Running their Sox off

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RHEENENDAL NEWS - Last weekend was, of course, the first weekend of August and with it came the 11th hosting of the annual Southern Cross (Sox) Trail Run.

Held from 7 to 9 August, runners were treated to phenomenal weather from the start of the first day until the moment the sweeper crossed the finish line on the third day.

The only blip was a bit of overcast weather and light rain on Sunday morning, but the runners took this in their stride as it made conditions ideal for the run down the beach in Wilderness, hardening the sand just enough for the more than 200 runners that took part.

While the weather was ideal during the weekend, leading up to the weekend it was a different story.

In the months, weeks and days preceding the event the Garden Route was bombarded with seemingly never-ending rain and cold weather. This meant the ground never got the chance to properly dry out, making conditions tricky out on the trails.

PHOTO GALLERY: Southern Cross (Sox) Trail Run

The heavy winds that hit the Garden Route made for a headache for organisers Trisport, as they had to trek the trails themselves armed with chainsaws to cut down branches and clear fallen trees so that the trails were accessible. And the adversity didn't stop when the event started. On the final day, the tide at Kleinkrantz (the third day's starting point) was too high and the route had to be shortened by 4km.

Runners even enjoyed bits of forest during the Mountain Stage.

But, no matter what was thrown their way, organisers ensured runners had a grand old time enjoying a different type of scenery every day.

As usual, day one (Mountain Stage) started and finished at the NMU George campus and took runners up and around the base of the stunning Outeniqua Mountains.

Day two (Forest Stage) started and finished at the Millwood Hut in the Knysna Forests outside Rheenendal.

Finally, day three (Coastal Stage) started at the beach below the Views Boutique Hotel & Spa at Wilderness and finished at Fairy Knowe Hotel, which also doubled as the race village for the event.

A drenched AJ Calitz emerges from the river crossing on the Kingfisher Trail on day three. Photos: Blake Linder