Kirstenbosch delivers!
What an spectacular balmy summers evening to kick start the six race Trail Series® Super League in 2022!
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens always delivers, and to have the privilege of racing through this national treasure is simply goose bump stuff. The three race distances were 5.2km short, 9.5km long and a 14.2km XL - all concluding with a snaking route right through the heart of Kirstenbosch.
With the COVID fog of the last two years slowly beginning to clear, it was so awesome to have a capacity field again, to feel the buzz and to see and chat to so many familiar faces in our trail running community. The heart of 15 years of short course trail running is pumping again!
As usual the front end was a fast and furious one, with Llewellyn Groeneveld (XL), Brandon Keeling (Long) and Mikaeel Moolla (Short) setting the pace in their respective distances. Llewellyn's winning time of 1:01:37 set a new bar, breaking the course record set in 2020 by Michael Davidson (1:06:44) by over 6 minutes. Siviwe Nkombi's Long course record of 39:38 set in 2020 still stands, as does Anele Bams Short course record of 23:57.
Emily Djock (XL), Caro Jordaan (Long) & Elise Groeneveld (Short) won their respective ladies races. Elise set a new blistering hot ladies record on the 5.2km route, being the first to go under 30min, finishing in 29:26. This is three minutes faster than the previous ladies course record!
William Inggs not only took third overall, but absolutely owned the 'Minimee' category (11-14yrs) with over a six minute lead on his nearest rival.
Rupert Good won the 6-10yr olds 'Peewee' category, coming 13th overall.
Congrats to all the finishers for completing race 1 of 6! For full results click here For photos click here
Next up in the TSSL is a brand new area and route at Ida's Valley Nature Area near Stellenbosch. The date Sat 26th Feb. For all race info and to enter: www.trailseries.co.za/idas-valley-nature-area
Keep abreast of the news by following the Trail Series Facebook page or Wildrunner Instagram
#TSSL22