The Salomon Featherbed Trail Run has been on the calendar for years now and considered a favourite by many. In 2013 I ran it for the first time and it truly is a special event, taking you on a sightseeing tour of Knysna with a ferry cruise to the start, and a scenic run taking in the West Head and the lagoon as you head to the finish across the old railway bridge.
Where: Knysna
When: 07h30, 12h30, 17h15, 08 July 2014 (entries open 03 March 2014)
Website: www.magneticsouth.net
The event is organised by Knysna-based event organising company Magnetic South, the amazing people who bring you the Otter African Trail Run, which guarantees you a world-class event! There are two distances on offer. The route takes you through the Featherbed Private Nature Reserve, and to control numbers the run takes place in the morning, in the afternoon, and again in the evening.
I took part in the morning Coelacanth event last year as part of my debut Knysna Big 5 Challenge and loved the experience.
Coelacanth Trail Run : 15 km
The longer Coelacanth Route will take you along the top of the Western Head where breathtaking vistas await; views across to the sheer cliffs of the Eastern Head and out over the Indian Ocean towards Buffalo Bay. Be prepared to be challenged by some hill work as you climb up from sea level to take in the splendour on the ridge line above the Heads. You’ll find well-earned relief on the downhill into Lake Brenton and along the Outeniqua Choo-Choo railway bridge to the Finish Line back at the Featherbed Ferry Terminus @ Cruise Cafe.
Seahorse Trail Run: 11.0 km
The shorter Seahorse Route takes a more direct line to the finish, with all its participants being driven to the top of the Western Head by the Featherbed Nature Reserve 4 x 4 truck and seated trailer. This will save your legs the steep, heart pumping, climb from sea level however there is still a fair share of challenging hill work to contend with as you join up with the longer Coelacanth Trail on the ridge line above the Heads. The relief will come as you descend into Lake Brenton and along the Outeniqua Choo-Choo railway bridge to the Finish Line back at the Featherbed Ferry Terminus @ Cruise Cafe.