Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 113, December 2018 | Page 27

ADVERTORIAL
Seasoned race director Francios Theron is no stranger to organising events that are all about the participants! This year he
decided to take the Nissan Trailseeker Series one step further by introducing a trail running component to the incredibly
popular mountain bike events, and it’s proven a huge success!
T
he new series hit the ground running in May 2018 with the inaugural event
at Buffelsdrift Trail Park near Pretoria, where over 600 trail runners lined up
for the challenge. “We were ecstatic with the turnout at the first event,” says
Francois. “It showed us there was a gap for a series like this, and it just motivated
us to make it the best series trail running has to offer!”
This series understands what makes for great trail races: Amazing, unique routes
that challenge and reward runners who take them on, with distances for everyone
in order to make it a family event. For that reason, the 2019 series will continue
to offer the popular 3km Pram Jam as well as the standard 5km, 10km and
21km courses. “Families need races that cater for everyone, and not just from
a spectating point of view. We want to create an event that makes it possible
for everyone to take part, which we achieved this year, and next year will offer
something for everyone again, so start planning the getaways now!” says Francois.
Grab Your Diary
calendar, make sure you add these Nissan Trailseeker Series dates:
12 May – Trailseeker Series #1 Legends MX, Gauteng
30 June – Trailseeker Series #2 Buffelsdrift, Gauteng
7 July – Trailseeker Series #3 Hemel & Aarde, Western Cape
18 August – Trailseeker Series #4 Wellington, Western Cape
15 September – Trailseeker Series #5 Van Gaalens, North West
10 November – Trailseeker Series #6 Cullinan, Gauteng
Not only will you get amazing routes to run, water points so well stocked that you
may want to hang around longer because of the delicious snacks on offer, and
amazing prize money for those competing, but when you finish you can enjoy a hot
shower as well as a beer garden and food vendors that will reward your hard efforts
with great food for the whole family!
2018 Nissan Trailskeer Trail Series Overall Winners
In 2018 the series featured four events in the Gauteng area and two in the Western
Cape, giving it a national flavour, and in 2019 the series of six events is set to be
even better, with two new venues at Hemel & Aarde near Hermanus in the Western
Cape, and Van Gaalens in the North-West. The Hemel & Aarde Valley is one of the
most beautiful areas in our country and was part of the mountain bike series
before 2018, while Van Gaalens is also known as “Fun Gaalens”,
and is known for its tough routes and fun vibes.
So if you are planning your
2019 trail running
21km Men
1. Tranquil Gumbo
2. Adrian Chambers
3. Jacques Buys 10km Men
1. Dean Chambers
2. Graeme Chambers
3. Rudi Barnard 5km Men
1. Christiaan Greyling
2. Zander Du Toit
3. Werner Gouws
21km Women
1. Poppy Mlambo
2. Kate Roberts
3. Leani Grimes 10km Women
1. Jane Thompson
2. Megan Chambers
3. Johanita Coetzer 5km Women
1. Janette le Grange
2. Germaine Kempff
3. Emma Du Toit
More info and entries at
https://trailseekerseries.co.za.
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