COVID-19 has been no picnic for anyone and as event organisers, this won't be letting up any time soon. The gathering ban, announced back in March by the President, will be maintained until we are out of all lockdown levels, and when this will happen is anyones guess.
Unfortunately, this means that we are having to re-imagine the way we do things to stay alive, and that means exploring ways of offering racing without gathering. We want to maintain the backbone of competition - that being a comparison of your time versus another over the same race course. What this means for the TSSL is that we are working on putting all the details together to allow you to race this on your own time.
To do this, we are arranging permissions from the event venues to open the trails to you, so that you can run the race course, tracking yourself...
Virtual races are the new norm as a result of COVID-19, and probably will be for some time. Unlike most of the plethora of general distance virtual races on offer, we want to get back to the core of competition which is a comparison of your time versus another over the same race course. Introducing the Trail Series® Phantom Rally (TSPR):
One race course per month
One virtual race course set per month (called a special stage) with three distances on offer and 30 days to set your best time (run as many times as you can). There will be 12 race courses over the entire TSPR and all within the greater Cape Town area (we plan to roll this out in Gauteng as well, when possible).
Monthly launch
The next months stage detail will be launched on the 25th of each month giving you a few days to get prepared. All entrants will be emailed...
Late last night most of us witnessed our President declaring a state of emergency in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic that is spreading like a wildfire throughout the world. With this state of emergency came a ban on gatherings of more than 100 people, which has in effect put the events industry on its knees for the foreseeable future.
The big question in many people's minds right now is for how long this state of emergency will be in place. The reality is we are in uncharted territory here and hence we have no idea how long it’s going to take to get on top of this outbreak. We do know that 14 days is the stated incubation period of the COVID-19 virus, and we also know that schools will be closed at least until the end of the easter weekend.
So with this in mind we are postponing the two...
Trail heroes of the Trail Series Super League gathered at the Tygerberg Nature Reserve on Sunday 23 February to tackle the rolling ups and downs of this lessor-known gem of a Nature Reserve and it's perfectly manicured hiking trails. But this reserve has a reputation for having claws, and so the battle to Tame the Tyger commenced.
A cool morning on the grassy banks of Olienhout Park below the reserve welcomed the runners. A clear view across the valley to Table Mountain and the Greenpoint Stadium set the scene. First up was the inaugural 16km XL race, where one strong batch of runners set off to find out what all the tyger talk was about. Advice to save some fight for the end is accurate, in that the front of the course is loaded with climb. But the long, flowing downhill to the finish line allows for an exciting finish, particularly at the sharp end.
Word...
When we said that Race 2 would “bring the heat” we were, in fact, referring to the trail talent that would be lining up. Well, we got the racing snakes, and we got scorching temperatures, as well as hot prizes and all the warmth and fun that defines the Trail Series® experience.
The combination of diverse agriculture of Appleberry Farm and the flowing Lebanon Forest mountain bike single track provided the basis for this exclusive rollercoaster of exciting running. The new 20km XL course attracted a fresh crowd and saw some long course runners moving up to the biggie of the day.
The XL battle lines were drawn at Kirstenbosch in race one, and a similar storyline ensued. Top spot was hard fought between Jono Black and Michael Davidson, with former triathlete, Davidson, claiming victory in 1.20.16. Black followed 30seconds later, with Kyle Herring in third. Meg MacKenzie (pictured here), a very well-known trail talent from the...
New, fresh and a slam dunk hit with the Cape trail community, the brand new Trail Series Super League kicked off on Tuesday 14 January with a Kirstenbosch classic, that delivered on all levels.
A balmy, humid evening welcomed nearly 900 runners across the three new courses. A choice between 5.2.km, 9.5km and 14.2km offered everyone an option. The staggered start between the three races and various batches spread the field over pristine Kirstenbosch Gardens trails.
The event offered an exclusive sunset run through the gardens, with a spectacular summer display of flora for any runner not smashing it out at the sharp end to appreciate.
The 14.2km XL was a new addition, attracting a premium crew of medium distance trail specialists. A lead pack made up of Michael Davidson, Jono Black, Robert Schaff, Drew Romans, Gimo Mattusa, Will Battersby and Damian Will lead the charge, with Leanda Du Bruyn in hot pursuit....
Enter up front for the TSSL 2020 and receive this TSSL 2020 running top courtesy of Boldgear worth R295!
This lekker tee is also up for sale on a race by race basis.
#TSSL2020
For 12 years the Cape Summer and Winter Trail Series® have been the foundation of short course trail running in the Cape, introducing thousands of people to this wonderful, healthy sport - from kids as young as five to our most mature runner at an amazing 83 years of age.
Over the same 12 year period the sport of trail running has evolved and grown hand over fist both locally and internationally. From the uber tough Mountain Challenges, to the internationally acclaimed Otter Trail Run; the 5 day 200km Namibia Crossing, Ultra Trail Cape Town and the more recent craze of 100 milers that have been launched, have all brought a wonderful depth and variety to our sport.
And as we approach 2020, we felt it’s time the Trail Series® evolved too. So, it is with great pleasure that we introduce the Trail Series® Super League, or the TSSL for short. So...
The Trail Series has been a key thread in the tapestry of the South African trail running community for 12 years. With each series, new trail runners are born, and new talent is unearthed. No two races have ever told the same story.
On Saturday 10 August Wildrunner closed off the 12th Cape Winter Trail Series in style and in perfect weather, in the beautiful coastal town of Kleinmond. With a solid growth on 2017 and 2018 numbers, nearly 4 000 entries were received over the four week series, with very exciting growth in the newbie sector.
The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, surrounding Kleinmond, was the diverse and incredibly picturesque host of the final race. Coastal pathways, forests, mountain trails covered in dense protea blooms, and a view of the startlingly blue ocean below provided runners with some of the very best in Cape trail running. Over the 13.9km Long Course, the 8km...
A Paarl pearler...
In the heart of Paarl, lies a serene and scenic reserve with dramatic granite rock formations, abundant plant and bird life, and some pretty good running trails! This was the race course for the near sell-out race three in the Cape Winter Trail Series. It's the fastest race course of this four race series and it showed. Runners gathered at the iconic Taal Monument from 7am in the misty morning light, pinning numbers and holding on to jackets, beanies and hot coffee for as long as they possibly could.
The 'A' batch in the long course once again featured Maties speedster Llewelyn Groeneveld, on the hunt for a third course record after nailing the records at race 1 and 2. Runners climbed from Taal Monument, in to the reserve where wild olives, rock candlewoods, waaboom trees and an abundance of other Proteas species lined the misty trails. The usual sweeping views from the top were marred by a...