After successful negotiations with relevant authorities, landowners and conservancies, the 2020 MaxiRace South Africa will take place on Saturday December 12 in Stellenbosch.
Due to the current Level 1 curfew restrictions, the 120km route has had to fall away for this year, but the 75km, 40km and 20km routes, which were designed by the team and tested by trail running super-couple, Landie and Christiaan Greyling, will still be run.
“We are very excited to still be able to host this iconic race after all that has taken place this year,” says race director, Ockie van Zyl.
“As athletes ourselves, we are looking forward to getting out on this exquisite course and hope that it will be a great end of year celebration for all who take part.”
“The organisers are really excited for MaxiRace 2020, given everything that happened since Covid-19. MaxiRace 2020 will be a great way to end this year,” says Landie and Christiaan Greyling.
“The 40km option is a brand new route, so runners can look forward to traversing the most beautiful single track in and around Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, including the magnificent Banhoek trails to Bartinney with a rollercoaster downhill towards the finish at Stellenbosch High.”
Race tips:
- Be sure to incorporate a couple of back-to-back long runs leading up to your race. A back-to-back run is a long run (e.g 30km) followed by another long run (e.g 20km) the following day, to teach your body to cope with running on tired legs.
- Do your longer runs with friends or groups, and involve your family where you can to keep the motivation up.
- It is very important to stay healthy and strong. Eat and sleep well, foam roll or go for regular massages, cross train, strengthen your core, go to the biokeneticist and work on your mobility exercises.
- Taper before your race. Tapering does not mean no running – it simply means less mileage and less intensity. Begin your taper two weeks before race day by reducing your mileage to 60% of what you’ve been doing. With one week to go, reduce that by half. Two days before the race, have a rest day, then use the day before race day to go for a short, quick jog to wake the legs.
- Nutrition, including hydration can be the make or break of your race, so make sure you get it right. If you’re doing the 40km and 75km, make sure you:
- Eat from the first hour, don’t wait until you are hungry!
- Start with solid foods, gels work better in the last 25% of the race, when you need that extra little kick of caffeine and sugar.
- Hydrate well, as it can be very hot in December. Especially with electrolytes and/or carbs drinks. Don’t simply drink water, it will only further dilute your system.
- If you’re doing the 20km route, a couple of gels and water (with electrolytes) should do the trick
- Most important, train with all the nutrition (and know what will be available at the aid stations) that you plan to use on race day, so that your body can get used to it. Use them on long runs, and in the same conditions you expect for your race – some foods react differently in different temperatures.
- Unexpected things can happen – be flexible about your fuelling and have a back-up plan in place if things go wrong.
- Carefully test your kit and gear before race day. Wear it on a few long runs in good time before the event to test its comfort, thermal qualities, where it might chafe you, etc.
- Choose what works for you, rather than simply opting for the latest craze.
- Familiarise yourself with the race’s compulsory kit list, and ensure you have everything!
- Train with all your gear beforehand to get comfortable with it.
- On race morning, double-check that you have all the gear required, and know exactly where to find it in your pack.
- Look after your body during the race – blisters, chafing, sunburn, hydration, heat and cold are examples of factors you’ll need to self-manage
The event will comply with the required Covid-19 protocols in place. Entries for each of the distances are still available at www.maxirace.co.za/