Paddling, trail running and mountain biking enthusiasts will be thrilled to know that a new multi-sport event will be added to the programme of sporting events during this year’s Slow Festival (25-27 March), namely the X Lakes Summer and X Lakes Terra Firma.

Although not a new event to the area, the X-Lakes Summer was set up as a 100 kilometer plus mountain biking and paddling relay event that incorporated many of the tracks, trails and water bodies within the greater Knysna area. “There will now be a new addition to the event, the X-Lakes Terra Firma, which will offer the option to substitute the paddle sections for trail running legs” said event organizer Juan Botes. “By this we are hoping to attract all local multi-sporting enthusiasts, paddlers, mountain bikers and trail runners, as well as have out of towners participating.”

The event will be organised under the Trisport banner (Juan – Race Director is now part of the Trisport team). The race this year will start in Knysna and will traverse lakes and mountains, route via Wilderness and finish in Sedgefield to form part of the Slow Festival Sporting events.

Many of the previous transitions points (Hoogekraal, Island lake, Swartvlei etc.) will be visited again with the Terra Firma option that will go on a slightly different route to bypass the water (as much as the organisers can!) but also to finish at the same venue as the paddlers. “The route will be released closer to the time as land permissions are currently being obtained” said Botes.

So if this exciting new sporting event appeals to the adventurous side of you, diarise Sunday 27th March 2016 and check out www.trisport.co.za as online entries will open on the 1st of March 2016.