TRAIL RUNNING
Fun on Dress Up Day
The 2022
AFRICANX Series
One of the many highlights of the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 3-Day Stage Race is Dress Up Day , which will be celebrated on the third and final stage , on Monday 21 March . As Michael Meyer , Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN , says , “ One thing that Dress Up Day has taught us is that the trail running community has a great sense of humour , and runners and spectators are literally in stitches at the start of the stage .”
“ Each year the outfits just get better and better . We ’ ve had runners dressed as super-heroes or villains , we ’ ve had doctors and nurses , trail runners dressed in animal suits , there ’ s been various Disney Characters , and even sporting heroes , to mention just a few . Last year a team arrived at the start line on Day three carrying a kayak on their shoulders !” he says .
There is also a competitive element to the costumes , thanks to the Dress Up Competition , which Michael says adds an element of creativity and fun to an already exciting event . “ The rule is very simple , we are looking for commitment and flair , and both runners need to wear their outfits for the duration of the stage , from start to finish . There are awesome sponsor prizes up for grabs as well as bragging rights for a year , so we challenge all entrants to let their creativity reign .”
The THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN is now part of a national series of four events , including the original three-day event in Grabouw , followed by twoday and one-day events :
19-21 April 2022 THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN Venue : Houw Hoek Hotel , Grabouw , Western Cape Distances : Day 1 : +/ - 24km ; Day 2 : +/ - 32km ; Day 3 : +/ - 18km
20-21 August 2022 THIRSTI AFRICANX XPLORE – Van Gaalen Venue : Van Gaalen Kaasmakerij , Hartbeespoort , North West Province Distances : Day 1 : +/ - 20km ; Day 2 : +/ - 15km
17 September 2022 THIRSTI AFRICANX XPERIENCE – Paul Cluver Venue : Paul Cluver Wine Estate , Grabouw , Western Cape Distances : 42km Long , 24km Medium , 12km Short & 6km Family Fun Run
8 October 2022 THIRSTI AFRICANX XPERIENCE – Gauteng Venue & Distances TBC
Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and founder of the event , Michael Meyer , says , “ It ’ s the combination of sensational routes , passionate runners and amazing sponsors that make the AFRICANX experience so special . As the title sponsor of the series , THIRSTI has injected a new ‘ thirst for life ’ into the events , and together with our apparel sponsor , First Ascent , we are excited to extend the footprint of the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN . We can ’ t wait to introduce more runners to a trail running experience like no other , in a national series of sensational trail running events .”
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