The organisers of SA’s premier three-day stage trail run, the AfricanX Trailrun, that is scheduled to take place on the weekend of 26 – 28 March are excited to welcome ten avid supporters as ambassadors in 2021.
The ten ambassadors are: trail runners Nicholas Rupanga, Noel Ernstzen, Blake Dyason, Ashraf Orrie and Nonhlakanipho Tau, musician Luca Hart, models/trail runners Franza Landman and Micaela Clifford, coach/trail runner Nico Sterk as well as Songo.info co-founder Songo Fipaza.
“We are excited to welcome ten eager trail runners and avid AfricanX supporters as ambassadors in 2021,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports. “If you look at the background of each of the ambassadors, you’ll realise that trail running really does appeal to a large audience. Amongst the ten ambassadors we have a musician, a model and even a coach. The common denominator is that they love trail running and most importantly they love the AfricanX Trailrun. We are proud to welcome them as part of our team and look forward to seeing them in action building up to and on event day.”
No stranger to AfricanX, Noel Ernstzen (Scarborough, Western Cape) has won and podiumed at four AfricanX races in the Vet Category. “AfricanX has been from the outset, one of my most enjoyable events on the calendar. It has all the eliminants I look for in an event. It draws all the top trail runners in the country. The routes are fairly technical, but still easy enough for roadies to get a taste of trail running. The organization has always been top class. This event has definitely played a major role in the huge uptake of trail running in SA over the past seven years.”
“I am so excited to be chosen as an ambassador,” says Blake Dyason (Hout Bay). “The AfricanX Trailrun is one of my favourite events. I love the vibe in the race village. I always make amazing friends. It’s great that people of all ages and fitness levels can take part in AfricanX. It’s a beautiful community and the trails are spectacular. I really love the dress up day.”
According to Ashraf Orrie (Plumstead), AfricanX is the “lekkerste” stage race in SA. “I won’t miss it for anything in the world,” says Orrie. “It’s a chilled, not too technical, novice friendly three-day stage race. It’s well organised and the routes are beautiful. I’ll be teaming up with my wife. Our team strength will definitely be patience. We run very well within ourselves, and there will definitely be no sprinting.”
Nonhlakanipho Tau (Randburg, Gauteng) will make her AfricanX debut in 2021. “I feel honoured and privileged to be chosen as an ambassador of the AfricanX Trailrun. I’ve only received positive feedback and high ratings from trail runners regarding the event. I’ll be teaming up with endurance runner Kennedy Sekhuthe. He is helping me to get ready for my first 100km race and will be there to push me to a great finish each day.”
AfricanX will officially be freelance musician, Luca Hart’s (Gardens, Cape Town) first trail race. “I’ve been running for a few years, but this will be my first race,” says Hart. “I’m honoured to be an AfricanX ambassador, especially given that I’m not a trail runner by profession, but a musician! I’ve always wanted to bring my two passions together: music and nature. I hope this will bring me one step closer to that dream.”
“I feel truly blessed and couldn’t be more grateful and excited to be associated with AfricanX,” says Franza Landman (East London). “After a tough year (for everyone), we are really looking forward to the build-up to race day and spending time with likeminded people. The location, routes and beautiful scenery is something to be excited about!”
According to Nico Sterk (Pretoria), AfricanX is the benchmark trail running stage race in the country. “I am so happy to see it back on the calendar in 2021. It’s a huge honour and I feel privileged to have been chosen to represent such an awesome event. I’ll be teaming up with my wife. We will probably be racing each other as the verdict is out on who is the best runner between the two of us.”
“AfricanX is my favourite trail run by far,” says Songo Fipaza (Kayamandi, Stellenbosch). “I love the route, the amazing views and the food. I’ll be teaming up with Gugulethu Joy Makhathini. We’ve both done AfricanX in the past, but this will be the first time that we take part together. It helps that we both know what to expect. Our goal will be to finish comfortably, while enjoying all that the route has to offer.”
2021 Event Information: AfricanX Trailrun
Teams of two trail running enthusiasts (male/female/mixed) will be seen battling it out on a route varying in distances each day. Each stage will feature a different route that is guaranteed to keep things exciting while leaving runners in awe.
Date: Friday 26 March 2021 – Sunday 28 March 2021
Format: Three-day stage race / teams of two (male/female/mixed)
Festival Village: On the grounds of the Houw Hoek Hotel (Bot River, Overberg Region / Western Cape)
Distance:
Day 1: +- 24km
Day 2: +- 32km
Day 3: +- 18km
There are three entry options:
R3400 per person – this includes breakfast and lunch, but excludes dinner and accommodation
R3900 per person – this includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, but excludes accommodation.
R4400 per person – this includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and tented accommodation at Houw Hoek Hotel.
Iconic to the AfricanX Trailrun, ALL entrants will receive a sought after AfricanX hoodie and an exclusive finisher’s t-shirt, amongst other exciting sponsor gifts!
CHARITY SUPPORT: The AfricanX Trailrun proudly supports The Timothy James Harlow Foundation (TJHF), a non-profit organisation that searches for opportunities to make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities. Runners can support the TJHF by making a donation when entering the AfricanX Trailrun online. This year AfricanX entrants have the opportunity to get more involved by suggesting a candidate and/or cause that they’d like the TJHF to support. Suggestions can be sent to [email protected]
AfricanX Trailrun – “Let Nature Give You A Run For Your Money”!
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For additional information on the AfricanX Trailrun please visit www.stillwatersports.com, contact Stillwater Sports on 082 991 0045 or email [email protected].