The Kway Maxirace Cape Winelands, part of the International trail running race brand, MaXi-World, is running for the 3rd year in a row from the 1st to the 3rd of October 2021 and now includes a shorter 13km route to cater for all levels of trail running.
“More than just a trail race, the Kway Maxirace Cape Winelands, takes you on a journey, an adventure of self-discovery amongst exquisite and unique landscapes,” says race director, Ockie van Zyl. “Not only do we have something for everyone from the 13km Maxi Dash to the hardcore 120km Maxi Ultra, the race also plays a big role in benefitting the local communities that it traverses through!”
Initially launched in Annecy, France in 2011, MaXi-Race quickly became successful due to the amazing trails with incredible views around the exquisite Annecy Lake. It has now become a race of mythical status that welcomes more than 9000 runners each year during the last Week-End of May. This success convinced the organizers to create MaXi-World which is a call to travel and explore. MaXi-World now boasts 6 races in 6 venues renowned for trail running: France, Sicily, Ecuador, China, Madeira and of course South Africa.
Kway Maxirace Cape Winelands is a festival of trail running that will take place in the iconic Cape Winelands area between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch on the 1 – 3 October 2021. A central belief at Kway Maxirace Cape Winelands is to give back to the local communities they take part in. “Our core values are to be a sustainable race which involves and contributes to the local communities and the environment,” explains van Zyl. “To do this we have partnered with the charity Edunova, an educational charity who aim to make a big difference in local previously disadvantaged schools in years to come, as well as employing all of our race marshals from the local Kylemore community near Stellenbosch.”
When the race was first brought to South Africa in 2018, Kway Maxirace Cape Winelands, along with MaXi-World, forged the partnership with Edunova, to ensure that the event would have a positive impact on the local community. John Thöle, CEO of Edunova, says, “Sustainable change is our focus and this innovative partnership has allowed the poorest of the poor communities along this route to participate and benefit in this unique annual international event.”
Through their partnership with Edunova, Kway Maxirace Cape Winelands will play a key role in improving schools within the local townships around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek in the future, as well as creating sustainable employment for those living there. They also work in close collaboration with the Franschhoek Wine Valley Conservancy, the Banhoek Conservancy, and also the Stellenbosch Trail Fund.
Regardless of your level or your goals, Kway Maxirace Cape Winelands really does have something for everyone. From the Maxi Ultra 120km, Maxi Race 75km, Maxi Marathon 45km, Maxi Short 20km and finally the Maxi Dash 13km, you can choose the right race which will push you to develop your mountain skills.
