The 2022 K-way Maxirace Cape Winelands is running for the fourth year in a row from 1 – 2 October and will include a route for all runners.
The race has 120 km, 75 km, 45 km, 20 km, 13 km and 7 km routes, catering for all levels of trail running.
“To give our race participants the best possible trail experience in the Cape Winelands this year, we have included mountains, wine farms, fynbos, river crossings and Cape Valleys in our race routes,” says race director, Andri Stander. “Along with our Maxi Vagabond Race Village and Stellenbosch Trail Expo, this year promises to be one of our best yet.”
The 120 km and 75 km routes will start together with a hard push up Mont Rochelle, that should give the strong climbers the first advantage. Once runners have passed back through Franschhoek, the two routes will split in front of Berg River Dam – the 120 km will do a loop along the Berg River Valley before they come back towards the dam, where they will meet up with the 75 km runners again and also have their first intro of the 45 km contestants.
The 45 km runners will head straight out of town on the 75 km route (minus Mont Rochelle) towards Berg River Dam, where they will, together with the 75 km field, join the 120 km route.
Once the three routes are on the same path, they will head across the farms below the Helshoogte mountains towards the Banhoek Conservancy, where they will spend a good amount of time covering the trails of the beautiful valley – where the faster runners should start catching the climbers again. From here all three routes will climb over Botmaskop and down into Stellenbosch.
Once in town, the 75 km and 45 km will race downhill towards the finish line. The 120 km will join the 20 km route from the ‘Hangbrug’ towards Coetzenburg, Eden and Mont Marie, before returning on the edge of town and the ‘Proefplaas’ along the Eerste River and towards the Race Village Finish line.
On Sunday runners taking part in the 20 km, 13 km and 7 km routes will hit the trails.
The 20 km route will take runners towards the famous ‘Hangbrug’ and through the Eerste River into Stellenbosch Mountain. The longest climb of the run will take you up to a scenic trail – the climb will be worth it. From here runners can experience the Blue Gum and Pine Tree forests, Fynbos and Farmlands that make up the route through Coetzenburg, Eden and the farms that line the Blaauwklippen road towards Mont Marie farm and back.
The 13 km route will turn back at the first Aid Station at Eden Forest, through the University ‘Proefplaas’, Coetzenburg and Eerste River Trail back towards the start.
The inaugural 7 km route is for young racers and fun runners alike. Be ready to challenge yourself a bit.
For those wanting to enter the 2022 Maxirace Cape Winelands or wanting to take part in the Stellenbosch Trail Expo visit www.maxirace.co.za for details.
