There are some events you support because they’re good for business. And then there are events you support because they stand for the same things you believe in.
The Aonijie Cederberg Stage Run falls firmly into the second category.
At Love Our Trails, we’ve spent years investing our time, energy and hearts into the Cederberg. It’s a place that has given so much to us, and we’ve always believed it’s our responsibility to give something back.
From our annual Keeping it Wild weekends to the volunteer initiatives we’ve hosted over the years, the Cederberg has become one of the places we care deeply about. Earlier this year, more than 170 volunteers joined us, Sustainable Ceder and CapeNature to audit and repair over 200 kilometres of hiking trails following the devastating fires. Some of those very same trails will now be experienced by runners taking part in the Aonijie Cederberg Stage Run.
We’ve also had the privilege of helping drive the Langkloof Tented Camp initiative, working with the local community to create sustainable tourism opportunities and help put this incredible, often-forgotten corner of the Cederberg on the map.
So when an event comes along that isn’t simply about selling race entries, but is genuinely committed to giving back to the place where it takes place, we want to be involved.
One of the things we admire most is the heart behind the event. Rodney and the team haven’t created another trail race just to fill a calendar. Rodney is regularly out in the mountains volunteering, improving trails and doing his bit for the environment. That matters to us.
The race also supports two organisations we work closely with: Sustainable Ceder and The Cape Leopard Trust.
The race itself looks pretty special too. Over three days, runners will experience some of the Cederberg’s most iconic landscapes, from dramatic sandstone peaks to crystal-clear mountain pools and the spectacular Kromrivier Valley. It promises to be an epic weekend.
Love Our Trails will be there over the weekend helping marshal, cheering runners on and catching up with friends from the trail community. We’d love to see some familiar faces out there too.
There are still a few entries available, so if this sounds like your kind of adventure, we’d encourage you to take a look.
Find out more and enter here: https://thecederbergstagerun.co.za
We’ll see you in the Cederberg.
