Trail runners in need of a well-deserved break from the city, are invited to participate in the annual Heritage Day trail run hosted at the historic Neethlingshof wine estate outside Stellenbosch on Sunday September 24.
Established more than 300 years ago, Neethlingshof Estate boasts some of the best restored and preserved traditional Cape Dutch buildings, leaving visitors with a distinct sense of history and old-world charm.
The run forms part of the TrailFun Holiday Series and is the perfect way to explore the farm and surrounding winelands. As a member of the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy (BHRC) and a WWF Conservation Champion, Neethlingshof is committed to biodiversity-friendly and regenerative farming practices.
Situated in the heart of the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve, the BHRC serves as a buffer zone to protect and maintain the rich biodiversity of the area.
The critically endangered Renosterveld of which only an estimated 5% remains, is in full bloom. Bulbs and daisies are transforming the green meadows into a sea of colour.
The original inhabitants of the Western Cape, the San and Khoi, used Renosterveld plants for food, medicine, and grazing. In the Fynbos biome and specifically the Renosterveld, biodiversity has been compromised by loss of habitat from microbes expected to be present in the soil to pollinators and other fauna responsible for seed distribution.
Runners can show their support to conservation by entering this event. Runners can choose between a relaxed run for which you can arrive anytime from 7am to 9am, collect your timing card and start at leisure, or join the race start at 7.40am for the 10km and 8am for the 5km run.
On-the-day-entries are from 7am to 9.20am for the relaxed run only.
Entries can be done online at entries.trailfun.co.za and cost R135 for the 5km, R135 for the 10km loop and R165 for the 21km.
Juniors can run the 5km at a cost of R70. You can add a bottle of Neethlingshof Chenin Blanc valued at R100 for an additional R55 to your entry.
