{"id":43326,"date":"2022-03-15T00:02:14","date_gmt":"2022-03-14T22:02:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/?p=43326"},"modified":"2022-03-15T00:02:14","modified_gmt":"2022-03-14T22:02:14","slug":"sa-elites-ready-to-runtheafricanx","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/more-sport\/sa-elites-ready-to-runtheafricanx\/","title":{"rendered":"SA Elites ready to #RunTheAFRICANX!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cLet Nature Give You A Run For Your Money\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>A strong field of SA\u2019s Elite trail runners will be seen in action at the 12th<\/sup> annual THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN Three-Day Stage Race <\/strong>that will take place at the picturesque Houw Hoek Hotel (Western Cape) from Saturday 19 to Monday 21 March 2022.<\/p>\n

Top teams to look out for will include: Landie Greyling (Stellenbosch) & <\/u>Danette Walley (Somerset West)<\/u>, AJ Calitz (Melkbosstrand) & Kerry-Ann Marshall (Newlands)<\/u>, Siviwe Nkombi (Mfuleni Township, Cape Flats) & Retsepile Khotle (Alberton Tokoza, East Joburg)<\/u> and Kane Reilly (Newlands) & Daniel Claassen (Greenpoint)<\/u> to mention just a few.<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s Team Competition<\/u><\/em>: No stranger to the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN, Landie Greyling placed first in the mixed team category in 2013 when she teamed up with husband Christiaan. From 2015 to 2017 she and Megan Mackenzie dominated the women\u2019s team category. This year Greyling will team up with Danette Walley who placed first in the women\u2019s team category in 2021 with then newlywed Vicky Botha, nee van der Merwe.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI love trail running because I love being out in nature, away from the hustle and bustle,\u201d says Greyling. \u201cThe THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN is a great event, and I am looking forward to enjoying three days of lovely trails with the trail running community while competing against the other teams. Danette and I train together. We are quite similar in speed and we both love a bit of trail and road running. Our strength will be speed and endurance, while our goal will be to win in the Women\u2019s Team Category.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Danette Walley, the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN is a highlight on the trail running calendar. \u201cIt is one of the few team trail running\u00a0events in South Africa and this in itself brings a whole new dynamic to racing,\u201d says Walley. \u201cYou have to put your partner first and do what is best for the team. I love that about AFRICANX. To me, AFRICANX is like a mini running holiday. Three days spent in nature, with good food and fun people that share a passion for running. I have many happy running memories from my 2021 AFRICANX experience and am looking forward to adding some more this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Greyling and Walley will face tough competition from Lijan Van Niekerk and Marion Leiberic.<\/p>\n

Mixed Team Competition<\/u><\/em>: AJ Calitz has had his fair share of victories at the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN. He and Bernard Rukadza claimed gold in the Men\u2019s Team Category in 2014, 2015 and 2018. In 2016, Calitz and Ben Brimble were the team to beat, while in 2017 he and Nicolete Griffioen dominated the Mixed Team Category of the event. This year AJ will team up with Comrades gold medallist and UTCT winner, Kerry-Ann Marshall.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI love the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN,\u201d admits Calitz. \u201cI love the \u2018living like a\u00a0Kenyan\u2019 part – sleep, eat, run, repeat! Hanging out with all the athletes afterwards is amazing. I\u2019m looking forward to experiencing the vibe and seeing all my running mates again. The routes and the pool at the finish are a treat. Kerry-Ann and I have been friends for a long time, and I am pretty sure that she is faster than me. Our strength is bound to be her speed and my stubbornness, while our goal will be to have fun, while racing hard!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI love the energy and community of AFRICANX,\u201d says Kerry-Ann Marshall. \u201cThe event brings together runners from different backgrounds and levels of experience. Apart from the fun route, it\u2019s an opportunity to reconnect with new and old friends both on and off the course. I\u2019m already looking forward to the wonderful meals. AJ is a legend and great ambassador for our sport. I feel very honoured to run with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Men\u2019s Team Competition<\/u><\/em>: <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Siviwe Nkombi and Retsepile Khotle have set their sights on claiming gold in the Men\u2019s Team Category.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been in love with the sport of trail running since 2013,\u201d admits Nkombi. \u201cI\u2019ve never seen an organization that works together like the trail running community does. The THIRSTI AFRICANX possesses that special element – the culture of the race, the vibe and the routes that are world class \u2013 smooth and runnable. It really is an event for all runners from the pros to the beginners.\u00a0 Retsepile and I have been working hard to achieve good results this year. We have one goal and that is to be crowned champions at the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI love that THIRSTI is the title sponsor of the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN,\u201d says Khotle. \u201cTHIRSTI has a strong involvement in sport in South Africa. Their presence at the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN is felt especially with the well-stocked water points. Siviwe and I used to compete against each other. It\u2019s nice to team up with him instead, as our strength and speed is equally matched. We share the same goal and that is to win.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kane Reilly will celebrate his return to AFRICANX (he last competed in 2017) by teaming up with event newcomer, Daniel Claassen.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN has always been a great event for a wide range of runners, from the elites to those who are just getting started and taking on a challenge that’s out of their comfort\u00a0zone,\u201d says Reilly. \u201cIt’s also one of the\u00a0events that attracts the attention of both trail and road runners. This creates a pretty cool and unique vibe, not to mention the competitive racing experience. I am looking forward to three days of fast and competitive racing as well as a weekend of good times\u00a0with my teammate and fellow runners.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAFRICANX has been on my bucket list since 2018 when I first started running trail,\u201d says Claassen. \u201cThe fast-flowing trails and the fact that you need to run well for three days really excites\u00a0me. I think (and have heard) that AFRICANX is one of a kind and I am really excited to be on the start line this year. I have never done a three-day stage race or run with a teammate before. I am really looking forward to experiencing an \u2018individual sport becoming a team sport\u2019. \u00a0Kane and I have similar running capabilities and are excited to give AFRICANX a go.\u201d<\/p>\n

A uniquely sourced natural spring water that is rich in minerals, THIRSTI, a proudly South African brand, became the proud Title Sponsor of the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN in 2021. <\/em><\/p>\n

EVENT INFORMATION<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 2022 THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN<\/strong> Three-Day Stage Race<\/strong><\/p>\n

Launched in 2009, the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN is synonymous with magnificent trails, spectacular views, mouth-watering food, a relaxed atmosphere, great vibe and most importantly, teamwork! Teams of two trail running enthusiasts (male\/female\/mixed) will be seen battling it out on a route varying in distances each day.\u00a0 Each stage will feature a different route that is guaranteed to keep things challenging, yet exciting while leaving runners in awe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Date<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 <\/strong><\/td>\nSaturday 19 \u2013 Monday 21 March 2022<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Venue<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 <\/strong><\/td>\nHouw Hoek Hotel (Western Cape)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Event Format<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 <\/strong><\/td>\n3-Day Stage Trail Run<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Entry Format<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 <\/strong><\/td>\nTeams of Two Runners (male \/ female \/ mixed)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stage Distance<\/u><\/strong>:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n

Stage 1:\u00a0+- 24 km<\/p>\n

Stage 2:\u00a0+- 32 km<\/p>\n

Stage 3:\u00a0+- 18 km<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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RACE PACK COLLECTION<\/u>:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Date:<\/strong><\/td>\nFriday 18 March 2022<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Venue:<\/strong><\/td>\nHouw Hoek Hotel (Western Cape)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Time:<\/strong><\/td>\n12:00 \u2013 19:00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Entry Fee Includes<\/u><\/strong>:<\/strong><\/p>\n