Oyster Festival Fever grips Featherbed
The Featherbed Company is bracing itself for an outbreak of Trail Running Fever as trail fanatics from across the country scramble for entries into one of South Africa’s most popular medium distance trail running events – the Featherbed Trail Run which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary.
The family friendly event is the trail running event of the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival and is as famous for its festive atmosphere combined with the famous Ferry Ride across the Knysna Estuary as it is for its spectacular course.
“Feathers fly as Trail Fanatics Flock to the Featherbed Trail Run”
Additionally to the established distances of 11km, well-known as the SEAHORSE run and the 15km distance, known as the Coelacanth Run, organisers have added another longer distance event of 21km which will go into the Featherbed books as the GREAT WHITE.
This race promises to be a tough but exhilarating run. Not only will athletes be able to enjoy those exclusive trails on the privately owned Featherbed Nature Reserve with breath-taking views across the sheer cliffs of the Knysna Heads but they will also descent to the rugged beaches of the Indian Ocean east of Brenton on Sea and along the beautiful Fisherman’s Trail. This route is certainly one of the most spectacular trail running courses that South Africa has to offer – so if you are a proficient medium distance trail runner – this is the one to do.
The Featherbed Trail Run is also part of the BIG5 Sport Challenge with a strong field of MultiSport athletes who will be competing against Featherbed athletes on the15km Coelacanth course.
The all inclusive experience gained by an entry to the event includes a ferry trip to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, an experience in its own right, a Unimog trip up the mountain (For Seahorse Runners), a choice of one of the three running courses which differ slightly in technical challenge, distance and one beast of a climb, the well-deserved finisher medal and a post-race meal at Knysna’s exclusive Cruise Café. The event is organised into 3 departures; a morning, midday and afternoon run with breakfast, lunch or supper afterwards.
According to Christine Collins from event organisers Magnetic South, the demand for tickets is once again enormous and she is expecting another sell out run. She urged local runners to get their entries in early to avoid disappointment as entries are being snapped up by upcountry athletes. “Entry is stringently limited by the number of places on the ferries,” she said.
A very special mention must also go to the Featherbed Company, who once a year allows the organisers to present this exhilarating event within their pristine protected area. “It is a privilege for us to run here every year”, said Event Director Mark Collins, “and we pride ourselves on instilling an ethos of respect for nature in each of the runners at our event”.
The Featherbed Trail Run is part of the Trail Town Concept which offers a multitude of trail running events over the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival and caters for all age groups, fitness levels and one can even choose the perfect time of the day to go out and enjoy the trails!
All info and booking on www.trailtown.net
‘We bring you the latest Knysna | Garden Route news’