Exhilarating trail running experience lies ahead in Pickle Juice Africanx Trailrun

The Pickle Juice Africanx Trailrun Three-Day Stage Race will boast a strong line-up of trail runners as it celebrates its 13th anniversary at the Houw Hoek Hotel in Western Cape.

The line-up will include the likes of Nicholas Rupanga with Meyersdal’s Wandisile Nongodlwana, AJ Calitz with Bernard Rukadza and the brother and sister duo of Stuart Marais.

It will also include Kerry-Ann Marshall and Helderberg Trail Run Crew #HTRCrew members Hakeem Smith with Lovemo Nyaude and Jani Kruger with Nicola de Villiers to mention a few.

In the men’s team category, Nicholas Rupanga will celebrate his 12th running of the Africanx Trailrun in 2023.
Rupanga said it is very important to choose the correct partner because Africanx is a team event. He also said their goal will be to put 100% effort into their performance while having fun.

“Understanding each other is crucial over those three days. You win as a team and lose as a team, either way, you must help and support each other throughout. Wandisile and I have been running together for more than four years as veterans, so understanding each other well is one of our team strengths,” he said.

He reiterated that they are excited to have competition in the form of AJ and Bernie.

“But for me, it’s not about winning at Africanx, it’s about meeting new people, the camaraderie and enjoying the adventure of the event,” Rupanga said.

Gearing up for the run

Rupanga is only one of two runners that have taken part in the Africanx Trailrun 11 out of the 12 times that it has been hosted. The other runner is sports journalist Adnaan Mohamed, who will also be back in 2023.

AJ Calitz is excited to once again team up with his long-time running partner and friend Bernard Rukadza.

“Choosing the right partner to run with is like choosing the right partner to marry,” said Calitz.

“Things can very quickly go pear-shaped on the trails. My strength lies in my ability to climb and recover well. As a result, I can race hard consecutively. Bernie’s strength is everything from climbing and speed to recovery. He is a monster,” he said.

Calitz said their team strength is based on years of experience and friendship.

“We look forward to going up against Nicholas and Wandisile. They are such good mates and incredible athletes, but once the gun goes off, the racing starts. Although our goal is to race hard, we’re also looking forward to hanging out with other trail runners. Africanx is something truly special, we can’t wait,” he explained.

Hakeem Smith and Lovemo Nyaude have proven to be a team that should not be underestimated at Africanx after claiming the second spot on the podium in 2022 with their combined finishing time of six hours nine minutes 21 seconds after three days of racing.

According to Smith, there is a great sense of camaraderie at Africanx, not only among the leaders but also among the rest of the field.

“This together with the fantastic routes and great food is a serious attraction. As a competitive person, I am looking to challenge and better our 2022 results. We have trained hard in preparation and have learnt from our mistakes. We would like to push for first place but will be satisfied with any position as long as we’ve given our all and left everything out on the trails, with no regrets,” he said.

He reiterated that it has only been a year since he switched from road running to trail running.

Nyaude said: “I look forward to challenging our 2022 results with Hakeem. He is very competitive, and I am happy with the way that we work together. I recommend this event to other trail runners. It’s a fun race, it’s tough but very rewarding and the support that you receive from other trail runners and supporters is guaranteed to energise you.”

Eager for trail running

The brother and sister duo of Stuart Marais and Kerry-Ann Marshall are guaranteed to push the pace in the Mixed Team Category of the Pickle Juice Africanx Trailrun.

“Africanx is SA’s most iconic multi-stage trail running event. Racing with someone who understands you is critical. Our sports careers have always taken us in different directions, so to have this opportunity to run with my sister is pretty amazing,” Marais said.

Marshall said she loves the competitive side of this astonishing event.

“I look forward to cruising along the beautiful trails with my brother. We know each other well. We love to run hard but also have tons of fun in the process,” she said.

Jani Kruger and Nicola de Villiers will be strong contenders in the Women’s Team Category.

Kruger said she has taken part in the Africanx Trailrun twice and that one of the times was part of her honeymoon.

“It’s the vibe and being out in nature that attracts me to this event. I am looking forward to running with a new friend, the views, and the limits. My goal is to have as much fun as possible in the mountains with Nicky. I look forward to learning new things about myself and seeing where we end up. I would be blown away if we are crowned champions after three days of racing, but we don’t expect it as the competition is always tough at Africanx,” she explained.

De Villiers who is excited to make her Africanx Trailrun debut said it is the distances, the camaraderie, the team element, the vibe and the location that made her want to enter.

“I’m looking forward to pushing new limits, running with my incredible teammate, Jani and making friends with people who also love crazy mountain runs. Although I have yet to run Africanx, I would recommend it to other trail runners, even if it’s just for the training build-up fun that I’ve had with Jani,” she said.