Description
CHEESE, WINE & OLIVE TRAIL
Sat, 22nd February 2025. 6km, 12km, 16km
Exclusive Trail Running on Private Farmlands with shaded streams. Limited to 350 Entries
Venue: Van Gaalen Cheese Farm : https://www.vangaalen.co.za
Distance & Entry Fee :
16km – R330 pp
12km – R310 pp
6km – R290 pp
Children under 12 years – R170 pp
Entry Includes : Finisher Medal (a branded wine glass at the finish line for a well deserved wine tasting) accompanied by a cheese & olive vendor experience, chill zone with live music, fully stocked water-points, exclusive access to well-marked trails, trail fees, medical support, fabulous restaurant on site with optional gin & beer on tap. A true Wild Africa Experience awaits you!
Start Time / Batches:
Max. 50 pax will depart every 10 min
06h30 / 06h40 / 06h50 16km batch
07h00 / 07h10 / 07h20 12km batch
07h30 / 07h40 / 07h50 6km batch
Kindly note that numbers are strictly limited, not only due to the impact on the reserve & neighbouring farms but because we like to keep these trails exclusive & intimate
*** 2025 Ambassador Programme: See below
Registration: 45–60 minutes prior to batch start, beginning from 05:30am (first briefing at 06h20 sharp for A Batch)
Lucky Draw: As our ethos is around Experiences, we don’t do prizes for placings however a lucky draw with some great prizes will take place after the run so everyone has a chance.
Timing: Runners are required to record their individual time using their own devices if required. Once you cross the finish line please drop your wrist band into the bucket for our virtual lucky draw and write your timing down at the timing zone if needed for points. Timings will be published on our website in the week for Discovery Vitality Point submissions etc
General Information : Van Gaalen trails range from routes covered with a canopy of trees and an abundance of reed tunnels and bridges to those with plenty of shade along the Magalies & Scheerpoort Rivers showing off forests, pecan nut plantations & farmlands. It’s a truly festive morning out in the country & one not to be missed. Distances includes a 6km, 12km & 16km where you will experience a myriad of terrain (note walkers are welcome to join us on the 6km & 12km routes). If you’re looking for an invigorating morning out followed by a tasting sensation, this is truly one not to be missed. Entries are limited to only 350 runners so please book soon.
Route: Wild Africa Experiences have rated the route a 2/5 for the 6km & 12km and a 2.5/5 for the 16km which ascends to the base of the Magalies Mountain Range (5 being the most difficult). Routes are largely single track meandering along both Rivers with lots of shade and magnificent bird life. The 16km traverses along the base of the valley to the foothills of the Magalies mountain, passing an enclosed Buffalo camp. We cater for all fitness levels from 6km to 16km routes so it’s a great way to kick off the new year & stretch those legs! Walkers / hikers are more than welcome to join us.
Medals: Participants will receive a branded wine glass as your medal at the finish line along with a well-deserved wine tasting, including at least 5 fabulous wine farms (for those who are 18 years & over). There will also be several cheese & olive vendors, offering a great experience to compliment the wine tasting. Don’t miss this trail & festival, it promises to be a great one!
Take Note:
Walkers / hikers are more than welcome to join us
Cut off time is estimated at 03h00 hours from first batch – finishing field 09h30
Thank you for supporting our ethos “Tread Lightly” – all we leave behind are our footprints
There will be No Refunds due to rain or lightning cancellation
No licence is necessary to take part in the run
Minimum age of 18 years to partake in any of the wine tasting activities
All athletes participate at their own risk
Toilet facilities available at start / finish
Good secure parking available
Refreshments table available at various points including water / coke
Late entries on the day will be charged an additional R30 per person (subject to availability should the event not be sold out)
General Information:
Coffee & tea will be on sale before the run and there will be an optional runners breakfast available at Van Gaalens afterwards as well as the restaurant onsite.
Your safety is our number one concern. Whilst so much has changed, some things will thankfully still stay the same. We will continue with our exclusive & intimate trail runs in some hidden away valley and runners can be rest assured that your safety remains our absolute priority.
2025 Ambassadors Programme: The Ambassadors Programme really is based around a group of like minded adventure seekers with some phenomenal camaraderie, gees and support all around. We will continue with this initiative in 2025 with the intention to personally acknowledge & celebrate each one of you who completes at least 12 Wild Africa Experiences trails in the year (one a month but we have included both day & night trails just in case…) There is no cost to sign up and for those who achieve this challenge, you’ll be invited to our 2025 Year End Tribal Gathering as a celebration, along with a few ‘surprise & delights’ along the way so please use this Run as an excuse to register (should you miss January’s kick off). Time to lace up & make sure your entries are in. The adventure calls!
Withdrawal, Substitutions, Roll-overs:
All entry fees for the Event are non-refundable / non-transferable under all circumstances permitted by law, including, but not limited to, cancellation of the Event for any reason including withdrawal of your participation in the Event, or change in the date, nature, or format of the Event.
7 days and more prior to the event, refunds or roll-overs are permissible at the sole discretion of the organizer and based on medical grounds only. For refunds, an administration fee of 25% will be applicable. Alternatively, roll overs are valid for a maximum of 3 months with a maximum of one date change. If the participant does not, for any reason utilize the entry within 3 months, their entry will no longer be valid nor refunded.
0-6 days prior to the event, NO refunds or roll-overs are allowed, however substitutions are permissible at any time leading up to the event. Kindly ensure you email us on explore@wildafricaexperiences.co.za in order to assist further.
You acknowledge that the Event may be cancelled or changed due to government directives, severe weather or any other factors that may be considered to threaten the safety of participants as determined by the Event organiser in its sole discretion. We have always strived to deliver on each & every event but due to the nature of our activities, some natural elements are out of our hands. Unfortunately, there is a no refund policy on bookings due to rain or lightening.
Enquiries
Contact : Wild Africa Experiences. Paul or Belinda
Contact number : 083 642 6698 / 081 018 2320 explore@wildafricaexperiences.co.za
