The annual Buco Kowie Striders Pineapple Run will once again take place this coming weekend, challenging runners to race from the Big Pineapple in Bathurst to the Port Alfred Country Club. The event, which contains both a 27km and 10km race, is set to take place on Saturday 6 October, with runners from across the province expected to Smash the 2018 Pineapple Run.
The Kowie Striders have hosted this event fora number of years, and are looking forward to hosting another highly successful race in what is expected to be perfect conditions on race day.
This route is a mixture of town and rural country roads. Most of the climbing is done in the first half of the 27km, and the second half is run on gravel roads through farms and game farms. The last 5km heads into Port Alfred. The 10km is a fast course in and around Port Alfred, with one steep hill at the half-way mark.
Walkers of the 27km race will set off from the Big Pineapple at 7h00, before the runners begin their chase at 7h30. The race cutoffs will be at 11;45 and 11;30 respectively, giving both sets of participants over four hours to complete the challenge. Both the runners and walkers attempting to smash the 10km route will start at 8h00 from the Port Alfred Country Club, and will look to finish before the cutoff at 10h00.
Those worried about the early start to the race, and concerned about making it to the start line, can take advantage of the limited seating on the transport bus, which will depart from the Port Alfred Country Club at 5h30, and will cost runners only R25. Camping is also permitted free of charge on Friday night ahead of the race at the Port Alfred Country Club.
Those that complete the race can look forward to a number of spot prizes, as well as cash prizes for the top three finishers in each category. A fun atmosphere is expected throughout the day, making the Pineapple Run another essential event on the running calendar.
