Siyabonga Sakwe and Emily Djock took top honours in the 42km THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 1-Day XPERIENCE that took place at the majestic Paul Cluver Wine Estate in Grabouw on Saturday 17 September 2022.
The THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 1-Day XPERIENCE is the perfect introduction to the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN Series of events. Taking the format of an “individual entry” event (not teams of two), runners could choose between a 42km, 24km, 12km and 6km route, with all options treating entrants to world class trails, combined with spectacular views, mouth-watering food, a relaxed atmosphere, and great vibe!
The 42km route was ideal for the more hardcore mountain runner. Boasting a total elevation of 1200 – 1500m, the route was challenging but doable. Runners got to experience mountainous technical sections, climbs, farm roads and jeep track.
Siyabonga Sakwe (Elsies River) celebrated his 41st birthday with a first-place finish in the men’s 42km race. “I’ve only ever taken part in the 3-Day Stage Race in 2021. I entered the 1-Day Race to see how I’d do as a single runner, opposed to taking part in a team event. My goal was to win the race as a gift on my birthday. I ran with Lovemo at the start of the race. At one point he dropped me, but I managed to catch him and take the lead. The route was perfect, I actually expected it to be tougher. I’m over the moon to win today.” Sakwe claimed gold in 03 hours 08 minutes 35 seconds. Lovemo Nyaude came in second, while Brett Nattrass finished third.
Emily Djock (Tamboerskloof) took no prisoners in the women’s 42km race. “This is the first time that I take part in the event, but it’s not the first time that I run on Paul Cluver’s trails. The route was fantastic. It was so runnable, flowy and had some nice singletrack sections. I’ve never won a race where I got to lift the finish ribbon. It was a really good experience. I’ll most definitely be back.” Djock crossed the finish line in 03 hours 37 minutes 35 seconds. Kirsty Van Niekerk came in second, while Chantal Nienaber finished third.
The 24km route was on par with the routes of the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 3-Day STAGE RACE. Runners got to enjoy a good mixture of technical sections, climbs, farm roads and jeep tracks with a total elevation that ranged between 600 – 800m.
Siviwe Nkombi (Mfuleni, Cape Flats) successfully defended his title in the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 1-Day XPERIENCE completing the 24km route in a fantastic time of 01 hour 19 minutes 43 seconds. “I like AFRICANX so much that I had to come back this year,” says a very happy Nkombi. “The route was perfect from the start to the finish line. It was well marked, and everyone was so lovely along the way. It felt fantastic to cross the finish line first. I would definitely tell friends and family to do the AFRICANX. It’s the perfect race in Cape Town.” Jacques Du Plessis came in second, while Zibele Bala finished third.
Jade Bucklow (Lakeside) secured victory in the 24km THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 1-Day XPERIENCE in an impressive time of 01 hour 51 minutes 14 seconds. “I took part in the 3-Day Stage Race last year with my brother and we came 4th overall,” says Bucklow. “The 1-Day event looked like something fun to do, a nice fast paced race. It’s good to be back again and I really like this distance. The conditions were absolutely perfect. My goal was to run a sub-5-minute pace and hopefully podium. The route was stunning and so well marked. I felt quite strong on the hills. It’s so good to come back and be on the podium.” Melissa Laing came in second, while Monique Geel finished third.
The 12km route was the perfect entry level route, with a total ascent of 250m. The route did include some climbs, but nothing too hectic.
Wade Holland (Somerset West) claimed gold in the men’s 12km race in a time of 54 minutes 37 seconds. “I came out with my crew. There was a miss communication, we were supposed to enter the 24km, but I entered the 12km,” laughs Holland. “It was a great day out though. The route was good, very similar to the routes that we run in Stellenbosch, so I was prepped for it. I loved the climbs and the undulating winding downhills were fantastic. I didn’t expect it to be so beautiful out here. I’m coming back for the 3-Day Stage Race next year. I am excited for that.” Michiel Brand came in second, while Ruben Hanekom finished third.
Aneen Koch (Clovelly, Cape Town) was the lady to beat in the 12km race. “The last time that I ran was in 2018. I had a hip replacement in 2018 and a back operation in 2019. Today I had to prove to myself that I can still run. I suffered a bit towards kilometre ten and eleven, bit I felt great. It was absolutely amazing just to be out in nature. I wanted to dedicate the run to my husband and to my parents that have passed away. The whole event was absolutely amazing.”
Koch crossed the finish line in 01 hours 05 minutes 27 seconds. Nicolette Sutherland came in second, while Anette Cronje finished third.
The 6km route was a family friendly route that featured mainly farm roads with some easy single track.
Schalk-Joseph Van Der Merwe was the first runner home in a time of 32 minutes 20 seconds. Christopher Steven came in second, while Alistair Glossop finished third.
Chiharu Morimoto secured the top spot on the podium in the women’s race in 33 minutes 25 seconds. Rachel Venter came in second, while Wendy Hvidsten finished third.
“The THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 1-Day XPERIENCE was a fantastic celebration on and off the trails,” says Michelle Lillico, THIRSTI Head of Marketing. “Congratulations to each and every runner that took part and added to the experience. Our THIRSTI range of water and ISOFIT+ Sport Drinks are the perfect accompaniment to healthy, active lifestyles. It was an absolute privilege to keep everyone hydrated as they ‘Let Nature Give Them A Run For Their Money’.”
Paul Cluver Wine Estate was the perfect host venue of the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 1-Day XPERIENCE.
“We’re as passionate about conservation as we are about winemaking, and the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 1-Day XPERIENCE granted participants the perfect opportunity to experience the magic beyond our Tasting Room,” says Liesl Clüver Rust, Marketing Director Paul Cluver Wine Estate. “Our mountain trails wind their way through ever-changing backdrops of orchards, vineyards and pristine fynbos, allowing runners to discover all of the elements that make the Paul Clüver Family Wines estate so special to us. Our goal was for trail runners to have fun. Whether they were here to get a podium finish, set a PB or simply have a great run in nature with friends or family, we hope that they had an exhilarating experience and that they made many happy memories along the way. It’s our great pleasure to have shared our special home with you. Remember that you are always welcome to return!”
