Cell C AfricanX Stage One Route announced

“Let Nature Give You A Run For Your Money”

The organisers of South Africa’s premier three day stage trail run, the Cell C AfricanX Trailrun presented by ASICS are excited to announce that the event’s three stages have been shaken up a bit with Stage One now starting at the majestic Trails End and finishing at the historic Houw Hoek Inn.

“Although we love welcoming newcomers to AfricanX, we realise that the event does have its loyal supporters,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports.  “It’s for this reason that we strive to keep the AfricanX experience fresh and exciting.  Continuing this trend, we are proud to welcome Trails End as the new Stage One start venue.  The stage will feature a combination of the best of the 2016 Stage One and Two routes with some new exciting sections in-between.  Runners can look forward to more trail running and less mountain bike single track.”

According to Hendrico Burger, Stillwater Sports Race Director, Stage One will be fairly more challenging than in previous years.  “Although starting with jeep track, the route will feature mostly single track and rocky hiking type trails with smoother trails towards the end.  The Groenlandberg Hiking Trail with its magnificent views is sure to leave lasting memories.  My advice to runners is to take it easy, remember that there are still two more stages to complete.”  

2017 Event Information:   Cell C AfricanX Trailrun presented by ASICS

Taking place the weekend of 17 – 19 March 2017, teams of two trail running enthusiasts (male/female/mixed) will be seen battling it out on a route varying in distance between 22km - 34km each day.  Participants will have the opportunity to tackle a different breath-taking scenic route each day, allowing them to enjoy the full beauty of the Overberg.

Stage One:

Date:      Friday, 17 March 2017

Start Time:             07:00

Start Venue:          Trails End, Grabouw

Finish Venue:        Houw Hoek Inn

Distance:               35km

Ascent:  1200m

Water Points:       1.             MTO / 8km mark  (Private)

                2.             Mara / 14.4km mark (Private)

                3.             Paul Cluver / 22.5km mark (Private)

                4.             MTO / 28km mark (Private)

“We are passionate about trail running,” says Chad Gordon, Trail Runner and partner in Trails End.  “Supporting a perfect race with the perfect venue is very special.  I’ve had the privilege of participating four times.  This year however I won’t be on the start line as everybody at Trails End will be hard at work ensuring that AfricanX has the best Stage One start ever.”

Entries are LIMITED to 350 teams. 

‘Sanet Wentzel Spirit Award’:  Introduced in 2010, one year after the AfricanX’s inception, the award was founded in memory of Sanet Wentzel (Oudtshoorn), an AfricanX participant who passed away tragically at the end of 2009 after being knocked down by a car during a morning training run. 

Trail runners taking part in the 2017 Cell C AfricanX Trailrun presented by ASICS are encouraged to send their ‘Sanet Wentzel Spirit Award’ nominations (with a short motivation) to dom@stillwatersports.com 

Follow us on Face Book:  Stillwater Trail Running

Follow us on Twitter:           @CellC / @runtheafricanx / @TrailsEndZA

For more information on Trails End visit www.trailsend.bike  For additional information or to enter the Cell C AfricanX Trailrun presented by ASICS visit www.stillwatersports.com, contact Stillwater Sports on 082 991 0045 or email entries@stillwatersports.com.