Last year in September saw the inaugural running of The Bushman’s Trail, a staged trail running event, at Wagendrift Dam near Estcourt. This year the event, a partnership between Howick based KZN Trail Running and Estcourt Athletics Club, has been shifted to the weekend of 20th to 22nd April to take advantage of the better weather conditions and greener landscape at this time of the year.
The 2017 event was thoroughly enjoyed by all who took part despite rogue wind conditions that provided some additional challenges and excitement! The emphasis of this two-day trail running event is on all-inclusive participation and a great family atmosphere. The uniqueness lies in being able to construct your own stage race – runners and walkers can run only one or both of the days and are able to choose which distance they would prefer to do on each day. Saturday’s options are a 5, 10 or 20km routes and Sunday’s are 5, 10, 20 or 30km.
Being located just off the N3 near Estcourt, Wagendrift Dam is very accessible at less than an hour from Howick. Although there is plenty of lovely self-catering accommodation in the area, participants and their families are encouraged to join the weekend’s festivities and either self-camp / caravan or pre-book a tent and mattress that will be supplied.
The KZN Trail Running KidZone will be in operation for the weekend, so parents can get out onto the trails knowing that their little ones (aged 2yrs and over) are in safe hands and being kept entertained! When the adults get back from their run, they can recover with some outdoor Pilates and unwind on the edge of the dam to live music by Matt Gardiner, local musician extraordinaire!
Event sponsor, Eskort – Life’s Delicious, will be on site for the whole weekend with their revamped food truck selling braai packs from Friday afternoon and delicious gourmet meals from Saturday morning until Sunday lunch time. Additionally, there will be quality coffee and craft beer vendors at the event from Friday afternoon.
For active, outdoor-loving families this is a weekend not to be missed!
