Lovers of nature and adventure are in for a treat on the Sunday 15th April when The WESSA Trail Run takes place at uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve in Howick, a town which is rapidly establishing itself as the Trail Hub of the Midlands. An ecological gem on the edge of town, uMngeni Valley offers kilometres of pristine trail through open grassland and dense indigenous valley bushveld, home to wildlife such as zebra, hartebeest and giraffe. It is also a bird-watchers paradise.
There’s no better way to experience this stunning reserve than on foot on the well-marked trails. Runners and walkers will be able to do just that at the WESSA Trail Run, staged by locally based company, KZN Trail Running. There are three distances of 5km, 12km and 22km to choose from so there is an event to suit every age, ability and fitness level.
Walkers are welcome on the two shorter distances, whilst the 22km will provide a challenge for even the most seasoned of trail runners. With approximately 900m of elevation gain over the 22km, runners will have their climbing legs tested as they descend right to the valley bottom and back out. Any pain that might be experienced is eclipsed by the sheer beauty of the surroundings!
An exhilarating outdoor adventure is not the only thing that will be on offer on the Sunday… Runners and walkers can look forward to delicious catering in the form of gourmet takeaways, delicious coffee and refreshing craft cordials and beer after their outing. Add to this the chance of winning one of many fantastic lucky draw prizes and you can’t go wrong.
There are exciting activities on offer for the youngsters too. The KZNTR KidZone will be in operation for the littler family members, 2 years and older, who are not yet robust enough to take on the trails! Parents can happily hit the trails with the assurance that their children are in safe hands. The WESSA Educators will also conduct an “Eco Treasure Hunt” for our future trail lovers – sure to be a hit!
