ST FRANCIS BAY – The second St Francis Walking Weekend is here, offering outdoor enthusiasts three days of scenic coastal walking across the St Francis Bay and Jeffreys Bay area from 26 to 28 June.
The weekend comprises three walks: a 5km walk on the afternoon of 26 June, an 18km walk on the morning of 27 June and a 14km walk on the morning of 28 June.
The event is not a race, and there will be no winners, but to ensure safety, participants will have to finish before a certain time.
The St Francis Walking Weekend is organised by St Francis Sport, sponsored by Quayside and Bella’s Kitchen, with the Cape St Francis Resort serving as the accommodation host.
Friday 26 June
• On Friday, from 15:30, a circular 5km walk from Port St Francis along sections of the Two Harbours Walk and the streets of Santareme will take place.
• Number collection will be from 15:00 at Quayside, Port St Francis.
• The entry fee is R50, and the route briefing will be at 15:20.
• Participants are advised to bring a headlamp or torch in case they finish after dark.
Saturday 27 June
• On Saturday morning the 18km route will start at Tony’s Deli in Sea Glades Drive, St Francis Bay, and end at Tasty Tables in Jeffreys Bay.
• The route will head along Sea Glades Drive, then Canal Road into Shore Road to the Cove, where there will be a river crossing by barge.
• Walkers will then follow the coastline past the Seekoei River, which has to be crossed via the bridge.
• Walkers can also make a quick stop at the Paradise Beach Neighbourhood Watch coffee shop, with the finish at Tasty Tables at Jeffreys Bay Main Beach.
• Number collection will be from 07:00; the briefing will be at 07:20, and walkers can set off at 07:30.
• Participants’ allocated finishing time is 12:30.
• There will be no water points along the way, and walkers must be self-sufficient.
• The entry fee is R250, which includes the river crossing.
Sunday 28 June
• On Sunday morning the walk will start at Port St Francis, this time from Bella’s Kitchen on Squid Square, where participants can proceed via Shark Point to the Cape St Francis beach.
• Participants can choose to stop at the Cape St Francis Resort (5,5km), or continue towards the Seal Point Lighthouse and stop for coffee before they continue to Sunset Rock.
• Here they will turn inland and walk through the Irma Booysen Floral Reserve to the Cape St Francis Resort.
• Participants can call it a day at 10km or walk through the Resort, back onto the beach and via the Seal Point Nature Reserve back to Bella’s for a full 14km.
• Each finisher will receive a free drink, and lunch will be available.
• Number collection will be from 07:30, with the briefing at 07:45 and walking commencing at 08:00.
• The entry fee is R140, and the allocated finishing time is 12:00.
• While in the area, participants can also visit the Seal Point Lighthouse in Cape St Francis or the Shipwreck Museum in St Francis Bay.
Online entries are available on EntryNinja.
Contact the Cape St Francis Resort for accommodation specials for the weekend on 042 298 0054.
Shuttles can be privately organised through JBay Cabs on 083 6111 003 or Simpiwe’s Shuttles on 083 957 1331.
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