KNYSNA NEWS - In the second instalment of the KnysnaX Trail Run Series, organisers welcomed runners to Blackwaters River Lodge for the autumn run on Sunday 3 April.
The series is a set of four trail runs around Knysna, one for each season.
On completion of each run, participants receive a special medal with an engraved image that, together with the other three medals, forms a picture of the Knysna Heads.
PHOTO GALLERY: KnysnaX Trail Run Series
The summer run took place on 2 January, with runners able to take part in 9km and 18km distances that treated them to beautiful views in the forests and bush outside Knysna and around Blackwaters.
For the second event, the autumn run, organisers adapted the 9km to a 10km run, kept the 18km distance and added a 5km fun run.
The 5km and 10km distances started out at Blackwaters, heading out and over the Goukamma River before climbing the hill above the lodge to make their way around the bush and pine plantations that encompass the area.
They then made their way to the finish line at Blackwaters. Lorè Opperman was first over the line in the 5km, finishing in 32:57.
Nick Longley traverses the bush that covers the train tracks before the Goukamma bridge.
Kylie Dorfling was second, finishing in 34:17 while Joshua Groenewald was third in a time of 34:34.
The 10km had more than twice as many entries as the 5km, and runners were pushed to beat the best.
Vincent Flueck pushed the most, and finished his race in a time of 49:14, with second-placed WP Pretorius behind him in a time of 56:50.
Hannes Mostert was third, finishing in 1:00:42 while Frederike Krug was the first lady over the line in a time of 1:08:25.
The 18km distance started off on the train tracks at the Caltex Waterfront garage, half an hour before the other runners set off at Blackwaters.
After making their way across the estuary via the train bridge, runners were treated to beautiful scenery wherever they looked.
While some may have stopped to take it all in, Melikhaya Msizi had no time for such lingering, as he finished in a time of 1:11:49.
Mark van Zyl followed suit, finishing in 1:18:58 while first lady Anne Haw finished third with a time of 1:21:39.
Elvine Frieslaar gives a thumbs up while crossing the train bridge. Photos: Blake Linder
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