Tackle 5km trail run in Lower Illovo next Friday

TRAIL runners and walkers need look no further than the sugar cane fields of the Lower Illovo area near the Illovo Business Park for their next athletic outing into the wild.

Local lifesaver and canoeist, Mark Barber has worked together with several roleplayers to host a trail run/walk series at the Toti Brewery site, starting with the first of three events next Friday, 3 March.

Starting at 6pm from Toti Brewery, runners and walkers will do battle with a 5km trail through the adjacent sugar cane fields, using one of several routes and possibly using a two-lap route of 2,5km track through the fields.

The entry fee for the initial event is R80 which includes a boerie roll and Powerade. The event offers cash prizes for the men’s and women’s winners, and U18 female and male winners. In addition, a floating trophy and smaller trophy will be awarded. There will also be lucky draw prizes.

The three race series will continue with events at the same time and place on 31 March and 21 April. Where competitors compete in two of the three races, they will qualify for a race T-shirt donated by Hypersure.

To be a series winner, competitors will have to do all three races and should a different competitor win each event, the series winner will be decided from the best average time posted across all three races. A series winner prizes will also be awarded.

Refreshments and drinks will be on sale at each of the events, as well as secure, fenced parking.

Safety officers will be sited along the course, which also has ablution and shower facilities.

Mark is also planning a future duathlon (cycling and running) and canoe-running events, as well as warrior-style races at the site.

Five roleplayers have been instrumental in getting the event off the ground, including Toti Brewing Company, Umsinsi Adventures, Hypersure Insurance Brokers, Obstacle Obsessed and Mad Mud Adventure Races

For more details about the trail run and walk, call Mark Barber on 074-887-2243.