ADVERTORIAL
Trail Running Bliss in the Koue Bokkeveld
If you scroll to the Tankwa Trail event page on the Dryland Events website , you are greeted with the byline , “ Run . Have Fun . Eat . Sleep . Repeat .” There could not be a better way to sum up the first of its kind , the Dryland Trail Lab , Tankwa Trail Experience weekend , held in late March . – BY BARBARA COLE
There was an element of “ work ” involved in the weekend , with the two days serving as a vehicle to fine-tune the upcoming event and get valuable feedback from a varied crew of individuals , in an attempt to cater to every runner ’ s needs come the actual Tankwa Trail weekend on the 1st and 2nd of May .
The Dryland Trail Lab is a unique approach by the Dryland Events team to really dive deeply into what it is that participants would want from a specific event , bearing in mind the target market for something like the Tankwa Trail . Essentially , it is a weekend of trails , good food , fun , great hospitality , like-minded people , beautiful surroundings , crisp , fresh air , and a chance to really just enjoy it all in a welcoming and inclusive environment .
The race village venue at Kaleo Guest Farm , some 20km north of Prince Alfred Hamlet , near Ceres , offers an oasis-like feel , with plenty of different accommodation options available , and with lush , rolling lawns to relax on post-run , along with plenty of shade from majestic old oak trees . We got to experience the glamping tents , which were fantastic – none of the mission of putting up your own tent , or having to worry about all the kit you would need to set up camp . White linen bedding and blankets are all provided , along with your own electricity points and lighting inside the tents . Just arrive and settle in , no mess , no fuss !
Trail Running Heaven
The routes are perfect for the novice trail runner , or a roadie transitioning to trail , who wants to experience a multi-stage trail race , but not be completely overwhelmed by long distances , crazily steep inclines or really technical terrain . The trails meander through routes lined with sky-high protea bushes , extensive views of the magical Koue Bokkeveld Mountains and crazy , rock formations . The terrain covers jeep track , short sections of technical rocky single-track , easy flowing single-track , and one or two sandy sections .
Welcome breaks in the route come in the form of impressively well-stocked Biogen water points , offering all your taste buds might wish for , to keep you sustained for the next part of your trail adventure . If you are fit and prepared , you will be able to enjoy all aspects of the route on both days with ease , but even if you ’ re not so fit , you will still manage .
Once you ’ ve had a chance to catch your breath back at the race village – and maybe exchange one or two ‘ war stories ’ from the trails with fellow runners – you can nourish yourself back to life with the amazing food on offer . All tastes and nutritional needs are catered for , with beautiful , tasty meals lovingly prepared by the team . Time to put your feet up and relax is then plentiful on the Saturday afternoon , allowing you to get ready for the social vibes of the Saturday night , and then it ’ s time to “ Repeat ” on Sunday morning !
Images : Barbara Cole
If it is trail time , good food , great company , incredible hospitality , a home away from home feel , laughs , creature comforts and a
trail community you are after , then the Tankwa Trail will not
28 ISSUE 140 APRIL 2021 / www . modernathlete . co . za disappoint . More info can be found at https :// tankwatrail . co . za