'Online' run ends Oyster Festival

KNYSNA NEWS - The virtual Houtkapper Trail Run concluded on 12 July after a week of running that allowed runners around the country with the opportunity to take part in the event by submitting their entries virtually.

This run, which is annually the final event of the Oyster Festival, once again rounded out the fest this year as the "Houtkapper week" started on Sunday 5 July and continued until the following Sunday.

Typically, the physical event attracts about 500 and though the virtual numbers didn’t quite reach that mark, organisers Gavin Bezuidenhout and Leon Scholtz were still pleased with the outcome, given the nature of the event being online and not a physical race.

"It was great, we are chuffed with the participation we got and everyone was delighted to take part," he said. "It wasn't about making money or anything like that, it was just to make sure people are aware that the Houtkapper still did something and didn't just turn a blind eye."

Runners took photos and tracked their times wherever they ran and submitted it to Bezuidenhout and his organising team. Although there were no formal race prizes, a lucky draw took place via the race's Facebook page.

Peter Szeili from Knysna donned his funky pants and Houtkapper gear to tackle the 9km run he submitted for the virtual Houtkapper.