Rise up and run

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KNYSNA NEWS - The second Uprise Trail Run was held last weekend, organised once again by Coyote Events, with participants converging on Blackwaters River Lodge on Sunday 4 April.

The Uprise followed Coyote Events' successful Suunto Urban X Obstacle and Trail Run series, which came to an end with the third instalment at Blackwaters on Sunday 21 March.

The Uprise run is an extension of the Urban X, only without the obstacles, and takes place over two distances - 5km and 10km.

As the distances are somewhat longer than the 3km obstacle course route, organisers mapped out a tough yet rewarding track that traversed the Goukamma forests around Blackwaters.

Photo gallery: Uprise Trail Run in Knysna

The route began on Blackwaters' mashie golf course, continued across the bridge over the Goukamma River at the entrance to Blackwaters and then entered the forests, where the 5km and 10km routes split up after about 2km.

Melikhaya Msizi successfully defended his Uprise title in the 10km men's run. Photo: Blake Linder

At the 2,5km mark, the 5km runners turned back, while the 10km runners enjoyed more of the breathtaking Goukamma forests, turning back after 5km of trail running through the forests. Meanwhile the 5km runners were moving along swiftly, with Genre van Zyl finishing first. Liezel Claasen finished as the first lady shortly thereafter and Cole Cubitt was the first child over the finish line.

As the first groups of 5km participants were enjoying their post-race rest, Melikhaya Msizi led the way in the 10km race, eventually crossing the line in just under 41 minutes to win the longer distance for the second time.