“Let Nature Give You A Run For Your Money”
Megan Pentz-Kluyts (Big Bay, Cape Town) and Susan Rheeder (Parklands, Cape Town) will celebrate their PICKLE JUICE AFRICANX TRAILRUN 3-Day Stage Race debut by making their entries count and running for a cause, the National Sterilization Project (NSP), the weekend of 17 – 19 March 2023, when SA’s premier three-day stage trail run returns to the picturesque Houw Hoek Hotel (Western Cape).
A registered non-profit organisation, the NSP was established in 2008 to reduce the growing number of unwanted and neglected pets through an ongoing, nationwide mass sterilization program.
“I entered the AFRICANX TRAILRUN on the recommendation of friends that have done it. They said that it’s a fabulous race, it’s well organised and loads of fun,” says Pentz-Kluyts. “I’m a social runner and look forward to having fun, to finishing, but most importantly running for animals. I’m excited to be running with Susan, she also enjoys trail running, the outdoors, and loves animals. When she says she’ll commit, she commits. NSP is an important cause for both of us and we’d really appreciate it if other trail runners could either donate towards the cause or share the link to our Charity Drive page. Every bit helps.”
“When Megan asked me to consider being her teammate, I thought she was quite mad,” admits Rheeder. “I like to challenge my own limits though, so I didn’t have to think too hard about saying yes. Some of our friends entered last year and its sounds like a blast. My goal is to have fun, enjoy the experience and walk away with a sense of achievement. It would really mean a lot if we could raise some much-needed funds for NSP. The organisation really does fantastic work in the community. No donation is too small.”
Megan and Susan’s Fund Raising Campaign can be supported via the following link: https://www.givengain.com/ap/megan-pentz-kluyts-and-susan-rheeder-raising-funds-for-national-sterilization-project-/
“NSP receives no government funding and relies solely on the generosity of the animal loving public,” says Debra Buys, NSP National Project Coordinator. “We raise funds for organisations that attend to mass sterilisation projects in very poor communities and in remote communities where there is little or absolutely no access to vets. The goal is to reduce the number of unwanted, neglected and abused animals that live a life of misery on our streets. Our projects have extended to remote communities on the Wild Coast, Port Nolloth and the Karoo. Megan and Susan are raising funds for two of our beneficiaries closer to home – African Tails and The Lucky Lucy Foundation. Both of these organisations work tirelessly in their communities to sterilise pets and attend to other medical emergencies. Every R450 raised equals one sterilisation. We wish Megan and Susan a safe and fun run. We are thankful for their support and commitment to help make a difference for the animals that are less fortunate.”
For more information or to support the National Sterilization Project (NSP) please visit their website https://nsp.org.za/ and/or their Facebook page @NSPZA.
EVENT INFORMATION: PICKLE JUICE AFRICANX TRAILRUN 3-Day Stage Race
Celebrating its 13th anniversary in 2023, the PICKLE JUICE AFRICANX TRAILRUN 3-Day Stage Race will treat trail running enthusiasts to three days of fantastic trail running in the heart of the Overberg Region (Western Cape). Launched in 2009, AFRICANX is synonymous with magnificent trails, spectacular views, mouth-watering food, a relaxed atmosphere, great vibe and most importantly, TEAMWORK! Teams of two trail running enthusiasts (male/female/mixed) will be seen battling it out on a route varying in distances each day.
| DATE: | Friday 17 – Sunday 19 March 2023 |
| VENUE: | Houw Hoek Hotel (Western Cape) |
| EVENT FORMAT: | 3-Day Stage Trail Run |
| ENTRY FORMAT: | Teams of Two Runners (male / female / mixed) |
| DISTANCE: | Stage 1: +- 24 km
Stage 2: +- 32 km Stage 3: +- 18 km |
| ENTRY FEE OPTIONS: | OPTION 1: Standard / R3600.00 per runner
OPTION 2: Standard plus dinner / R4200.00 per runner OPTION 3: Standard plus dinner & tent / R4600.00 per runner |
NEW TITLE SPONSOR: Stillwater Sports, the organisers of South Africa’s premier three-day stage trail run are excited to welcome PICKLE JUICE as the title sponsor of the PICKLE JUICE AFRICANX TRAILRUN in 2023. Created for endurance athletes, PICKLE JUICE is formulated to stop muscle cramps and help athletes to stay hydrated, making it the perfect partner to have at a three-day stage trail run. CLICK HERE for more information or to purchase PICKLE JUICE.
‘SANET WENTZEL SPIRIT’ AWARD: Stillwater Sports is calling on all PICKLE JUICE AFRICANX TRAILRUN entrants to submit their nominations for the event’s treasured ‘Sanet Wentzel Spirit’ Award. Introduced in the second year of the PICKLE JUICE AFRICANX TRAILRUN (2010) in honour of Sanet Wentzel, an Oudtshoorn based athlete who passed away tragically at the end of 2009, the ‘Sanet Wentzel Spirit’ Award honours the AFRICANX’s most inspirational athletes, athletes who persevere irrespective of the adversity that they face. Nominations for the award can be sent to entries@stillwatersports.com
For more information CLICK HERE
ELITE RACE: The 2023 PICKLE JUICE AFRICANX TRAILRUN will boast a strong line-up of trail runners including the likes of Nicholas Rupanga (Kenilworth, Cape Town) with Wandisile Nongodlwana (Meyersdal, Johannesburg), AJ Calitz (Melkbosstrand) with Bernard Rukadza (Gugulethu), the brother and sister duo of Stuart Marais (Addo, Eastern Cape) and Kerry-Ann Marshall (Newlands, Cape Town), and Helderberg Trail Run Crew #HTRCrew members Hakeem Smith (Somerset West) with Lovemo Nyaude (Somerset West) and Jani Kruger (Strand) with Nicola de Villiers (Somerset West) to mention just a few.
DRESS UP COMPETITION: The PICKLE JUICE AFRICANX TRAILRUN will once again close off on a high note with entrants vying for the coveted title of ‘Best Dressed Team’ on Sunday during the third and final stage of the event. The competition is fierce, with trail runners pulling out all the stops to secure the coveted ‘Best Dressed Team’ title. To be in the running to be crowned the ‘Best Dressed Team’ and win an entry into the 2024 PICKLE JUICE AFRICANX TRAILRUN both runners need to wear their outfits for the duration of the stage, from start to finish.
For more information CLICK HERE
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For additional information on the PICKLE JUICE AFRICANX TRAILRUN 3-Day Stage Race please visit www.stillwatersports.com, contact Stillwater Sports on 082 991 0045 or email entries@stillwatersports.com.
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