“Let Nature Give You A Run For Your Money”
Central Athletics Club’s President, Adnaan Mohamed, and Chairperson, Armien Simons have accepted the challenge of the Northwest Province’s THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 2-Day XPLORE that will take place at the Van Gaalen Cheese Farm (Hartbeespoort) on Saturday 20 – Sunday 21 August 2022.
No stranger to the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN having completed the 3-Day Stage Race eleven out of the twelve times that it has been hosted, Adnaan is eagerly counting down the days to the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 2-Day XPLORE. “I mostly enjoy the tremendous event vibe and the fact that you meet like-minded people with a common goal,” says Adnaan. “Not only does AFRICANX boast a massive party atmosphere, but it’s also a tremendous accomplishment to complete three days of trail running over some of the most challenging and spectacular routes that the Cape has to offer. I convinced Armien to take part in the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 3-Day Stage Race earlier this year because I felt that the incredible gees and festive event atmosphere would suit his personality perfectly and I had no doubt that he would really relish the challenge.”
“I have never participated in a trail run outside of the Western Cape,” admits Adnaan. “I was excited to hear that AFRICANX had expanded into a series of events that included 1-Day and 2-Day events in and outside of the Western Cape. Entering the 2-Day XPLORE in the Northwest Province was an easy decision and something that I am really looking forward to. I have heard that the Northwest Province really has spectacular trails, and I cannot wait to see what the 2-Day XPLORE at Van Gaalen has to offer. I’ve also convinced Armien to join me again. I am looking forward to the excitement of doing something brand new. It feels like I am doing my very first AFRICANX.”
According to Armien, he first started trail running in 2020 and the 2022 THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 3-Day Stage Race was his first serious race. “It was Adnaan’s experience of the event that got me to add it to my bucket list,” says Armien. “The 2022 event was everything that I had hoped for and more. Currently in South Africa there is no trail run like it. AFRICANX gives you value for money and is people centric, meaning everything is designed to ensure that the participant fully enjoys the experience and would always want to come back each year. The amount of time, energy and money invested in hosting this event can clearly be seen and felt once you are there. This is one of the biggest reasons why people come back each year, and this is one of the biggest reasons why I am so excited to take on the sister-event, the 2-Day XPLORE in the Northwest Province. My main objective is to enjoy the experience and all the amazing places that the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN takes us to.”
Living up to the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 3-Day Stage Race’s reputation, the 2-Day XPLORE is the perfect prelude to what to expect from the flagship 3-Day event. Boasting magnificent trails, spectacular views, mouth-watering food, a relaxed atmosphere, and a great vibe, the 2-Day XPLORE is an “individual entry” event (not teams of two). Runners can look forward to exploring the most spectacular terrain that the Northwest Province has to offer. Each stage will feature a different route that is guaranteed to keep things exciting while leaving runners in awe.
EVENT CALENDAR: 2022 THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 1-Day, 2-Day and 3-Day Events
| 1. 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 Stage 2 / +-16km | |
| 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 | |
| 2. THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 1-Day XPERIENCE | Date: Saturday 17 September 2022 |
| Venue: Paul Cluver Wine Estate (Grabouw) | |
| Format: 1 Day Trail Run | |
| Distance & Entry Fees: 6km / R100.00 12km / R350.00 24km / R600.00 42km / R950.00 | |
| Entry Format: Individual Entry | |
| Entries Close: Monday 12 September 2022 | |
| 3. THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 1-Day XPERIENCE | Date: Sunday 09 October 2022 |
| Venue: Cradle Moon, Lakeside Game Lodge, Gauteng | |
| Format: 1 Day Trail Run | |
| Distance & Entry Fees: 6km / R100.00 12km / R350.00 24km / R600.00 | |
| Entry Format: Individual Entry | |
| Entries Close: Monday 03 October 2022 | |
| 4. THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 3-Day STAGE RACE | Date: Friday 17 – Sunday 19 March 2023 |
| Venue: Houw Hoek Hotel (Western Cape) | |
| Format: 3-Day Stage Trail Run | |
| Distance: Stage 1: +- 24 km Stage 2: +- 32 km Stage 3: +- 18 km | |
| Entry Format: Teams of Two Runners (male / female / mixed) | |
| Entry Fees: OPTION 1: Standard / R3600.00 per runner OPTION 2: Standard plus dinner / R4200.00 per runner OPTION 3: Standard plus dinner & tent / R4600.00 per runner | |
| Entries Close: Monday 06 March 2023 |
WIN with the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN and PUMA: Exciting news for THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 2-Day XPLORE entrants! 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 [email protected].
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
For more information about THIRSTI, please visit www.thirsti.co.za
















