Tru-Cape apple and pear Packhouse Challenge Race in August 

Twins Modise and Modisane Maputle of Beaulieu Farm in Grabouw.

The seventh Tru-Cape Packhouse Challenge trail run is on Saturday, August 27, 2016. Now in its second year at the Grabouw Country Club, the Tru-Cape Packhouse Challenge trail run, a 36.1Km divided run in three separate races with challenging single track, heavy climbs and precipitous downhills in the Grabouw forest pits the apple and pear packing houses against each other in a race to prove which packhouse can win by completing the most collective kilometres.

Tru-Cape’s Quality Assurance Manager, Henk Griessel, a trail running fan himself, says that Grabouw packhouse Kromco won the race last year with the maximum number of runners completing the greatest distance. “The first race is the most challenging”, he says of the 21.1Km route which begins at 07h30 with the easier 10km route beginning at 10am and easier still, 5km to be run or walked with friends, family “even dogs”, he says, starts at 11.30am. Prize giving, which includes a much coveted Tru-Cape Trophy to the winning packhouse is at 12.30. Medals are awarded to all runners but runners who completed all three races will receive a special additional medal.

According to Griessel, the closing date for packhouse entries is August 13 and queries can made at henkg@tru-cape.co.za. Two-A-Day’s Petra van Rensburg, representing the Elgin Grabouw Running Club, is available for queries at petra@tad.co.za or 082 776-8811. Elgin Valley Tourism Bureau can assist with accommodation enquiries on 021 848 9838.