For many locals the Sacramento Trail at the seaside village of Schoenmakerskop, aka Schoenies, is a huge favourite for a leisurely stroll with the dogs on a sunny day. But the pace is about to quicken radically along this popular trail known for its stunning seaside scenery and indigenous vegetation.
The Programme
Trail running events specialists, Wildrunner, kicked off with the first race in the Sacramento Nature Reserve and then followed it up with Race 2 in Port Elizabeth’s equally scenic Baakens Valley on July 31, while Race 3 is at Cape Recife on August 7. The final race is at Hopewell Estate, just outside PE, on August 21.
Follow the trail
The PE Trail Series is part of the Spur Trail Series, already an annual highlight among trail runners in the Western Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. It’s one of the most popular trail running events and the only national trail running series in the country.
The new local series will deliver the thrill of running through beautiful coastal landscapes and dune vegetation.
“The Spur Trail Series is a great place both for novices to be introduced to the sport of trail running and for experienced racers to do speed training as they take on some of the most talented trail runners in South Africa,” says Trail Series founder and Wildrunner MD, Owen Middleton. “PE is a stunning area for trail running, and we are really pleased to be promoting the area’s natural attractions through the series.”
Information for the races
If runners only want to do one or two of the races and can’t complete the entire series they may enter on a race-by-race basis. Kids are also allowed to enter and compete.
Entries are limited and pre-entry online is advisable. If on-the-day entries are taken, a late entry fee will be added to the normal entry fee – see the website for details.
021 821 9898
Words: Louise Liebenberg
Images: Salvelio Meyer and Supplied
