Cape Summer Trail Series 2018

There’s nothing quite like breathing fresh air into your lungs, with the sound of gravel crunching underfoot. Aah, trail-running… the best way to clean out your arteries, while feeding your soul…

Which is why we thought we’d remind you about this year’s Cape Summer Trail Series. Taking runners on some wonderfully diverse routes – through fynbos and forests, orchards and a botanical garden – the 2018 series comprises four runs that need to be booked online prior to the race.

The Four Courses

Race 1 Start your morning (and the series) with a run through the Lebanon Forestry mountain bike trails. Drink in the beautiful views from this single-track trail while running through a mix of pine trees, fynbos and orchards.
When 21 January 2018
Where Lebanon Forest, Elgin Valley
Distance long course: 13.4km; short course: 6.3km
Time long course starts 7.30am; short course starts 8.05am

Race 2 The first night run of the season takes runners along the contour path on the edge of Cecilia Forest. The glorious trail has a lovely, intricate descent that feeds into the indigenous forest, then back through Kirstenbosch gardens, ending with the path through the historic cycad forest, which is particularly magical at night.
When 30 January 2018
Where Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
Distance long course: 10km; short course: 5.8km
Time long course starts 7pm; short course starts 7.21pm
Please note This is a sunset race, so remember to bring your headlamp.

Race 3 In the heart of the Durbanville Wine Valley, the perfectly manicured single-track mountain-bike trail on Meerendal Wine Estate is the perfect spot to witness the sky changing colour with the setting sun over Table Mountain.
When 7 February 2018
Where Meerendal Wine Estate
Distance long course: 11.96km; short course: 7.5km
Time long course starts 7.30pm; short course starts 7.50pm
Please note This is a sunset race, so remember to bring your headlamp.

Race 4 The final race of the series takes place on the exquisite Oak Valley country estate, where runners can expect to run through pine and riverine forests, open fields and apple orchards. This longer, non-technical course makes a great one-off race (or if you’re completing the series, it’s a great way to test your speed).
When 25 February 2018
Where Oak Valley, Elgin Valley
Distance long course: 15.75km; short course: 7.3km
Time long course starts 7.30am; short course starts 7.51am

Please note: If you’re a serious competitor, you need to complete three of the four runs in order to compete in the Championship Challenge (and receive a medal).

Location Download the directions for each race at Trail Series