Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 64, November 2014 | Page 24

GREAT TRAILS O

F SOUTH AFRICA

CAPE RE
EASTERN

CAPE

24

CIFE RUN

BROUGHT to you by

Words & pics by
Jacques Marais,
author of:

WHY GO

Port Elizabeth makes for a rocking trail running
destination if you are in a beachy mood, and the
Summerstrand beaches and boardwalk make
for an excellent morning run. The weather is
mild for most of the year, the locals are friendly,
and you’d be surprised at all the cool and funky
eateries, deli’s and coffee shops that have sprung
up over the past few years.

WHAT YOU GET

Low tide makes for easy running beaches with
minimal camber, occasional rocky shelves and
gorgeous views, especially at sunrise, so choose
your tide right. Alternatively, the boardwalks
winding amidst the dunes mean you can
meander along the Indian Ocean on springy
wood rather than sand.

WHERE TO RUN

Hobie Beach offers a secure parking area and
easy meeting point. From here, head in a

southerly direction, keeping the Indian Ocean
on your left. After approximately 1.5km, you will
reach the beginning of the newly constructed
boardwalks stacking up past the adjoining
Pollock Beach. These may be slippery when
damp or dewy, so concentrate, even if you
are distracted by pods of passing bottle-nosed
dolphins, or the occasional southern right
whale. After a further 1.5km, it is back onto the
beach, with a wide tidal strip stretching all the
way to Cape Recife. Having done 7km, you can
take time out to admire the historic lighthouse,
with 270-degree views across the azure Indian
Ocean, and also look out for oyster catchers,
albatross, gannets and other marine birds, as
you will be in the Cape Recife Nature Reserve.
Now you have options: Head straight back to
the starting point for a 14km run, or do a bit
of mixing and matching on the way back by
crossing Marine Drive and venturing onto the
many footpaths within the Nelson Mandela
Metropolitan University grounds (also a
private nature reserve). Or you can go longer:
Approximately 1.5km from the point, there is
a trail heading in a westerly direction – if you
follow this and turn at the dune field, you will
add approximately 3km to your run. Feeling
even more adventurous? Continue past the dune
fields until you hit the rocky coastal section on
the way to Noordhoek Beach, then connect
onto the system of sandy coastal pathways
from here. You can follow these or the verge
of Marine Drive back to the parking area for an
extended run of around 20km. Finally, you can
add another 5km to your run by heading to the
harbour wall across King’s Beach and back.

FAST FACTS: CAPE RECIFE
RETURN ROUTE
GRADING: Easy to moderate
TERRAIN: Beach, boardwalks, cement
ACCESS REQUIREMENTS: Free access
TRAIL MARKINGS: None
FACILTIES: Shops, toilets and parking
at start
CELL RECEPTION: 100% coverage
BEWARE: High tide
MORE INFO: www.caperecife.co.za

GETTING THERE

From anywhere in Port Elizabeth, head down
towards the o