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When the highlight of your running career doesn’t involve running…

Dear Runners and Walkers,

Some of you might have followed the Karkloof 100 and 50 Miler Training Camp that we hosted last weekend. When some 100 runners dedicated and committed to achieving a common goal, meet up with their fellow soldiers to soak up some trails, you know that you are in for a good time!

But when KK100 Race Director Jack Davis describes a part of the weekend that had nothing to do with running as “a highlight of my running career”, well that is just intriguing…I mean the guy has travelled pretty far & wide to run in some spectacular places. So what gives? Well people did!

Karkloof100 has partnered with the Southern Lodestar Foundation (SLF) to uplift three schools along the race route. The SLF’s focus is on providing children with a nutritious breakfast on arrival at school, as well as nutrition training and support to the teachers and cooks. They are a small team but deeply passionate about their big dream of uplifting children and communities.

The Breakfast Program is already in place, but these schools have so many needs and we really wanted to do more. So, we asked our community of Karkloof runners to help! One of the schools, Triandra Primary, is located right on the route for the first mornings training run. We asked camp participants to give 10min of their time to help with a few basic, but necessary tasks to establish a vegetable garden and hopscotch games at the school.

It was freezing cold, so we couldn’t expect runners to stay too long and risk body temps dropping. But when I say the warmth of what everyone was doing, contributing, giving, superseded the weather – it may sound cliched, but it is true! I heard many people saying “I’ve got to finish this” or “Just one more row before we leave”. Everyone wanted to do more.

By the end of the day, we had planted, fertilised fenced and shade-clothed a whole vegetable garden that will produce invaluable nutrition for the 78 children who attend Triandra Primary, as well as painted some hopscotch games to stimulate gross-motor activity. Seemingly small things that can make a huge difference in helping a child to reach their potential!

A huge thank you to the SLF and KZNTR Teams who did the groundwork to get everything in place, and to the runners who gave of their time to implement the vision! Also, SAPPI saw what was going on at the the school and delivered some excess materials that they had, contributing further to the project.

To see a community coming together over a selfless cause gave me so much hope. Hope that we can make a difference by planting some veggies. Hope that many small actions of a group can change the trajectory of hopeless situations. And also, hope that the school and its children serve as inspiration to runners when they take on the Karkloof 100 or 50 miler in two months’ time!

See you on the trails,
Lauren and the KZNTR Team

Southern Lodestar Foundation Contributions

Our big dream is to continue to uplift these schools, initially by bringing Hawkstone and Yarrow Primary (the other two schools on the Karkloof Route) to the same level as Triandra. If anyone is interested in getting involved, doing more and impacting on these children, the SLF would gratefully accept donations of materials to establish vegetable gardens, shading, shelving for kitchens and play areas (contact eleanor@kzntrailrunning.co.za to arrange).

Monetary donations would also go a long way (Section 18A certificates can be issued on request). The details are as follows:
Account Name: Southern Lodestar
Bank: First National Bank
Account Number: 627 121 743 59
Cheque Account
Reference: “KK100 Schools”

Push your limits and feed your soul...

The Umngeni River Run is the perfect opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and test your limits! A no frills event, just fantastic trails, serene environment and your feet marching ahead. Covering some of the best sections of WESSA uMngeni Valley and Hilton College, it’s an adventure that’s worth your time and effort.

If you’re looking to gain some extra mileage or push boundaries, the 75km and 50km ultras will be your answer. The night running element on the 75km will give you a teaser of what to expect for bigger runs like the Karkloof 100 or SkyRun. Although more accessible, the 25km and 10km routes are still a challenge on their own, so don’t be fooled! Check out the route profiles on our website and shake up those legs and take on a challenge!!

A warm-spirited trail community, stunning and fully stocked race village will complete your morning.

Event Info:

  • Venue: WESSA uMgeni Nature Reserve, 1 Karkloof Rd, Howick.
  • Date: Sunday, 11 August 2019
  • Distances: 10km | 25km | 50km | 75km
  • Start times:  7:30 am | 7:00 am | 6:00 am | 2:00 am

For More Information and Entries:

Experience legendary hospitality at Eston Trail Run!

KZNTR will be hosting the trail run at the legendary Nedbank Eston Show 2019!
 
The shorter courses will explore the Eston farming district and bushveld, while the long course participants will get to experience running on the game paths through the well known Tala Game Reserve.

Hosted from within the heart of the Nedbank Eston Show, expect a vibrant race village with plenty on offer. The Eston Farming Community will be out in full force ready to embrace the trail community with their warm hospitality, and we can’t wait to be part of it!

Event Info:

  • Venue: The Eston Show, Beaumont Eston Farmer’s Club
  • Date: Sunday, 25 August 2019
  • Distances: 5km | 10km | 20km
  • Start times:  7:45 am | 7:30 am | 7:00 am

For More Information and Entries: