run
Distance:
STAGE 1: +-20km
Ascent: 280m
Description:
• Easy to Moderate Technical Route, lots of fun and fast running.
• 65% Single Track / 35% Jeep Track
STAGE 2: +-16km
Ascent: 400m
Description:
• Moderate to Advance Technical Route, with steep and rocky climbs and downhills in the mid-section of the route.
• 60% Single Track / 40% Jeep Track
Entry Format: Individual Entry
Entry Fees: Option 1 / Standard Entry: R1950.00
Option 2 / Standard Entry plus breakfast and lunch: R2300
Option 3 / Standard Entry plus breakfast, lunch & dinner: R2650.00
Option 4 / Standard Entry plus all meals and tent: R2950.00
Entries Close: Monday 15 August 2022
WIN with the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN and PUMA: Every week until race weekend, 2 lucky entrants (1 male and 1 female) will stand a chance to WIN a pair of PUMA Voyage Nitro trail running shoes valued at R2800 per pair! All entrants will be entered into the draw each week, so the earlier you enter the higher your chances are of winning. All you need to do to stand a chance to win is enter and pay for your entry and follow us on our social media channels.
Follow us on Facebook: @ThirstiWater / @runtheafricanx / @stillwatertrail
Follow us on Instagram: @thirstiwater / @runtheAFRICANX / @stillwater_trail_running
Hashtag: #MyAFRICANX #RunTheAFRICANX
For additional information on the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 3-Day, 2-Day and/or 1-Day events please visit www.stillwatersports.com, contact Stillwater Sports on 082 991 0045 or email entries@stillwatersports.com.
More about THIRSTI:
THIRSTI is a uniquely sourced natural spring water that is rich in minerals and sourced from two extraordinary locations. Its primary bottling plant was founded in 2015 at a Normandien farm in the foothills of the Klein Drakensberg mountains. In 2021, THIRSTI expanded operations into the mountain basin of Tulbagh, surrounded by exquisite mountains and drained by the Klein Berg River and its tributaries.?Each source has its own state-of-the-art bottling plant where the water is filtered, tested and bottled, ready to be enjoyed by consumers. The THIRSTI product range includes Natural Spring Water, Sparkling Water, Sparkling Flavoured Water and an iconic sports drink, THIRSTI ISOFIT+. The South African brand proudly partners with the Springboks, Absa Cape Epic, Comrades Marathon, Blue Bulls Company, Sharks Rugby, THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN series of events and the Nedbank Running Club. For more information about THIRSTI, please visit www.thirsti.co.za
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