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Entry form available HERE

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Sven's Terra Firma Trails - Kaapsehoop Trail A: Kaapsehoop - Barrett's Coaches - Wattles Loop

Introducing Mpumalanga as a Trail running destination, with regular trail reports and updates on what, where and how.

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Kaapsehoop has probably got to be one of the trails locally that get the most attention from trails runners and probably the reason most Nelspruit runners get into Trail. 

Being ±26km from Nelspruit its definitely one of the closest long trails in the area and has a lot to offer. The whole Kaapsehoop hiking trail is about 70km of mostly runnable, marked trail with not too difficult technical sections. 

I'm breaking it up into two more manageable routes. The Florence Hill route and this, the Wattles route. Wattles being the longer of the two at around 38km. Sorry to be guessing this, I went two weeks in a row and the first time the GPS stopped at Barrett's and the second time I only remembered to switch it on at Barrett's. 

Well the route to Wattles starts in the middle of the tiny town. Park your car and head out to the road, turn right and run about 300m until you see a trail to your left and a signpost that says Battery Creek Waterfall. This section starts off in the forest with a few short climbs and exits out onto sandstone trail that winds its way towards Barrett's Coaches. It's pretty straight forward going and well signposted. Its a short section to Barrett's at around 9.5km. 

From Barrett's you exit the small entrance gate and turn left up the hill towards the forestry offices and a short section of tar. Keep going and cross a cattle gate, follow the signs until you begin heading down into a ravine below. This section is probably the most technical section of the entire trail and winds its way along the edge of a mountain until it exits out onto a flat plain where you will find an intersection with wooden signposts - one saying Kaapsehoop Hut and another Wattles. Take the Wattles route (unless you are already tired which case opt for Kaapsehoop). The trail is pretty flat and runnable from here all the way to Wattles, winding along the edge of the escarpment with amazing views of the valley below. 

From Wattles you head towards a large communication tower and once again wind along the edge of the escarpment following the well marked trail with amazing trails all the way back to Kaapsehoop Hut. Order a pancake at Koek n Pan or any other restaurant and you're sorted. 

Please note that the Weather in Kaapsehoop is very unpredictable. You can have amazing clear skies on one day and thick mist the next. Winter is very nippy but this time of year is super ideal. The new grasses are growing and the trail isn't too overgrown.

Sven Musica

Race Report - God's Window Race

One of the most scenic races in the Lowveld, the Build It God's Window Race took place on the 5th of October and once again confirmed why I rate this race among my top three favourite races. It was my second race I ran when I started running five years ago and last Saturday I completed my 4th God's Window Race.

It is just one of those races that you should forget about your time/pace and just enjoy the magnificent scenery that is on offer. Last Saturday wasn't any different. The best weather you can ask for. To fully appreciate this race I would recommend the half marathon but a word of caution - don't pitch up unprepared. That appreciation comes at a price with hill upon hill and if that is not bad enough you have the altitude factor to contend with! It definitely played a role in my case or maybe I am simply not as fit as I thought I am.

However if you can overcome this monster hill and the "altitude sickness" you are rewarded with the most amazing scenery and hopefully you can even share and enjoy it with a club mate.

Running back is a breeze, literally! This is where you can just relax and allow gravity to "get you down". I thought it was excellent training for the upcoming Kaapsehoop Marathon.

Legogote Villagers did a fantastic job as always, especially considering that they are based in White River. I am a bit concerned about the lack of support from my fellow club members. Fortunately some excellent performances and podium finishes made up for our lack of participants to a certain extent.

Well done and thank you to all the Nedbank LVCC runners that participated and congratulations to our podium finishers.

I sincerely hope that next year we can attend in greater numbers.

Adriaan du Plessis  

 

Run 4 Rhino Challenge Photo Gallery

Some great images of the Run for Rhino Challenge | Nelspruit on Showme Nelspruit.

Running In Circles Newsletter October 2013

CHAIRMAN’S CHAT

I want to start off by thanking all the committee members and club members who did a fantastic job in hosting our annual NEDBANK OM DIE DAMMETJIE run on the 7th of September. Nedbank made a huge effort in attending and supporting the run. As a club we can be very proud as we have received various compliments from runners all over. Huge thank you to every club member that gave up their time on the Saturday to assist with the race!

Our club also assisted in the RUN FOR RHINO event held the past weekend. Thanks again to all our members that assisted Helen during this challenging charity initiative held by MTPB and Rhino Buddies.  Thousands of rural athletes participated in fun runs leading up to this day and the aim of education of conservation combined with identifying future running talent was achieved. The final event held on Saturday unfortunately did not have a great turnout. Our club only assisted in the administering of the run event.  Who knows, we might get more involved next year for this very worthy cause.

Well done to all our runners that participated in the SA Cross country and SA 21km championships earlier this month. You did yourselves and your club proud.

Many of you may have noticed we are now LVCC “twits”! We can be followed on twitter and are being followed by some great personalities and running publications. See the blog for our link.

Please remember to book and pay deposits for the 2014 Skukuza run accommodation. The club will need to pay all deposits by end of October. Also to book November 30^th in your dairies for the last race we host for the year followed that evening by our year end function! Please email your theme suggestions to lvccrun@gmail.com.

Good luck to all the runners doing the 3 Towers cycling even this coming weekend.  This unfortunately takes place on the same date as the GODS WINDOW 2-IN-1 in Graskop.   I hope the Nedbank LVCC runners turn up in their numbers for this one! The race starts at 7am from the Graskop Caravan Park.

Congratulations to Iain Toomey on his 60th birthday earlier this month. We hope you have many more miles left in those legs of yours!

I’ll see you all at club time trials on Thursday evenings at 17:30. Thanks to the runners that attend diligently.

Happy training and see you on the road.

CONGRATULATIONS

To all who participated in:

• SA Cross Country
• SA 21km Champs
• City to City
• The Run for Rhinos (especially the relay team “The grumpy ooms”
• Sabie Shufflers 

THANKS

• To Coral and Sandy for responding to our club projects request and making fantastic new marshal flags! Thanks you two stars!
• Sven Musica for the phenomenal photos he took at ODD check them out on the blog.

SKUKUZA

This is our away run and exceptionally tricky to try and co-ordinate. As a club we do a group booking to stay at Pretoriuskop please see the communication from Helette about this.

Hi All Runners,The booking for accommodation at Pretoriuskop for next year has been confirmed. The race takes place on Saturday, 2 August 2014. The accommodation is for the Friday AND Saturday night. The total cost is R930 for a hut and R450 for a camping site, which is for a standard 2 adults. The additional adults or children will be paid for on the date you book in at the camp. Please book before 31 October by paying a deposit of R465 for a hut or R225 for a camping.
Please use reference – Skukuza & name. NBBBB:  Please fax – 0866 485 127 or mail – helette@lvt2001.co.za  your proof of payment to me.  

Kind Regards 

Helette Pretorius

TRAINING

We are still looking for our experienced runners who feel they would be able to give back by offering advice and answering questions as virtual coaches. Should you feel you are the right person for this please email lvccrun@gmail.com

SAVE THE DATE

30th NOVEMBER 2013
Nedbank LVCC year-end function
Suggest a theme to lvccrun@gmail.com

KIT

I continue to apologise to those of you who recently bought to our attention issues pertaining to kit. We are still without new kit but there is kit of a variety of sizes that may be purchased at next to nothing prices and adapted to your size. For those of you wanting more than what we can currently offer please feel free to go to www.nedbankrunning.co.za and order/pay directly from national office. Those who have brought kit issues to our attention are slowly having issues sorted one by one.

Upcoming Event - Build It God's Window 21km, 10km & 5km

It's that time of the year again. God's Window's beauty awaits the brave runners willing to slog up the little hill on Saturday. Don't miss out! It is an absolute privilege to run such an awesome route.

Entry form available HERE