Trail runners captivated by Stage One of the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 2-Day XPLORE

“Let Nature Give You A Run For Your Money”

Celebrating its debut at the Van Gaalen Cheese Farm (Hartbeespoort, North-West Province) on Saturday 20 August 2022, Stage One of the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 2-Day XPLORE treated trail running enthusiasts of all fitness levels and expertise to a fantastic route experience.

Living up to the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN reputation, the 2-Day XPLORE is the perfect prelude to what to expect from the flagship 3-Day event, boasting magnificent trails, spectacular views, mouth-watering food, a relaxed atmosphere, and a great vibe.

Retsepile Khotle (Alberton, Gauteng) led the charge in the Men’s Race completing the +-20km Stage One route in an impressive time of 01 hour 16 minutes 24 seconds. “I was going with the lead runners; the pace was smart and gentle. I’m not sure at what distance I made my break, but it was after the water crossings. I wanted to reach the climbs first, so that if it was difficult, I’d have time to deal with it. The down hills were easier and very interesting. When I reached the flat sections I decided to go for it. I didn’t worry about tomorrow, I just believed that it was the best for me today. It’s also what I’ve been doing in my training sessions. I’m used to the pain in training, so I’m used to the pain in racing. Today is the result of my training. I like the AFRICANX because of the friendships that are made and because it has the most beautiful trails.” Thabang Madiba came in second, while Bradley Claase finished third.

Anneleen Swanepoel (Centurion) took the lead in the Women’s Race completing the +-20km Stage One route in a deserving time of 01 hour 37 minutes 44 seconds. “The Stage One start was quite easy, there weren’t many rocks and it felt good, but then the hills started. At first, I was able to run the hills, but there came a point where I actually had to walk it and I feel like I had to crawl it. The down hills were nice, and I felt like I could recover a bit. The way back was flattish and not too bad. It was a very nice race, and I really enjoyed it. My main goal is to enter the big AFRICANX (referring to the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 3-Day Stage Race), maybe next year or the year thereafter. For now I’m very excited to take on the smaller AFRICANX races. It’s a nice training series for the big AFRICANX. Tomorrow, I’ll take it slow and see how it goes.” Marise Prinsloo came in second, with Letshego Zulu finishing in third place.

THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN ambassadors Franza Landman (East London) and Blake Dyason (Hout Bay, Cape Town)
loved every minute of Stage One of the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 2-Day XPLORE.

“My friends and I had such a lovely run,” says Landman, who is counting down to the Comrades Marathon next weekend. “This time round I could take in the beauty of the Stage. The scenery was different to what I’m used to. The sugarcane was absolutely magnificent. My aim was to go and have fun, and I had loads of it. We really had a party on the trails. The vibe was amazing at the water stations, and I had a bit of a dance there with my friends. The route was doable, but not boring. It kept you entertained. There were a few technical down hills, but nothing drastic. It was just the perfect route and distance.”

“This event is amazing. It’s a smaller group, but so intimate and so much fun with such amazing people from all over the country,” says Dyason. “I’ve really enjoyed meeting so many amazing people. It is so special. Today’s route was incredible. Every corner had an unexpected beauty from running through cane arches into single track in a forest like section and then down into open valleys. It was just so beautiful. I think the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 2-Day XPLORE is the start of something that is going to go on for many years and is going to become big and amazing. Everyone is going to leave here with new friends and incredible memories.”

“Over the two-day period trail runners can look forward to experiencing a massively diverse landscape with plush green overgrowth in some sections and dry rocky terrain like “Poffadder” in others,” says Victor Schipper, Van Gaalen Owner. “The views are spectacular, and the venue is beautifully set along the Skeerpoort River with orange African sunsets behind a backdrop of the Magaliesberg. It’s a privilege to be working with Stillwater Sports as we host the very first THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 2-Day XPLORE at the Van Gaalen Cheese Farm.”

STAGE TWO: 2022 THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 2-Day XPLORE

Date: Sunday 21 August 2022
Venue: Van Gaalen Cheese Farm (Hartbeespoort, North-West Province)
Time: 08:00
Format: 2-Day Stage Trail Run
Stage 2: Distance: +-16km
Ascent: 400m
Description: Moderate to Advance Technical Route, with steep and rocky climbs and downhills in the mid-section of the route. 60% Single Track / 40% Jeep Track

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For additional information on the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 3-Day, 2-Day and/or 1-Day events please visit www.stillwatersports.com, contact Stillwater Sports on 082 991 0045 or email entries@stillwatersports.com.

More about THIRSTI:
THIRSTI is a uniquely sourced natural spring water that is rich in minerals and sourced from two extraordinary locations. Its primary bottling plant was founded in 2015 at a Normandien farm in the foothills of the Klein Drakensberg mountains. In 2021, THIRSTI expanded operations into the mountain basin of Tulbagh, surrounded by exquisite mountains and drained by the Klein Berg River and its tributaries.?Each source has its own state-of-the-art bottling plant where the water is filtered, tested and bottled, ready to be enjoyed by consumers. The THIRSTI product range includes Natural Spring Water, Sparkling Water, Sparkling Flavoured Water and an iconic sports drink, THIRSTI ISOFIT+. The South African brand proudly partners with the Springboks, Absa Cape Epic, Comrades Marathon, Blue Bulls Company, Sharks Rugby, THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN series of events and the Nedbank Running Club. For more information about THIRSTI, please visit www.thirsti.co.za

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