As one of South Africa’s most competitive trail races to date, The Drakensberg Northern Trail is attracting runners from around country on the 19th March 2016. The race starts and finishes at the top of Oliviershoek Pass at a venue aptly called “The Border Post”. While the event starts and finishes in the Freestate, the challenging 40km route drops off the escarpment into KwaZulu-Natal for a period before climbing back up to the finish line. The race also as the opening event to the South African Skyrunner® Series and as SA Long Distance Trail Championships. Both the mens’ and the womens’ field will have to battle it out for the top of the podium with some big trail names confirmed on the starting line. Equally a number of relative unknowns have also had their names put forward to take the title, view the two quality line-ups below.
While the competitive side to trail running continues to grow to new levels in South Africa, the interest in the sport as a means to adventure is growing even stronger. More people who would not consider themselves prime athletes are taking on tough challenges in the mountains. Drakensberg Northern Trail has partnered with TrailLab, a company based in Johannesburg that offers trail camps and clinics with two of South Africa’s top trail runners- husband and wife duo Christiaan and Landie Greyling. While Christiaan will be racing, Landie’s presence at the event will be in a supporting role this time around as a TrailLab ambassador. The event also offers 20km, 10km and 5km courses for participants looking for something more moderate.
Race Director, Andrew Booth from KZN Trail Running had this to say about the upcoming trail championships “Firstly it’s an honour to be chosen to host the championship, we are in for some great racing up front. Equally exciting is our partnership with TrailLab at the event, what they are offering is a unique way of participating in events, under the guidance of some South Africa’s best trail runners. I couldn’t think of a better way of taking on the challenge and furthering your running.”
You can follow the build up to the event and race day itself through social media.
www.facebook.com/draknorthtrail
www.twitter.com/draknorthtrail
Use the hashtag #DNT2016 on all your social media posts.
Supporting Sponsors and Organisations:
Greenfire Lodges, Brooks Running, The South African Skyrunning Association, KZN Trail Running, TrailLab and Trail Running SA
Women Elites:
Nicolette Griffioen
Megan Mackenzie
Su Don-Wauchope
Marzelle van der Merwe
Nicky Booyens
Men Elites:
Iain Don-Wauchope
Christiaan Greyling
Lucky Mahlangu
Johardt Van Heerden
Pedro Calderon
Bruce Arnett
Dillon McEvoy
Chris Strydom
Rory Scheffer
Kane Reilly
Stewart Chaperon