Crisp autumn mornings are perfect for farmland trail running and no more so than in picturesque Elgin, just one hour from Cape Town. In conjunction with Tru-Cape and local school Applewood Preparatory, the latest country trail run is set to be an annual event and covers private farm trails that span apple and pear orchard terrains with a series of small-to-medium level gradients for the 5km and a more challenging 11km with spectacular scenery to keep you inspired!
Well known trail talents Bernard Rukadza and Chantel Nienaber have already signed up to this run, and entries are flowing in for the event.
The 11km Tru-Cape Trail Running Challenge will start at 08h00 on 7 May at the Applewood School grounds but runners are urged to arrive and register from 07h00.
Trail-mad families can also sign up for the 5km family trail run which will follow part of the same track at 08h30.
Top prizes for runners include cash prizes for the first 3 male and female in for the 11km and all runners of both races will be entered into a lucky draw offering prizes such as accommodation at Elgin’s Old Mac Daddy, restaurant vouchers for The Pool Room at Oak Valley, a Cape Canopy Tour zipline experience, True Grit Mountain Bike Park passes, cases from Elgin wineries including Elgin Vintners, Moya Meaker and Hannay. Stand in line for accommodation prizes at award-winning Schoone Oordt in Swellendam and more.
Runners and their supporters can also enjoy some post-race downtime at the Applewood Harvest Market, a celebration of all things apple, happening from 09h00-15h00 on the school grounds. Expect apple bobbing, hay diving, tractor rides, mini-zipline, a dog show and hoop throwing.
Visit food stalls from Elgin’s authentic smokehouse, The Hickory Shack, country gourmet food from The Pool Room Restaurant, padkos favourites and freshly squeezed apple juices from Peregrine Farm Stall and artisanal food and products from Terra Madre.
Visitors can also visit the apple stall for apple tastings, apple pies, toffee apples and apples by the bag as well as hand-crafted apple stationery. Warming soups, farm fresh bread, candy floss, kettlecorn, Belgian waffles and snacks will also be for sale. Local wines and cider houses will also be on hand.
Live music from Gian Groen will have Festival-goers hunkering down on the hay bales as the kids are endlessly entertained with a host of old-fashioned games at the little people’s Festival. Make the most of the event by booking in for an Elgin weekend. Elgin Valley Tourism will connect festival-goers to the best deals.
Tickets for the Tru-Cape Trail Running Challenge are R100 for the 11km and R50 for the 5km available on http://www.quicket.co.za/events/15230-applewood-harvest-festival-trail-run/#/
MORE INFO:
http://www.applewood.co.za/what-we-do/our-harvest-festival/
Facebook: Applewood Preparatory School
Twitter: @applewoodprep
Instagram: @applewoodprep
Visitors to the market can pay a voluntary R10 per family entry fee towards the schools fund-raising efforts.
