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Celebrating its 12th<\/sup> anniversary in 2022, Stage One of the iconic THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN proved to be the perfect icebreaker at SA\u2019s Premier Three-Day Stage Race that started at the Houw\u00a0Hoek Hotel today (Saturday 19 March) and finished at the picturesque Paul Cluver Wines.<\/p>\n Stage One saw teams of two trail running enthusiasts (male \/ female \/ mixed) having to complete a challenging, but fun +-24km route that boasted a total ascent of 800m.<\/p>\n Kane Reilly and Daniel Claassen of Team Salomon were fighting fit in the Men\u2019s Team Category<\/u> crossing the finish line first in an impressive time of 01 hour 47 minutes 46 seconds.<\/em><\/p>\n According to Reilly, Stage One was fast and fun. \u201cWe pushed it from the start together with Siviwe Nkombi and Retsepile Khotle (Team Here To Win). We were running fast and smooth. The last 15km was basically a race home. Daniel and I have been training together, so we know how we want to run. We just got stuck into our rhythm and just kept it. It feels great to be back at the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN. I have lots of memories running on some of these trails. It\u2019s great being in a team again. It\u2019s a super fun experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Claassen\u2019s made his \u201cteam racing\u201d debut on the day. \u201cLuckily Kane and I train together so we\u2019re aware of each other\u2019s strong points,\u201d admits Claassen. \u201cWe just tried to push the climbs, while keeping it steady on the flats and the downs. It\u2019s nice to run with someone, usually we\u2019re chasing each other. Now, for a change, we\u2019re getting to run together and work together. It\u2019s really cool and a positive experience. We\u2019re looking forward to Day Two.\u201d<\/p>\n Siviwe Nkombi and Retsepile Khotle (Team Here To Win) came in 2nd<\/sup>, while Lovemo Nyaude and Hakeem Smith (Team TBC) finished 3rd<\/sup>.<\/p>\n Kerry-Ann Marshall and AJ Calitz of Team K-Way New Balance were dominant in the Mixed Team Category<\/u> claiming gold in 02 hours 01 minute 15 seconds.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cToday\u2019s route was more like the traditional AFRICANX route, the one that I like,\u201d says Calitz. “It was a bit more technical with a bit more climbing. The gameplan was just to stick with Kerry-Ann, she\u2019s a machine. The goal was to run as fast and as hard as we could, and I think that we had a good day. We\u2019re excited to take on Stage Two, but first we\u2019re going to spend some time in the pool and fuel up. Today was a hard and fast day. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe had good fun,\u201d says Marshall. \u201cAJ is super strong. Every time that we came to a slight incline, AJ was there for me. I could hold on to his pack and he just pulled me up. On the flats and the downs we just ran \u2018lekker\u2019 together.\u00a0 It was a good run. There is such a good vibe at AFRICANX. Everyone cheers each other on, and the aid stations are fun. It makes it feel like home. After the years that we\u2019ve had with Covid, this is just super special. We\u2019re reuniting with everyone again.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Franza Landman and Liam Victor of Team Fran & Liam came in 2nd<\/sup>, while Greg Erlangsen and Melissa Laing of Team Pura finished 3rd<\/sup>.<\/p>\n A misunderstanding saw a select number of teams being diverted onto the incorrect route early on in the race. \u201cWe were immediately made aware of the incident and diverted the teams back onto the correct route,\u201d says Dezroy Poole, THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN Race Director. \u201cThe incident mostly impacted the top three positions in the Women\u2019s Team Category. We\u2019ve discussed the matter with all parties involved and have come to an agreement that all teams are happy with. Stage One will see Robyn Gardener and Leonie Schoeman of Team Handle with Flair share the 1st<\/sup> place position with Lijan Van Niekerk and Marion Leiberich from Team The Border Collies. Landie Greyling and Danette Walley from Team Blazing Blondies are currently in 2nd<\/sup> place.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToday was absolutely perfect,\u201d says Schoeman. \u201cWe had some \u2018us time\u2019. There was such camaraderie. It\u2019s so different to road running which is so competitive. On the trails everyone is buddies, tuning each other and joking with each other. The \u00a0on route wine stop was amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToday was absolutely beautiful,\u201d says Gardener, who also celebrated her event debut on the day. \u201cThe stage was very well organised. The weather was awesome, and the scenery was incredible. It was such an experience.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n NEXT UP<\/u><\/strong>: 2022 THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN<\/strong> Three-Day Stage Race<\/strong> \/ Stage Two<\/strong>\u00a0<\/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.<\/p>\n