Fast Facts
Featured Video
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 2023 PICKLE JUICE AFRICANX FINISHERS!!
All 2023 results can be found HERE
Pickle Juice AFRICANX TRAILRUN 3-Day / Houw Hoek Hotel (Western Cape)
Nestled in the heart of the Houw Hoek valley, with its Festival Village located on the grounds of the majestic Houw Hoek Hotel (Overberg Region, Western Cape), the Pickle Juice AFRICANX TRAILRUN affectionately known as South Africa’s premier three-day stage trail run.
Synonymous with magnificent trails, spectacular views, mouth-watering food, a relaxed atmosphere, great vibe and most importantly, TEAMWORK, this three-day stage race explores some of the most beautiful terrain that the Western Cape has to offer.
This year we are planning a PARTY ON FOOT, with an amazing line up of fun and entertainment at the Race Village! Be prepared for the most fun you’ll have over a weekend of trail running with your best buddies!
Teams of two trail running enthusiasts (male/female/mixed) will get to experience fantastic mountain trails covering a combined distance of +/- 74 kilometres (+/-24km Day 1 | +/-32km Day 2 | +/-18km Day 3) over three days. Each stage will feature a different route that is guaranteed to keep things exciting while leaving runners in awe.
The trick is to choose your partner wisely, as team members will rely on each other’s experience and expertise to complete each stage together.
Remember to take in the scenery and enjoy the routes while you “Let Nature Give You A Run For Your Money!”
EVENT FAST FACTS
| Date: | 17 – 19 March 2023 |
| Venue: | Houw Hoek Hotel, Bot River, Overberg Region, Western Cape |
| Start Times & Venues: | 07h30 single start each day |
| Race Pack Collection at Houw Hoek Hotel | Thursday 16 March 2023: 12h00-19h00 |
| Entries Close: | 10 March 2023 |
| Entry Includes: |
|
REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Should the 2023 Pickle Juice AfricanX Trailrun taking place from the 17th to the 19th of March be cancelled or postponed as a result of any events beyond the event organizer’s control (i.e. due to force majeure, COVID-19 restrictions, or legislation introduced by the South African government, etc.), then the following refund policy will apply to entrants:
- Runners will be refunded 80% of their paid for entry, should the event be cancelled or postponed by Sunday, 26 February 2023. Alternatively, runners will be able to roll their event entry to the AfricanX Trailrun event in 2024.
- Runners will be refunded 70% of their paid for entry, should the event be cancelled or postponed between Monday, 27 February 2023 and Sunday, 12 March 2023. Alternatively, runners will be able to roll their event entry to the AfricanX Trailrun event in 2024.
- Should the event be cancelled within four (4) days of the event (i.e. from Monday, 13 March 2023 to Thursday, 16 March 2023), or on any day of the three-day event, runners will not be refunded any of their paid entry fees (0%).
It must also be noted that runners who pay and enter automatically qualify for their First Ascent Event Garment, and will receive their garment should any of the above scenarios apply.
WITHDRAWALS, SUBSTITUTIONS AND ROLL-OVERS
Refunds are permissible, based on medical grounds only, until 31 January 2023. An administration fee of 10% will be applicable
Roll-Overs are permissible, based on medical grounds only, up to 1 month prior to the event (17 February 2023). An administration fee of R250 per person is applicable. Please note the following conditions regarding Roll-Overs apply:
Participants will be liable for any change in entry fee from one year to the next
Roll-Overs are valid for ONE year only. If the participant does not, for any reason, participate in the event in the year they have entered for or the year there after their entry fee will NOT be refunded
The event organisers are entitled to make venue and/or date changes and will not be held liable for roll-over entries that cannot be used as a result.
Substitutions are permissible however, an administration fee of R250 per person/R500 per team will be applicable. Substitutions are only available online, please use your ID number and login to complete the process.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
2023 Accommodation rates coming soon. Please remember that bookings for the Houw Hoek Hotel are done directly through the Hotel. You are required to have entered and paid for the event before you can book at the Hotel
ENTRY FEES (PER PERSON)
| OPTION 1 Standard Entry: INCLUDES breakfast and lunch, NO accommodation, NO dinner | R 3,600.00 |
| OPTION 2: Additional to the Standard Entry, includes dinner on all 3 event nights | R 4,200.00 |
| OPTION 3: Additional to the Standard Entry, includes accommodation and dinner on all 3 event nights | R 4,600.00 |
MASSAGE SERVICES BY EPT
EPT will once again be offering massages to runners over the event weekend. They are the best in the business and will look after you to ensure your body is in tip top shape! You can book either 30min or 60min massages via the links below:
COMPULSORY EQUIPMENT
Please note the below compulsory equipment to be carried at all times. Random checks will be done throughout the 3 days:
EACH RUNNER must at all times have on their person;
- A space blanket per person
- A windbreaker/rain jacket per person
- At least 300ml water or other liquid refreshment
- A whistle
- Personal medications eg asthma pumps
ONE RUNNER PER TEAM must have the below items at all times;
- A cell phone loaded with event emergency number
- Emergency food such as energy bars, gels etc.
RACE CATEGORIES
**Please note you will automatically be placed in the correct age category. Teams are placed in the category of the YOUNGEST runner where team members are in different age categories.
| OPEN | 18yrs – 39yrs | Male, Female, Mixed |
| VET | 40yrs – 49yrs | Male, Female, Mixed |
| AGILE MASTERS | 50yrs – 54yrs | Male, Female, Mixed |
| ULTIMATE MASTERS | 55yrs – 59yrs | Male, Female, Mixed |
| GRAND MASTERS | 60yrs+ | Male, Female, Mixed |
OTHER CATEGORIES
| CLUB 100 | Combined age 0f 100 years | Male, Female, Mixed |
| Father/Mother and Son/Daughter | 18yrs + | Male, Female, Mixed |
| Siblings | 18yrs + | Male, Female, Mixed |
| Married Couple | 18yrs + | Male, Female, Mixed |
ENTRY QUERIES
Please contact the entries office via email on entries@stillwatersports.com for further information.
2023 ROUTES:
STAGE 1:
Distance: 24km
Total Elevation: 700m
No of Waterpoints: 3
Start: Houw Hoek Hotel
Finish: Paul Cluver Wine Estate
Paul Cluver is one of those farms that keeps revealing beautiful new spots and developing new trails. Liesl Cluver has a big part to play in pointing out the hidden gems on the farm, and has assisted us in once again creating an exciting route! Runners can expect some beautiful fynbos jeep track, and loads of runnable singletrack! The official start of the race will be at the top of the Houw Hoek switchbacks so bring the vibe and dance your way to the top to warm up! Remember to save some energy to taste some Paul Cluver wines on one of the most iconic bridges on the Estate!
There will be a great chill area at the finish with some snacks, beer and wine on offer! Shuttles will be available to take you from the finish at Paul Cluver back to the Houw Hoek Hotel
STAGE 2:
Distance: 32km
Total Elevation: +-1100m
Start: Grabouw Country Club
Finish: Houw Hoek Hotel
The Queen Stage!! We’re mixing things up again this year by starting at the picturesque Grabouw Country Club! Expect some stunning single tracks along the Eikenhof Dam before making making your way up the slopes of Groenlandberg. Expect some tough climbs, technical trails and lots of smooth, fun running as you make your way back to Houw Hoek, traversing some of the best trails of Oak Valley and Paul Cluver! Pace yourself during the first 25% of the route. It might seem flattish but before you know it, you’ll have to switch on those climbing legs!
*Buses will transport runners from the Houw Hoek Hotel to the start at Grabouw Country Club from 06h00, last bus leaves at 07h00
STAGE 3:
Distance: 18km
Total Elevation: 700m
Start: Houw Hoek Hotel
Finish: Houw Hoek Hotel
It’s Dress Up Day and it’s a CELEBRATION! A long downhill down Kat se Pas will warm up the legs into Bot River, but don’t overcook it! You will enjoy some beautiful trails along the Houw Hoek River, before the big climb of the day begins! This section is spectacular with technical fynbos trails, enjoy the views and remember to have a swim in the river! Once back on Kat se Pas you can almost see your medal, finisher’s tee and celebratory drink!
Some advice from our Route Manager Alfred Thorpe: Start planning those outfits. You want to have fun, but this is still a proper run so make sure you’re not overheating (wigs can do that to you)!!
Houw Hoek Hotel
N2, Houw Hoek, Grabouw, 7160
Western Cape, South Africa
GPS Coordinates: -34.204544, 19.151316
2018
| NAMES | TEAM NAME | COMBINED TIME OVER 3 DAYS | |
| MEN | AJ Calitz; Bernard Rukadza |
Team KWAY Wintergreen | 7:08:07 |
| WOMEN | Nicolette Griffioen Carla Van Huyssteen |
Team KeyHealth Neverest/KWAY’s | 8:36:34 |
| MIXED | Daneil Feldmann Davide Del Fante |
Team Crumb’s | 9:20:38 |
2017
| NAMES | TEAM NAME | COMBINED TIME OVER 3 DAYS | |
| MEN | Edwin Sesipi; Givemore Mudzinganyama |
Team ASICS Boys Gauteng | 6:43:06 |
| WOMEN | Megan Mackenzie Landie Greyling |
Team Salomon Blondie | 8:11:54 |
| MIXED | Nicolette Griffioen; AJ Calitz |
Team KWAY Nedbank | 7:38:04 |
2016
| NAMES | TEAM NAME | COMBINED TIME OVER 3 DAYS | |
| MEN | AJ Calitz; Ben Brimble |
KWAY North Face | 07:12:34 |
| WOMEN | Megan Mackenzie Landie Greyling |
KPMG Salomom Ladies | 8:28:47 |
| MIXED | Leilan Scheffer; Dawid Visser |
ASICS Beat The Sun | 8:29:33 |
2015
| NAMES | TEAM NAME | COMBINED TIME OVER 3 DAYS | |
| MEN | AJ Calitz; Bernard Rukadza |
KWAY | 6:46:00 |
| WOMEN | Meg Mackenzie; Landie Greyling |
Salomon Blondies | 8:06:26 |
| MIXED | Nic De Beer; Yolande Maclean |
CW-X Ultraspire | 7:40:46 |
2014
| NAMES | TEAM NAME | COMBINED TIME OVER 3 DAYS | |
| MEN | AJ Calitz; Bernard Rakudza |
Contego KWAY | 6:32:04 |
| WOMEN | Katya Soggot; Chantel Nienaber |
ProNutro Ladies | 8:11:58 |
| MIXED | Meg Mackenzie Andrew Erasmus |
Team Salomon | 7:39:57 |
2013
| NAMES | TEAM NAME | COMBINED TIME OVER 3 DAYS | |
| MEN | Mike Bailey; Ben Brimble |
ProNutro ASICS | 6:26:05 |
| WOMEN | Kathleen Shuttleworth; Ronel Nattrass |
Team Mizuno | 07:51:03 |
| MIXED | Landie Greyling; Christiaan Greyling |
Team iON Salomon | 7:28:59 |
2012
| NAMES | TEAM NAME | COMBINED TIME OVER 3 DAYS | |
| MEN | Mike Bailey; Antoine Van Heerden |
Velocity Sports Lab 2 | 6:49:04 |
| WOMEN | Kathleen Shuttleworth; Nicole Marais |
ProNutro JAG | 8:39:46 |
| MIXED | Iain Don Wauchope; Su Don Wauchope |
Mountain Splendour | 8:10:08 |
2011
| NAMES | TEAM NAME | COMBINED TIME OVER 3 DAYS | |
| MEN | Dawid Visser; Rohan Kennedy |
Velocity Sports Lab | 6:35:53 |
| WOMEN | Jeannie Bomford; Sarah Gray |
Hi-Tec Infinity Girls | 7:35:20 |
| MIXED | Iain Don Wauchope; Su Don Wauchope |
ProNutro Mixed | 7:19:56 |
2010
| NAMES | TEAM NAME | COMBINED TIME OVER 3 DAYS | |
| MEN | Warren Petterson; Mike Bailey |
ProNutro Boys | 5:16:12 |
| WOMEN | Linda Doke; Tatum Prins |
Team Salomon Ladies | 6:40:39 |
| MIXED | Michelle Lombardi; Mark Collins |
Team Salomon Mixed | 6:04:18 |
2009
| NAMES | TEAM NAME | COMBINED TIME OVER 3 DAYS | |
| MEN | Patrick Cox; Nicholas Rupanga |
The Mountain Hyenas | 6:49:10 |
| WOMEN | Lisa Baumann; Moyra Sheard |
Nature Conservation Corporation | 8:52:10 |
| MIXED | Susan Sloan; Ryno Griesel |
Wiley-X Suunto | 8:17:05 |
