The landscape is painted with autumn colours. The growing season has drawn to a halt, and the cold fronts are sweeping through the land. This is the time of the year when the cross country runners, trail runners, and endurance runners step forward to compete in some of the toughest events on the running calendar.

The Cross Country running season is underway with the Fezile Dabi Cross Country Running League already gaining momentum. This league comprises a series of seven events that includes the Fezile Dabi District Championship.

This league was started by Parys Multisport in 2021, with Koedoeslaagte Trail Park being selected as the home of Fezile Dabi Cross Country. In 2024, the league expanded to include Kroonstad when Trio High School showed interest in hosting leagues at the Landbouterrein.

Sasolburg was added to the family in 2026, with Prime Athletics Club now hosting their first season of leagues on the new cross country running course next to the DP De Villiers Stadium.

The season has just started, and the league already includes more than 500 athletes who are representing 40 clubs and schools in our district.

Sharing the calendar with the Cross Country League is the very popular two-day Crater Traverse Trail Run presented by Anatomic and Koedoeslaagte.

The fourth presentation of the Crater Traverse Trail Run will take place at Koedoeslaagte Trail Park on May 16 and 17. Trail Runners from near and far usually participate in this event that will take them on a two-day traverse of the UNESCO Crater Impact Site.

The Crater Traverse also includes a fun run, or “Lekka Run,” for athletes who want to participate in a single stage of this event. Athletes who compete for the prize money and podium positions will be ranked by the fastest combined time achieved for both days.
Specators are welcome to come and support these athletes. Remember that all routes at Koedoeslaagte will be closed this weekend due to the Crater Traverse.

For more information, visit https://www.cratertraverse.com/