KNYSNA. Unknown up and coming cross country runner Juwayne Fletcher caused a major upset by showing a clean pair of heals to a star-studded line up at the 2010 Salomon Featherbed Trail  Run presented by PETZL , during this year’s Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival.  The 17 year old from Uitenhage announced his presence on the trail running scene by putting a minute between him and international trail running superstar Ryan Sands, as both men were the only athletes to get a sub 1 hour time on the spectacular new course. Fletcher’s time of 58 minutes and 7 seconds stunned even course designers Chris Crewdson and John Collins who believed that a sub 60 minute run would be a near impossible task on the technical trail.    read more

What are the distances?

Coelacanth Trail Run : 15 km. This is the one to do!

The newly upgraded and 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.

Far more off road track than the original route is sure to make this a race to remember!

Seahorse Trail Run : 11.0 km

The new 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.

Far more off road track than the original route is sure to make this a race to remember!

When does the race take place?

The race will take place on Tuesday 6th of July 2010 and will also form part of “The Big 5 at The Knysna Oyster Festival” – a special package being offered by various event organisers, accommodation and lifestyle establishments.

Again due to its overwhelming popularity in both 2008 & 2009 we are now able to offer 3 races this year. Yup … you read it right – THREE RACES on offer for 2010 !

A MORNING RUN at 07.30am

An AFTERNOON RUN at 12.30pm.

A NIGHT RUN at 17.15pm

All races start at the Featherbed Ferry Terminus @ Cruise Cafe with the Ferry Trip across the Lagoon, so make sure you arrive early !

Don’t Miss The Boat !

What are the entry fees and format?

Entries are limited to 200 runners for the Morning Run, 200 runners for the Afternoon Run and 200 runners for the Night Run !

Cost per runner:

Coelacanth R 195.00 (Late entries @ Earth Scout R 250.00)
Seahorse R 175.00 (Late entries @ Earth Scout R 230.00)

Included in this entry fee:
Ferry trip across the Knysna Lagoon
Unimog Trip to the top of Featherbed Peninsula (for Seahorse Athletes)
Permits and Entry Fees to Featherbed Private Nature Reserve.
Brunch or Dinner for the respective race you entered.

You enter 1 of the above disciplines and compete as an individual. All races start with athletes taking a ferry trip across the lagoon. On arrival at Featherbed Nature Reserve, the Coelacanth athletes will start their race from the Jetty, while the Seahorse Athletes ride by 4 x 4 Unimog Truck & Trailer (almost) to the top of the Western Head where their race starts from.

When and where is registration ?

Registration will take place on the day of the races at the Cruise Cafe – Ferry Terminal.

• Morning Run Registration 05h30 to 07h15 – Ferry departs at 07h30.
• Afternoon Run Registration 10h30 to 12h15 – Ferry departs at 12h30
• Night Run Registration 15h30 to 17h00 – Ferry departs at 17h15

As the Festival will be held on the School Fields in town, parking will be a little bit more challenging than in previous years.In order to find designated Festival Parking, check this town map.

What is on the Menu?

Click here to see what the Cruise Café Chef has on offer for the various Runs.

and with your meal enjoy a complimentary Castle Lite or Appletiser.

How will the race be timed?

All participants will be timed individually.

What are the Prizes?

Great Product Prizes for Podium Finishers.

And Lucky Draw prizes?

The Legacy Hotel Group is offering 3 lucky couples the opportunity to win a weekend away to one of the following stunning 5 Star Lodges –

Kruger Park Lodge: Three nights @ R3 900/night- Valued @ R11 700.

Kuzuko Lodge: 2 nights, all inclusive and two game drives (excl drinks) @ R5 080/night- Valued @ R 10 160

Kwa Maritane: 2 nights, all inclusive (excl drinks) @ R3 740/night – Valued @ R7 480

How can I enter ?

2009 participants wishing to participate in this years Salomon Featherbed Trail Run will be given first priority and entries will open to this category only on the 15 March 2010 midday.

These past participant priority entries will need to be taken up before the 1 April 2010 midday when entries will be open to the general public.

The Big 5 Events:

This year’s Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival challenges sports people of all ages to do the Big 5 and take part in any five of the following Festival events – the Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna MTB Race and Road Race, the Salomon Featherbed Trail Run, Duesouth XTERRA presented by REHIDRAT®, the Pick n Pay Cape Times Knysna Full or Half Marathon and the Knysna Lagoon Challenge.

This is a one of a kind challenge, and for your efforts you’ll receive 10% discount on entry fees for the five races as well as discounts at a number of restaurants, activities and shops in Knysna for the duration of the Festival.

Competitors will automatically be entered into a competition which offers a prize of nine nights’ accommodation for two at Hillview self-catering apartments. Accommodation prizes will also go to 2nd and 3rd places.

For those wishing to enter “The Big 5 at the Knysna Oyster Festival” Event & Accomodation special package please enter here . Please note that 150 entries have been set aside for this special promotion only so you will need to be quick in order not to miss this boat !

Entries are limited and are allocated on a first come first serve basis.

Would you be interested in a Spectator Package ?

The Featherbed Company propose to introduce a Featherbed Trail Run Spectator package – this will allow your friends, family or supporters to board their own ferry and travel to the Knysna Heads to watch the action from the comfort of your craft. Coelacanth participants will be seen traversing the first section of trail along the jagged coast before they climb up to the top of the western Head.

Once off the ferries, Seahorse athletes will be transported by vehicle to their remote start. Unfortunately it will not be possible to move spectators to this start point however their progress will be seen from the boat on the lagoon as they travel up to their start line.

The boat will then follow the runners progress back to Knysna and, subject to the tide, offer an additional spectator point close to the main channel along the disused Chjoo Chjoo Railway Bridge – watching athletes make their way to the Finish Line at the Featherbed Ferry Terminus @ Cruise Café.

Package includes Ferry trip and a Meal at R 130.00 (Please note that a fully stocked bar is available on board to purchase your drinks.)

Bookings will be made available together with online entries on 1st of April 2010.

Please note this Spectator Package will be available subject to there being enough support.

Where can I stay ?

Please refer to the new revamped Knysna Tourism website on www.oysterfestival.co.za. All establishments listed have committed to offering you standard Festival pricings and not the super inflated price gauging that has become prevalent with the 2010 Soccer World Cup.