ONE of the main events at this year’s uMhlanga Summer Festival is the highly-anticipated uMhlanga Trail Run that takes place on Sunday 18 December. This is the 19th running of the popular event in the seventh festival. The distances that keen participants can tackle are the challenging 12km or 18km and for the entry level runners, the shorter 5km race.
The first race gets underway at 6am, with the two longer races setting off, and the shorter race having an individual start 10 minutes later. All distances will have a river crossing and a section on the beach. The race takes you out and back on an adventurous trail through the wooded areas around the suburbs of uMhlanga. The start and finish is along the promenade near the Millennium Stage.
“Our event is going from strength to strength and we are extremely proud of it,” said Buzz Bolton from Riverside Trails. “We have clocked up 7 262 runners and walkers who have participated in the race since its inception on 15 December 2010. A tally that we are all extremely proud of, and hope to grow in the coming years.”
Talking more on the route, Vaughn Smit from Riverside Trails said he is expecting a competitive field.
“Participants will run along some picturesque paths through the forest and sugar cane fields. The route includes a few small climbs, river crossing, single track and beach sand to challenge you and to add to the experience of our run.”
The entry fees are R140 for 18km, R120 for 12km and R70 for the 5km for all online entries.
For more info visit www.umhlangatrailrun.co.za or to enter, go to www.roag.co.za.
