Challengers set to run gauntlet
Annual race to test limits of all ages
ADVENTURE race enthusiasts can start gearing up as entries for this year’s Lilyfontein Adventure Race have officially opened ahead of the event taking place in early September.
The ever popular annual adventure race draws in excess of 450 participants of all ages, who compete across various distances.
This year’s September 2 race will be held during the Jikeleza Festival at Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve on the East Coast Resorts Road.
“Joining with the festival adds a whole new dimension to both events and we look forward to a successful partnership,” said the head of the Lilyfontein Adventure Programme, Margaret Mitchell.
“The routes offered by this unique location are physically challenging and only available to competitors of the race.
“We challenge all athletes and schools in the province to join the adventure race revolution to see what we are talking about,” Mitchell said.
This year, the challenging adventure race will celebrate its 17th event. The multidiscipline event for teams of four or two will include participants ranging in age from seven to 70.
Adventure racing offers running, hiking, cycling, paddling and many more adventure-orientated challenges in a race format.
Using a map and compass, teams will have to navigate their way through several activities to reach specific checkpoints, which will test both their mental and physical fitness, as well as their team work skills.
“The combination of the individual disciplines of other events, such as running, cycling, paddling, kloofing and orienteering, into one event and the team work factor, make adventure racing truly unique,” explained Mitchell.
“When a team finishes the Lilyfontein Adventure Race, each individual knows they have managed to achieve something great.
“If you can complete in an adventure race, you grow in self-confidence and feel able to take on other challenges in your daily life.
“It sounds like a big statement but we have observed this in the Lilyfontein School pupils who take part.”
As always, the Lilyfontein Adventure Race will act as a regional qualifier for schools interested in participating in the SA Schools’ Adventure Racing Championships later in the year.
In addition to the school categories, there are corporate categories for the serious adventurer and family/fun categories for those just wanting a taste of adventure racing.
Each year, at least six different routes are put together. Each is unique and offers its own variety of terrain and scenery.
The aim is to expose people to the sport of adventure racing and to promote the local East Coast Resorts area.
To find out more, visit Lilyfontein School’s website at www.lilyfontein.co.za and entries are available online via ROAG.