The most closely contested race at Sunday’s grand finale in the 2024 Trail Series Super League, in partnership with WWF South Africa, was the girls 10-14 year old ‘Minimee’ category race in the 5.5km Short course - with just 3 seconds separating the top three in a thrilling sprint finish.
Leading the trio into the final 30m was Michelle Lessing, with Isla Middleton and Anmari Coetzee hot on her heels. But Middleton was on the charge and went for the inside bend which was promptly blocked by Lessing. Not discouraged, Middleton took the long way around and with significant momentum managed to steal the win by a second from Lessing, with Coetzee securing third. It was so close in fact, the final order had to be confirmed by video review!
Final race secures title
In the 13.8km long course, Christian Jacobsz and Simon Short went into the final race tied on points - leaving both the 2024 Super League and the Senior men's category title down to the final race. Jacobsz however left nothing to chance and clearly revelled on the fast trails of Oak Valley, pulling out a seven minute advantage over Short in the 13.8km Long course, scooping him both titles in the process.
Broken toe se gat
The 21km XL race saw another intense race at the sharp end, with Brandon Keeling, Josh Cawood and Fabio Gallota pushing each other hard over the hilly course. Going into the final race, Keeling and Cawood were separated by just two points in the overall Super League Senior category standings, meaning there was more at stake than just the race result! But despite a broken toe, Keeling found the gears needed to get ahead and stay there, winning the race in 1:30:02 - 23 seconds clear of 2nd placed Gallota, with Cawood securing third.
Consistency the key to being a Super League Champion
Four races made up the 2024 Trail Series Super League, in partnership with WWF South Africa - Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve, Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve and Oak Valley Estate.
There is a Super League competition in each of the three distances on offer, with the ‘Short’ races having three junior categories. Points are awarded by overall placement per race, with 400 points for the win and one point for every place below. Combined points over all four races results in a Super League standing - both overall and in category. So miss a race and down the order you go…
In the XL Super League it was Jonathan Edwards (1548 pts) and Nadia Goldberg (1379 pts) taking the overall titles in the mens and ladies competition. Louis Koen was Edwards closest challenger to Edwards, taking second with 1507 points, with Naomi Carr second to Goldberg with 1103 points.
Christian Jacobsz (1598 pts) and Josie Mccann (1449 pts) took their respective Long course Super League titles - Jacobsz by just a single point from Simon Short. Matthew Calvocoressi took 3rd overall in the mens, and Lisa Labuschagne and Nicole Lambon 2nd and 3rd respectively in the ladies competition.
The Short course Super League was dominated by Junior speedster Zachery Day (1589 pts), with Master runner Shelley van der Westhuizen (1483 pts) in the ladies competition. Special mention must be made of Junior runner Nikolas Lowther, who pushed Day in every race finishing 2nd overall, and only 11 points behind. Similar mention of two ‘Minimee’ runners Isla Middleton and Anmari Coetzee who both stuck it out to finish 2nd and 3rd respectively in the overall Super League standings.
Across the Super League age categories, there are some special mentions to be made - especially in the 6-10 year old ‘Peewee’ category and the 11-14 year old ‘Minimee’ category. Starting with the littlest - the Powter siblings Georgia and Oliver who both won their respective ‘Peewee’ categories, with Oliver amassing an amazing 1429 points from an average overall placing of 43rd per race. Lorcan Kelly and James van Niekerk competed furiously to bank 2nd and 3rd respectively.
In the ‘Minimee’ category it was Aaron Kelly (1541 pts) and Isla Middleton (1368 pts) securing the top spot, chased hard by Ben Landman in the boys League and Anmari Coetzee in the girls competition.
Istvan Meyer (1573 pts) won the Senior mens Super League title in the Short course, and was also third overall - the highest placed Senior, just 5 points behind Junior Nikolas Lowther.
Full race and Super League results
Oak Valley race results: https://shorturl.at/czTR0
Super League overall results: https://shorturl.at/PT3bH
Special thanks
We owe a huge amount of gratitude to WWF South Africa for their support. There are a number of different ways you can support their incredible conservation efforts, please check this link out for more information: https://donate.wwf.org.za/
Thanks to Pura, FinishTime, Bluewater Africa, Cuppa Joe, Immediate Medical and Brad Williams Sport Science for their valued engagement and support.
Then a huge shout out and thanks to all the Wildrunner crew, you know who you are and we couldn't do it without you.
And last but not least, to everyone who came out to run at the Trail Series Super League, we thank you for your support - without you there would be no TSSL!
Roll on 2025!
#TSSL2024