AFRICANX TRAILRUN

AFRICANX TRAILRUN – Houw Hoek Hotel

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:
  • 6 Meals (breakfast & lunch)
  • First Ascent event garment
  • Finisher tee
  • Finisher medal
  • Race village
  • Chill area: pool bar
  • Fully stocked waterpoints
  • Awesome goody bag
  • Exclusive access to trails
  • Trail fees
  • Full medical support
  • Well marked trails 
  • Hot showers & toilets
  • Evening prize giving’s
  • True original AFRICANX experience
  • Timing
  • Pool Party with Live music
  • Slip n Slide Fun
  • Bingo evening

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

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