Park Running With The Wildlife
New Park Run in KZN opens on 9 December by Bruce Fordyce
Image Supplied by Brahman Hills
The latest route to join South Africa’s popular collection of Park Runs boasts the unusual attraction of zebra, red hartebeest, black wildebeest, blesbok, eland, waterbuck, duiker, oribi and impala roaming on the pathways.
The Brahman Hills Game Park Run officially joins the Park Run series with a 5km path across softly rolling hills in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Park Runners to meet at 7h30 on Saturday mornings in the parking lot of The Midlands Kitchen, to start run at 8am.
The Brahman Hills is a 4-star hotel in the Blue Crane Nature Reserve, where elegant Brahman cattle also roam among the wildlife. It’s just off the N3 motorway, although the beautiful views and sheer tranquillity let you completely forget the highway - until you crest a hill and see the road heading back to reality down below.
The Park Run is the hotel’s latest attraction, with the trail leading past its dams and luxurious self-catering cottages then up into the hills.
“Having the wildlife here makes it unique because you’re running through a game reserve with wild animals,” says Wayne Chislett, General Manager of Facilities for the Brahman Hills hotel.
Runners of a nervous disposition will be pleased to know there are no predators!
The route has been cleared and levelled to make the going easier, with markers put in place to clearly define the way.
“The route is rated as moderate on the Park Run scale and goes along a contoured path around the lodges, taking in the dams and gorgeous scenery,” says Chislett. “It’s mostly on grass with a part on tarred road, and we have put in support beams to create a level path that’s gently contoured and has signage so you can follow it easily.”
The Brahman Hills Game Park Run is the ninth Park Run to operate in the KZN inland region, and Chislett anticipates that it will become very popular once news of it spreads.
“We are anticipating participation of about 150 to 300 runners on a Saturday morning. Park running has really taken off in South Africa and this Park Run should appeal to runners from Durban as well as weekend guests from Johannesburg and Pretoria”.
The trail starts and ends near the hotel so runners can enjoy a breakfast in the Brahman Hills restaurant - Brahman Cafe or at The Midlands Kitchen. Earlier this year The Midlands Kitchen opened a collection of 15 different eateries, offering quick but delicious meals to passing motorists and visitors touring the Midlands Meander. Choices include a juice bar, coffee station, breakfast bar, and a harvest table of freshly picked fruit and vegetables, plus more substantial offerings like Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine.
Hotel guests can also enjoy several other walking trails around the reserve, including a more extreme 10km hike through grass, bushveld, riverine and forest. Maps and route markers have been installed and shelters will be put up in case the weather suddenly changes, since brief storms often flash spectacularly across the Drakensberg.
Image Supplied by Brahman Hills
The Park Run organisation oversees free, weekly 5km runs around the world that are open to everyone and easy to take part in. All you need to do is register at www.parkrun.co.za and turn up on the day.
About Brahman Hills:
Situated in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Brahman Hills is a destination of choice for weddings, conferences and idyllic country escapes. Brahman Hills offers both hotel and self-catering accommodation, while its extensive facilities include a restaurant, coffee bar, underground bar and restaurant 89 on Copper, as well as a variety of eventing venues seating from 10 to 400 people. Nestled amongst rolling hills, yet just a stone’s throw from the N3 Highway, Brahman Hills is easily accessible and central to the famous Midlands Meander.
