The annual Bestmed Chokka Trail Run will this year take place over the weekend of 30 – 31 October 2021 in the greater St Francis, Eastern Cape. The main events will be hosted on Saturday 30 October and the 5km Business Challenge and junior races set for Sunday. As always, attending this event will result in a relaxed stay at our host venue, the Cape St Francis Resort.
Although the race was initially scheduled for the Women’s Day long weekend around 9 August, the current global Covid-19 pandemic and third wave led to the decision to rather postpone the race to October. God willing, the race date for 2022 will move back to the August long weekend.
Enter now
With uncertainties organisers Eric and Esti Stewart from St Francis Sport have decided to adopt a “book now and pay later” approach. “No one knows on what level the country will be in October, but we will follow all protocols stipulated at the time. We have capped entries to 100 per event, and will only open it up for more closer to the time when we are sure larger numbers for outdoor events are allowed,” says Eric. “We also understand that no one wants to pay for an event if they are not sure they can attend – hence the book now, so we can start organising, and pay later, when you know you can come approach.”
Online entries will be open till Friday 29 October at 18:00 to ensure a smooth number collection on race weekend, but if you want a race shirt or buff as part of your entry, you need to get your entry in (and pay) before the 31st of August, 2021. Entries after the 31st of August will be 15% more, and only emergency on the day entries, by prior arrangement, will be allowed at a penalty rate.
Read on for more info:
The main races (62km, 43km, 23km and 10km) will take place on Saturday 30 October while the 5km and kids races (1km and 3km) will take place on Sunday 31st. At this stage no prize giving ceremonies are allowed. Although there will be self help water stations along the various routes, it is advised to carry adequate water for your own safety.
Late registration and number collection will be on Friday 29 October between 15h00 and 17h00 at the Cape St Francis Resort.
Details for Saturday 30 October are as follows:
62km: Race briefing is at 05h45 and the race starts at 06h00.
42km: Late registration from 05h45 – 06h15, race briefing at 06h15 and the race for runners starts at 06h30 and walkers 06h35.
23km: Late registration from 06h30 – 07h15, race briefing at 7h15 and the race for runners start at 07h30 and walkers 07h35.
10km: Late registration from 07h00 – 07h45, race briefing at 07h45 and the race for runners start at 08h00 and walkers 08h05.
On Sunday 31 October the 5km number collection can be done between 08h00 and 08h30, race briefing is at 08h45 and the race starts at 09h00 for runners and 09h05 for walkers. Entries for the 1km and 3km can be done from 08h00 till 10h00 and race briefing is at 10h15 for the 3km. The 1km race will be done straight after the 3km race.
Entry fees:
62km: R1 000 which includes a race shirt (until 31/08/2021) and tracker, R1 150 thereafter.
42km: R700 which includes a race shirt (until 31/08/2021) and tracker, R850 thereafter.
23km: R250 which includes a race buff (until 31/08/2021), R300 thereafter.
10km: R150 which includes a race buff (until 31/08/2021), R180 thereafter.
5km Charity Run: R300 per team.
5km: R50 (R70 after 31 Aug).
3km: R30
1km: R20
Additional race shirts and buffs can be ordered until 31 August 2021 at R250 per shirt, and R80 per buff. Please note a late registration fee of R100 per entry will be charged after 19h00 on Friday 29 October.
Charity Challenge
Businesses, schools and charity organisations are invited to participate in the 5km Charity Challenge which is a team effort. Teams of 4 run (or walk) 5km, and their individual finishing times added together is the team’s time. The winning team will win a Bestmed hamper, a Team Building Event from the Cape St Francis Resort as well as R2000.00 for their nominated charity or school.
Routes
Here are the route maps, but you will have to listen to the race briefing, as we will run it in the opposite direction that previous years!
10km – Elevation gain: 115m
23km – Elevation gain: 218m
42km – Elevation gain: 520m
62km – Elevation gain: 958m
Accommodation
The Cape St Francis Resort offers a crazy weekend special: book 2 nights and you get a third one free at R385 per person per night sharing, while children under 12 stay for half price. Contact Anita Lennox on [email protected] to book.
Beneficiary
The beneficiary of the Bestmed Chokka Trail Run is the Beach Clean-up Project. The race is organised by St Francis Sport, sponsored by Bestmed Medical Aid and hosted by the Cape St Francis Resort with internet support by TCS St Francis Bay.
So, without further ado, get your entry in by clicking here!
Contact:
Esti Stewart 073 825 0835
Eric Stewart 082 394 7363
Or email [email protected]
