TRAIL
( MIS ) ADVENTURES trail ( mis ) adventures by CARLA LEA FARINA
The Trails are Calling
I have received a number of requests to write about the cool places in and around Gauteng to get some cool trail time in . Yes , its true , we don ’ t have gorgeous mountains , we don ’ t have epic forests and we don ’ t have infinite beaches , but you know what we do have ? An amazing trail community that makes the most of what is around us , and if you just look around , you will find some amazing adventures waiting for you .
I will happily enter an ultra-trail without thinking twice . Maybe your trail journey will turn out like mine , or maybe you will fall in love with the shorter distances , but I believe firmly that you will not regret giving it a try .
Going to the Barn and trying a ‘ Shane Race ’ is a perfect place to start , with varying distances and venues to choose from , and loads of like-minded people for company . ( OK , not so much during COVID , but this will hopefully change soon .) The net result will inevitably be that you will get bitten by the trail bug .
Hitting the trails at Kings Kloof
Comet loves a ‘ Shane Race ’
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have a friend , Shane , who organises trail races from various venues in Gauteng – mainly in and around Pretoria – and let me tell you , I have had some epic adventures , and misadventures , at his races ( www . trailadventure . co . za ). There are obviously the usual ‘ mud on your face ’ adventures , but the last time I ran at the Big Red Barn – which , by the way , is beautifully marked and virtually impossible to get lost at – I managed to get so lost that I eventually had to WhatsApp face-time Shane so he could talk me out of the mess I got myself into . I ended up doing about three extra kilometres … but I didn ’ t mind , because I had such fun just being out on the trail , and once I got back to a place where there were actually other people around , I had fun chatting to fellow runners and making the most of my time out there .
I hope that all of you who are in two minds about trail will give it a try , and hey , if you are extra adventurous , then feel free to join me . You will get lost , nearly fall off a mountain or two , and then probably decide to enter your first hundred-miler . Sounds good , doesn ’ t it ? And if you have decided to take the plunge into trail running , here are some cool places in the Gauteng area for you to try out : Kliprivier , Thaba Trails , Kings Kloof , Cradle Moon and Van Gaalens Cheese Farm . There are many more , but these are just some of my favourites . Oh , and you simply must go and try an Adventure Run event ( a . k . a . a Shane Race ). Just remember , at his races you must follow the white rocks … and never , ever think you know better and cross the danger tape !
PS : Stay tuned for next month ’ s episode , where I will be sharing my ( mis ) adventures at my next ultra , the Backyard Ultra at Van Gaalens , happening on 21 February .
The best part of Shane ’ s events are that his races are dog-friendly , and it is such fun to take your four-legged friend with you . In my case , Comet gets so excited that he can hardly contain himself – and I am pleased to report that he is yet to have a misadventure with me , but has had plenty of adventures .
Images : Courtesy Carla Lea Farina
My point is that trail running has become such an amazing community to be a part of , and whether you are doing a ‘ Shane Race ’ ( as I like to call them ), or you ’ re simply out on your favourite trail for a solo morning adventure , you will have an amazing time . You will explore parts of your own neighbourhood you didn ’ t even know were there , you will often come across friendly people , and you will become part of a really amazing community . There are trails that are fast and short , and trails that are longer . You can walk them , or you can run them . You can do a race and win medals , or you can head out for a relaxed run with your favourite people , or your dog . Granted , in my case even relaxed runs can all too quickly end in some kind of misadventure – but that ’ s just me , you will probably be more careful .
You Know You Want To !
However , for those that may be ‘ on the fence ’ about trail running , this month ’ s column is aimed at you , because I am here to tell you that you should go out and give it a try . We have so many cool trails in Gauteng and there really is something for everyone . You also never know where your trail running journey will take you unless you give it a try . Six years ago I could barely run 5km on the road , and now
About the Author
While Carla ’ s ‘ day job ’ is Head Tennis Coach and Director of Tennis at Game Set Match Tennis in Johannesburg , her second love is trail running , which she tackles with an unquenchable thirst for adventure , a never-saydie attitude , and a healthy sense of humour about all the misadventures that befall her on the trails !
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