THE Eastern Cape has been formally declared a drought disaster area and farmers are really struggling to provide enough feed for their animals.
The good news is that anybody with (or even without) a pair of tekkies can make a difference. This year will see the first Fresh@Beskuitfontein Trail Run taking place on Sunday, December 15.
Fresh@Beskuitfontein supports the Middelburg Drought Aid Fund, managed by the Middelburg EC Agricultural Union. The event is a collaboration between Fresh Trails and Stefan and Yolandi Erasmus, who farm on Beskuitfontein, which is located between the towns of Middelburg and Colesberg, exactly where the N9 and N10 highways meet.
“Thousands of South Africans travel this road each year en route to their December holiday destinations. We want to give our adventure-loving, trail running citizens a fresh look at this part of the Karoo,” said Yolandi.
Runners will enjoy spectacular views surrounded by the mountains of the Eastern Karoo – a rugged desert like terrain which can morph into grassy green hills after some good rains.
Three distances, 7km, 14km and 29km, are on offer and the well-marked routes are a great mix of technical, flowing, rocky, sandy, mountain, single track, jeep track and no track trails. Those who do not want to run, can walk the 7km route.
Prize-giving after the race will take place at the Beskuitfontein Village where there is a massive old-school farm dam to cool down in, with Stellar Brewery beer and gin on tap, food stalls with roosterkoeke, lamb sosaties, a jumping castle for the kids and more.
A night run will also take place on the Saturday evening before the main event, with a complimentary farm tour, Karoo braai and Stellar Brewery again providing the drinks. A 24-hour “Koffie en Beskuit” tent will keep the boeretroos ready, together with biscuits baked by the tannies of Middelburg.
The event aims at creating awareness and raising funds to assist drought-stricken farmers in the region.
All entrants are asked to donate R50 or more, and will stand a chance of wining an amazing lucky draw prize. There will also be various other initiatives on race day to raise funds for the Drought Aid Fund.
- Book your spot and find out more about the various accommodation and meal packages on offer at www.quicket.co.za or e-mail silverkaroo@gmail.com.
