The Magnetic South offices have continued to buzz with all the excitement of their 2009 events being snapped up with great enthusiasm !

With little under a month before the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival bursts into life with hordes of festinos congregating in this part of the world – we thought it best to let you know what we still had available and what was in the pot for the second half of the year.

Salomon Adventure Nights / Petzl Night Run Saturday 4 July 2009

This has been an unexpected surprise and we are over 80% full – in the past many of our regulars left entering this to the last minute however judging by the demand we can’t see there being anything available if you leave it too late.

With the option of HOT showers and access to the 5 Star facilities on offer at the Simola Golf & Country Estate, its going to be hard to drag yourself out of the luxurious warm comfort zone of the clubhouse and into the full moon night – but the Magnetic South crew will be creating yet another exciting and adventure packed route that will have you wanting more. Don’t forget to bring your towel & toiletries, your Petzl Headlamp and those Salomons and enjoy the unique pre and post race vibe that the Petzl Night Run has created in its 5 years of existence.

Salomon Adventure Nights / Capestorm Night Bike Sunday 5 July 2009

Last year the heavens opened and the Capestorm Night Bike will never be forgotten for the epic challenge of mud and cow pooh that greeted the riders as rural farm roads transformed themselves into an unrideable quagmire. Its been hard to find conditions like these in the hills of the Simola Golf & Country Estate again however in true Salomon Adventure Nights tradition you are in for an evening of riding through eerie forests, exhilarating single tracks, and the confusing maze of golf cart tracks as you make your way along the marked and route book courses that border the urban fringe of Knysna. Pack those Capestorm riding pants and tops, dust off your Salomon backpacks and ahhhh – don’t forget your towel & toiletries to soak away the weary muscles as you enjoy a HOT shower and the plush comforts of Simola hospitality afterwards.

Salomon Featherbed Trail Run / Tuesday 7 July 2009

Many called this “the new cult event of the festival” and for 2009, The Featherbed Company recognised this by giving the runners out there the option to either participate in the Breakfast / AM Run or the original Supper / PM Run. The demand for entries has been beyond our wildest imagination with the 13km Coelacanth Breakfast route now chokka block (a waiting list has been opened). Don’t despair though because there is still space to enter the 7km Seahorse Breakfast route. The Supper / PM Run which is filling FAST, so get your entries in quickly !

Where else can you catch a ferry, enjoy running in a protected private nature reserve, with ecologically sensitive forest, fynbos and craggy cliffs that will take your breath away as you take in 360 degree views of ocean, lagoon and mountains. Add into the mix a stretch of disused railway line and urban development as you dash for the finish line with a Cruise Café meal to complete the experience ! This is something you don’t want to miss the boat for ! Enter Now www.magneticsouth.net

Robberg Express / Saturday 26 September 2009

What a challenge this turned out to be last year with the leading athletes doing battle with the sea god – Poseidon and creating the opportunity for Jeannie “The Bomb” Bomford to hold firm and snatch victory from her male competitors. The crashing seas and profusion of breaching whales was a spectacle of nature’s ability to balance the scales with mankind. After very careful consideration, the 2009 Robberg Express and Robberg Raggie will only include the MTB and Trail Running legs with competitor safety being the priority – so this may disappoint the kayakers who relished the odds last year however you still have a soul food ride starting in the Harkerville forests and the technical trail run around Robberg to feast the senses. Nothing like an adrenaline packed Spring Clean for those Winter Weary souls ! Entries Open 1 July 2009

The Southern Storm & The Otter – African Trail Run / September 2009

Both the stand alone Otter Run and the multi day, multi stage Southern Storm Duathlon filled to capacity within weeks of opening and a waiting list has continued to attract numbers of hopeful athletes. This once in a lifetime opportunity has stirred up the emotions and the big question everyone is asking ….. Can The Otter be run in under 5 hours? Many out there have even questioned if the 5 Day Otter Hiking Trail can in fact be run all in one day ? What an experience this promises to be and all eyes will be on the Garden Route come Spring this year !

Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge / December 2009

Doing nothing special this coming Christmas holidays? Pencil in the Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge, brought to you by Stonehage, happening 28 December 2009 in Plettenberg Bay. What a fine way to end off the year by entering this charity based event and supporting the disabled kids of the Sabrina Love Foundation. Take your pick of a 6 km Ocean Swim, or 3 km Beach Walk, or 10 km Run or 15 km Paddle. Something for everyone with more details to follow.