Goukamma Traverse tracked to Rondevlei Ramsar site

GEORGE NEWS - The spectacular Goukamma Nature Reserve, a Cape Nature reserve to the east of Sedgefield, is usually host to the tough yet popular annual Goukamma Traverse Trail Run.

This year, however, the event will take place at the Cape Dune Molerat Trail on Saturday 31 March, with registration taking place at Lakeside Lodge, situated on Swartvlei on the borders of Wilderness and Sedgefield.

The venue had to be moved from Goukamma due to the damage sustained in the reserve during the Knysna fires in June 2017. The organisers of the trail run say that, despite the green flush coming through, the reserve is still in recovery phase and they would like to give it more time to bounce back to its usual beauty.

"Surrounded as we are by so much choice for special places to do a trail run," said race director Amanda Dixon, "we made the decision to move it to the Cape Dune Molerat Trail, part of the Wilderness section of SANParks' Garden Route National Park.

The trail is situated in the hamlet of Rondevlei, six kilometers west of Sedgefield, and overlooks Rondevlei, one of a series of lakes between Swartvlei to the east and the Touw river to the west.

A spectacular outdoor enthusiast's paradise, it hosts a variety of aquatic, bird and plant species and has been proclaimed a Ramsar site (a wetland of international importance)."

The trail run will take on the new name "Rondevlei Traverse" and distances will include the 16km traverse and a 5km family fun trail run.

"The 16km route is a tough and challenging run," said Dixon, "and will traverse single track trails through fynbos biome on the Cape Dune Molerat Trail and into primary Afromontane forest trails on private farms to the north of the reserve.

The 5km run is a perfect circular route for beginner trail runners and kids. Both distances will give runners spectacular panoramic views of some of the inland vleis and lakes to the east, south and north."

With sweeping views over Swartvlei, the start / finish for the Rondevlei Traverse will be at the magnificent five-star Lakeside Lodge.

Karl Pietersen, general manager of Lakeside Lodge said, "We're very excited to be hosting the event at our lodge. It's the perfect setting to host an outdoor event and we'll be adding a few Easter trail running specials to our menu for the day for all who are hungry. We have also sponsored two lucky draw prizes; 2-night stays for 2 people sharing with a 2-course dinner and breakfast."

Register for the 16km run from 07:15 to 08:15. The race starts at 08:30. Register for the 5km run from 07:30 to 08:45. The race starts at 09:00.