KNYSNA NEWS - "Blistering, despite the conditions and the fact that we had to put up with 60mm of rain." So said race director Mark Collins of the Salomon Featherbed Trail Run presented by Petzl on a cold and wet Tuesday, July 5. The trail run consisted of three events (morning, noon and night) with two races each, the 15km Coelacanth and the 11km Seahorse races. "The rain pelted down for the start of each one, and then cleared up during the course of each one. It was incredible - but it added to the atmosphere and spirit of the day," said Collins.

Since the inaugural event in 2008 the Salomon Featherbed Trail Run has become one of the highlights of the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival, featuring a ferry ride across the lagoon, running through the fynbos and forest thicket at Featherbed and a home stretch across the old railway bridge over the lagoon.

The winner of the first event in 2008, Piet Jacobs, posted the best time of the day at 54:53.

Salomon’s brand ambassador, Nicholas Rupanga, who ran the long course in the morning and the short course in the afternoon, came first in both races and knocked an incredible 2 minutes off the time set by the phenomenal Ryan Sandes during the 2010 event.

Each of the event sponsors had at least one entrant in the event. "Featherbed’s own general manager, Sonja Smit, entered for the first time, and she’s now hooked on trail running, while Jackie Moore joined Nicholas on the Salomon team. Jacques Botha ran for Petzl, and Marc Smith and Rebecca Laird ran for Gu," said Collins.

In keeping with tradition, a lucky draw at the prize-giving event featured fantastic gifts, including four nights in Namibia for two to the value of R27 500, which was won by Marike Vreken.


Despite cold, wet conditions these athletes eagerly started the Salomon Featherbed Trail Run presented by Petzl. (Photo: Elle Photography.)


Elle Photography is ‘mobbed’ at the start of the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival’s Salomon Featherbed Trail Run. (Photo: Elle Photography.)