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Following the global trail running initiative started in 2011 in the USA, and continuing the trend of trail running organizers undeniable responsibility to tune into as many ways of being environmentally friendly as possible, all Wildrunner Events from the 1^st February 2017 will be “cup-less” events. 

“Basically any aid station providing hydration to participants will no longer be providing disposable cups, hence this will require each participant to provide his/her own cup,” says Owen Middleton, Wildrunner founder and MD.  “This will not only reduce our waste footprint in a huge way, but will enhance an environmental consciousness that together we can make a difference”.

In parallel to taking this cup-less stance, Wildrunner has taken the initiative to import one of the leading, BPA free, collapsible cup designs.  This durable cup weighs only 15g, and unlike it’s competition can take both hot and cold liquid.  These will be available for only R80 at the Trail Store on event day, as well as during the entry process.

The 2016 edition of the 32km Spur Silvermine Mountain XL began under grey skies as some of the Cape’s top trail runners came out to enjoy the magnificent Silvermine Nature Reserve.

This race sees runners traverse both Silvermine East and Silvermine West and really is a race of two halves.

In the men’s solo event, it was tight at the top as the top 5 were all within 30 seconds of each other at the first check point, 13km in, with up-and-coming Raydon Balie all smiles as he led veteran and defending champion Nicholas Rupanga, Ben Brimble, Rory Scheffer and Chad Gordon through the check-point in 01:15:20.

The second half of the race saw solo runners tackle 14km of Silvermine West trails and it was soon evident that this race was to become a game of cat and mouse, with the leaders marking each other until the final 5km to the finish.

At the 27km mark and the second check-point, it was Balie and Rupanga who once again checked in as the top 2. This is where Rupangas’ experience came to the fore as he pulled away on the descent to the finish to wrap up his second consecutive Spur Silvermine Mountain XL in a time of 02:47:48. Balie sealed his 2nd place on the podium in a time of 02:49:31 and Ben Brimble rounded off an impressive top 3 by crossing under the arch in 02:52:35.

In the Ladies 32km solo race there were two clear favourites and friends - Megan Mackenzie and Kate Mapham, who locked horns with Sandra Koblmüller, a professional triathlete from Austria who was first to the 13km check-point in a time of 01:25:18. Megan was hot on her heels in 2nd place with a time of 01:26:21 and third to check in was Kate Mapham, 01:34:23.

The next 14km saw Koblmüller put the hammer down as she relished the technical terrain and downhill to run into the second check-point in an accumulated time of 02:44:05, four and a half minutes ahead of Mackenzie and more than 20 minutes ahead of Mapham.

In the end there was no denying Koblmüller the victory as she powered her way over the 32km course in 03:07:49 with Mackenzie, who seemed to take a tumble out on course, cruising home in second place in a time of 03:14:24.

Mapham held off the charge to seal her spot on the podium with a time of 03:37:16.

TrailBusters leave their mark

In the Men’s team event the duo of Niel Swanepoel and Edward van der Merwe blew everyone away with a dominant display of running, coasting home in 2:45:31 - more than 15 minutes over the 2nd placed team, Team DJ. Team DJ claimed second place in 03:01:46 despite tough competition from the Llandudno trail surfers, as Robert Shaff and Michael de Kwaadsteniet ran a good race to take home third place, with an overall time of 03:05:24.

The Llandudno trail team rounded off a superb day for the lifeguards as the ladies (consisting of Linda Detering and Daniella Mihal) ran home in first, with a time of 03:30:23, with trail stalwarts Maxine Reilly and Charlotte Noble claiming an impressive 2nd overall in a time of 03:44:46. The Mamas, comprised of Natalie Marcus and Mmamapudi Kubjane, rounded off the top 3, crossing under the arch in 04:21:21.

In the Mixed team event, Cornel Smuts and Leentjie Visser proved that consistency counts as their respective leg positions remained unchanged, to come home first over the line with a time of 03:15:18 with team Just Wing It, made up of Ben Kooyman and Tessa Engelhardt, claiming 2nd mixed team overall with a time of 03:20:23.

Rounding out the top 3 mixed teams went to Jason Lammers and Marta Jakot of team Dos Cabras, who cruised home in 03:33:10.

It was another magical edition of the Spur Silvermine Mountain XL and a big thank you must go to our sponsors; Spur Steak Ranches, BOS Sport, La Sportiva and Protea Hotels.

For results click here and take a look at the photos here. 

Hennops River was the scene of the second instalment of The Spur Gauteng Winter Trail Series™ for 2015 as more than 1100 participants enjoyed a superb morning along the banks of the Hennops River.

As is customary, race 2 sees the addition of the XL course, an 18,7km route that offers a great variety of trail.

In the men’s race, it was the familiar face of Tranquil Gumbo who stormed his way to the title by winning in a time of 01:34:48 and by a phenomenal margin of nearly 10 minutes. Jaco Lalou claimed second over the line with a time of 01:43:17 with Rob Stewart taking last spot on the overall podium taking home 3rd place in a time of 01:43:47.

In the ladies race Estie Brits and Georgina Ayres went head to head and were running strong together before Brits pulled away around the 10km mark and opened up a comfortable gap to win in a time of 02:03:12. Georgina hung on to second place over the line with a still terrific time of 02:09:27, a mere two weeks after the four day, 150km Richtersveld Wildrun™! Sally Fenwick rounded out the top three by coming home in 02:15:19.

In the men’s long course Championship race, runners had to negotiate a 12,5km undulating trail and it was no surprise to see Edwin Sesipi out in front but this week he had newcomer, Fidel Ncube for company as they went hammer and tongs. In the end it was Sesipi who took top honours for the second week in a row with a time of 57:23 and was the only person to break the coveted hour barrier. Ncube, who is fast becoming a name to look out for, took home second place overall with a super time of 01:00:45 with Adriaan Cronje claiming 3rd overall by crossing under the arch in 01:03:57.

In the ladies race it was two from two for Lerentia Strydom as she ran an awesome race to claim top spot in a time of 01:08:55 with Nerissa van der Walt coming home in second place in 01:10:14. Last week’s runner up, Robyn Kaltenbrunn took home 3rd place overall in the ladies race with a time of 01:11:57.

Short course sprinting
The short course Challenge race was a super quick 4.65km and we didn’t have to wait long before the winners roared up the finishing straight.

This week, Janco Erasmus took the win in an incredible 21:08 with Ezra Ferreira hot on his heels, one second later in a time of 21:09 and young Keegan Dally a further second back to claim 3rd place and one of the most competitive podiums yet!

In the ladies race, Adél Terblanche claimed her second win of the Series as she came home in 22:58 with last week’s 3rd placed lady, Zoe Brentano, going one better this week as the second lady overall with a time of 24:33. Rounding out the top 3 was up and coming star, Caryn Phipson who at 14 years old has a bright future.

We hope all the fathers enjoyed their special day and we look forward to welcoming you at Segwati for race 3 this Sunday!

A big thank you to our sponsors Spur Steak Ranches, BOS Ice Tea, Protea Hotels and Graham Beck Wines.

Click here for full results and here for photos.