Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 60, July 2014 | Page 23

SA’s Most
Beautiful
Recovery
Run
Now and again we receive a race report from a reader who
raves so much about a race that we just feel it should be
published as a stand-alone article to inspire others to also
go run the event. And with the second Houtkapper Trail
Run taking place this July near Knysna, we thought this
would get you fired up and off the couch to go for a forest
run. – BY CARSTEN FRIESCHMUTH

TAKING OUR TIME

After a short distance the run turns right into
the heart of the indigenous Knysna forests
and the route turns to single track through
undulating, breathtaking forest. The air is
clean under a full tree canopy, the spirit of the
runners is high and the mood jovial, and even
the steep climbs up the slopes of the hills do

not manage to lower the spirits. About 5km into
the trail run we get to the first water point, where
we are greeted by very friendly helpers serving
cold water, then it’s back to the trails, where the
aim has turned to a ‘going slow’ pace in order to
spend more time in this scenic environment.

Ma

near the top of the hill. The trail now follows a
gentle meandering descent along the slopes, and
by now we are well on our way to the finish, so
it does not take long for us to break out of the
canopy of the forest to the open gravel road that
signals that the finish is near.

WE WANT MORE!

We are greeted by the supporters at Quinta Da
Montanha cheering us on as we cross the finish
line. Where has the time gone, why are we
finished already? “Wow, that was great!” is all we
hear from our fellow runners, and the consensus
is that all three distances were awesome. So
thanks a million to the organisers, Knysna
Marathon Club’s Mihan Roos, Sam Housden and
their team for putting on t