KnysnaX Summer Trail Run 19km

The KnysnaX Trail Run is held seasonally - spring, summer, autumn and winter, organised by Peter Szeili. The route is the same each time but he does alternate the direction with each event. The summer running took place on 29 December 2024.

I met Peter two years ago when I did his Oyster Festival Amazing Race with my friend Rob, who knows Peter. We did the Amazing Race again this year. I've also been at the same event as Peter with product stands - him with his KnysnaX run shorts and tees, and me with AR Gaiters. 

I've missed a bunch of Peter's events. I've either had something else on or the muscle-related (lower back, tight quad and glute) knee niggle that I've had on and off this year.

While I'm not completely clear of current left-knee flare, I've been running well, feeling good, doing well at crossfit and working my biokineticist exercises. After a solid 10km run on our local December FKT route in the days before the summer sun, I confirmed my entry for the 18km event.

The weather forecast was for hot and humid - and it was. Rob recommended that I wear my AR Adventure Gaiters against the overgrown grasses and plants along the railway line, and he had also sent me the altitude profile (flat, up, up, up and then down, down, down).

My mom Liz came through with me, dropping me at the start in Knysna. This is an A-to-B route and while there is a shuttle at the finish to get you back to your car at the start, the finish was at Blackwater Lodge which is on my way home. Liz headed through to the finish for breakfast and to wait for me in the shade of their beautiful big trees on the Goukamma River.

The route started off on the old railway line crossing the Knysna lagoon. That was pretty cool to run along there. 

We stuck on the railway track through the Belvidere area to where the railway line meets the Brenton road - approx 6km. While flat terrain, it was actually hard going because of the baking heat, even early in the morning before 8am. 

This is actually overgrown railway - you can make out some sleepers. Very sandy. I was glad for my gaiters.

I was really feeling the heat when I got to the first waterpoint. I drank some water and put some ice down the back of my tee.

Walking into the waterpoint.

The route then went up the road and across to the other side to hook up on forestry roads. I was looking forward to the uphill ahead to walk a bit.

First, a hello to Peter around a bend.

The wide forestry roads were mostly contouring with a few steep climbs. I used the ups to walk, stretch my legs, drink and snack, and to cool down. I was feeling good on these middle kilometres and enjoyed the running.

The last few kilometres were hot again and on the railway line, which takes focus and concentration. It was fun overtaking a few people.

A really lovely section with smatterings of shade. It was hot though. I had a few little walkies.

Lots of festivities coming into the finish at Blackwater Lodge. Such a beautiful venue.

I logged 19.2km and a run time of 2h24. Fair. It was great to be out there. I had a bit of left upper calf stiffness that worked itself out after a few days. Left knee mostly fine.

I don't feel quite that I'm 'back' - not the return of the invincibility feeling of old that I felt in July, but I'm feeling mostly good and strong. Aside from being hot, the run was smooth.