Krantzkloof Trail Run returns for the second time in October

THE Krantzkloof Trail Run is back after a successful inaugural event last year and extensive trail repairs following the April floods.

The run is due to start and finish at Forest Hills Sports Club, on October 2, and participants will experience some new trail sections over a 15 or 22km distance or a shorter 6km fun run or walk.

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The state of the reserve following the floods

The reserve suffered extensive damage in the April floods, resulting in the subsequent closure of the facility. In addition to damage at both reserve entrances and parking areas, the main picnic site and conference centre, all bridges on the hiking trails were washed away, and trails were obstructed by mud slides, fallen trees and vegetation washed downstream by the floodwaters. Large sections of the 27km fence line were damaged by the torrential rains.

Jenny Bosch, chairperson of the Ezemvelo Honorary Officers (HO) working in Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, says that although there is much work to be done before the reserve will reopen to the public, they are satisfied that the trails are ready and safe for runners to participate in the 2022 Krantzkloof Trail Run.

The Honorary Officers are the event organisers, and the trail run is one of the volunteer group’s fundraisers for the reserve. Bosch confirms that all funds raised by the HO go towards projects within Krantzkloof Nature Reserve. The volunteer Honorary Officers and the reserve management have agreed that flood repairs are the most urgent priority.

Waldo Bekker, conservation manager of the reserve, says the damage from the April floods is extensive.

“All the bridges washed away – three bridges that were main visitor crossings and all the small bridges. Some structures were just two poles, but others were R40 000 bridges. They are all completely washed away. You can’t even see that they were there. It took 15 people to carry each pole used in the larger structure to the location. Sometimes the location might be a few hours walk into the reserve,” he says.

Landslides within the reserve have also been a challenge.

“There are two large landslides over visitor paths. The largest one is 20 meters long. We must establish a new path by digging a notch out of the rubble, down to bedrock. This will be done by hand as it is impossible to get machinery in there. The closest access is a 20-minute walk away. All our equipment must be carried in by hand. The second landslide is a shorter walk but requires our workers to go down a 20-meter, steep, rocky descent to reach the site where the slip occurred,” Bekker says.

The plan for repairs

Everyone, including management, field rangers, and general assistants are helping with repairs.

“Everyone is fixing the flood damage. Only three people are usually tasked with doing all the manual work in the reserve, but now, everyone is involved with repairs,” says Bekker.

A pressing concern for the reserve manager is the damaged fence line.

“My priority concern is the fences, as we have wild animals that can walk off the reserve. We have 27km of fence line around the boundary, with a cost of approximately R10 000 per 100m, and there are sections where the river has taken the entire fence or the vegetation that washed down has removed the fence. We lost 90m of fence line at the top of the waterfall. The river has altered its course by 4m in some places,” says the reserve manager.

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What makes the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve unique and why should it be protected?

According to Bekker the 408m drop in altitude from one side of the reserve to the other is unusual. Due to this, the biodiversity found there is unique and needs to be protected. The reserve is home to many rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. Indigenous orchid species thrive here, and over 250 species of bird fly within the confines of the reserve.

The reserve manager has a degree in nature conservation and began his career in anti-poaching and game capture units before moving into management. Waldo has managed the reserve for 12 years.

Bosch says, “Our aim is to support the reserve management in their duties and to do whatever we can to protect the nature reserve. There is ongoing pressure which is squeezing ever more tightly onto this pocket of biodiverse, protected area. The Krantzkloof Trail Run is an important step towards that goal.”

To reserve your place or for more details: kknr.org.za/trail-run

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