Trail runners team up for AfricanX Trailrun 8-10 May 2009

South Africa’s top trail runners will team up in Kleinmond from 8-10 May 2009 to take on the action-packed three-day stage race, the ProNutro AfricanX Trailrun presented by New Balance.

The competition promises to be a tough challenge with some of the country’s top athletes already signed up for the action. Two of the top men’s teams to watch out for are Team Kanu, consisting of brothers Jacques and Mauritz Van Rensburg and Team ProNutro with Warren Peterson and Lieuwe Boonstra teaming up. According to Jacques, the trail running bug bit him four years ago. “I’ve been competing since the age of 13, but have only really taken to trail running in the last four years. My brother and I have a strong bond and work really well together as a team, so it only made sense for us to join forces. I love the idea of a three-day stage race, as I believe it will entice more competitors. I think a five-day stage race can in some instances be just too long for potential participants. It’s going to be great racing against Team ProNutro. Warren has been a top road runner for many years and the fact that Lieuwe recently placed first at the DUESOUTH XTERRA SA Championship speaks for itself. I’m sure they’ll give us tough resistance,” says van Rensburg.

According to Boonstra, he is very excited to take on the ProNutro AfricanX Trailrun. “A three-day stage race is great as it presents an exciting challenge in terms of duration. Warren and I have been training buddies for ages and it’s going to be awesome to be his team mate doing this extraordinary event. He loves the pain and does not like slowing down, so I’m convinced that he’ll be pushing really hard. He also really likes winning, which is perfect. I can’t wait to run with the Van Rensburg brothers. I think it’s going to be great fun, but also very tough and extremely competitive especially as the race progresses and we get closer to the finish line,” says Boonstra.

The ProNutro AfricanX Trailrun will see teams of two (male/female/mixed) battling it out on a route varying in distance between 25-35km each day. For the first time in South Africa, a trail running stage race will follow a clover leaf format, which means that runners will start and finish in Kleinmond on each of the three days. Their accommodation, meals and entertainment will remain in the same place for the duration of the race. The race village in Kleinmond will be a hive of activity with entertainment throughout the day, which makes the event ideally suited as a family breakaway. Family and friends will also be able to support the athletes at various vantage points along the route. Although the distances can be quite a challenge, the route will be laid out on jeep and single tracks that are running-friendly and will include magnificent views of the ocean, mountains and waterfalls. Teamwork will form an essential part of the race, as participants will have to rely on each other’s experience and expertise in order to complete the route.

For more information on the ProNutro AfricanX Trailrun please contact Stillwater Sport & Entertainment on (021) 883 – 2413