Smartlife

Just n Motion • Trail run by design

July 17, 2018
Just n Motion • Trail run by design
It’s not where you take the trail… It’s where the trail takes you.

Behind every Event there is a story, a motivation and a drive to get people involve in what became your passion.

My Trail Story

It all started about 18 months ago.

Trail running was never part of my training thoughts or plans, but how things have changed! A big shout out to my Wife, Lolla, for introducing me to the sport. Running trail has been a life changing experience and taken us both places in South Africa and the Free State that are scenic, beautiful and breathtaking.

Just n Motion • Trail run by design Justin Oelofsen Oldenburg Trail Challenge

The first trail run event I ever participated in was the grueling 4Peaks Mountain Challenge – thanks again to my wife. What a surprise entry!

The 4Peaks was and is an incredible event and I would strongly recommend running it – a MUST for any trail runner’s bucket list.

The inner strength and belief that you gain from enduring the elements and (sometimes) daunting challenges that the mountains throw at you, is both physically and mentally a major building block.

Take my word, you’ll definitely be a stronger person and tougher runner after the 4Peaks.

Just n Motion • Trail run by design Justin Oelofsen Oldenburg Trail Challenge

Trail run by design

After running the 4Peaks the trail bug REALLY bit!

One of my clients who trains with me at Just n Motion, Yolanda Beukman and her hubby Christo, owns the beautiful White Hills Guest Farm near Ladybrand in the Eastern Free State. She invited me and Lolla to run the trails on White Hills and the adjacent farm Oldenburg where I then met Uline and Hannes Smit who owns Oldenburg.

Boy, was I hooked!

Only an hour from Bloemfontein, the stunning series of mountain ranges between Modderpoort and Ladybrand have exceptional trail running routes.

Just n Motion • Trail run by design Justin Oelofsen Oldenburg Trail ChallengeJust n Motion • Trail run by design Justin Oelofsen Oldenburg Trail Challenge

Running in the White Hills and Oldenburg area has a mixture of grassland, sandy, muddy, rock shelf, technical descents and slopes as well as technical and self navigating climbs.

I enjoyed running the remarkable area so much, if I had discovered White Hills and Oldenburg before the 4Peaks, I definitely would have done most of my trail training here. It’s really is an awesome training platform for super tough Trail events.

So, after running the area extensively, the urge to arrange a trail event here was too good to resist. Luckily for me, both Yolanda and Uline got on board and hence the Oldenburg Trail Challenge was born.

Just n Motion • Trail run by design Justin Oelofsen Oldenburg Trail Challenge

The Oldenburg Trail Challenge

On the 1stof September 2018 myself and the lovely ladies of White Hills and Oldenburg are delighted to invite you and your family to the first ever Oldenburg Trail Challenge.

What to expect?
  1. Kick butt trail running – we have a 24km, 10km, 5km and a special 1km KIDDIES COLOUR RUN route you and the family can enter.
  2. Super FAMILY entertainment – we’ve got horse rides, jumping castles, yummy eats and snacks + child supervision while Mom and Dad enjoy their run.
  3. and DJ Magpie will supply the good vibes and cool tunes for the day

*That’s a 1-2-3 slam dunk if you ask me 😉

Just n Motion • Trail run by design Justin Oelofsen Oldenburg Trail Challenge

Distances and route scouting

When Lolla and I scouted the various routes, we wanted to find trails that would give all our runners the best possible experience that these beautiful mountains have to offer.

24km

The 24km trail challenge will provide you with running on various types of terrain, some technical climbing and descents that will certainly test those quad muscles! This route is beyond scenic and will really show off the Eastern Free State farmlands and mountain ranges.

10km

The 10km trail challenge is just as scenic and the ascent to the top will reward you with a breathtaking view of the Maluti Mountains and surroundings. The trail terrain varies almost after every km which makes this route an awesome run.

5km

Our 5km Route can be enjoyed by either runners or walkers with a very gentle gradient through the game park.

Waterpoints?

YES there will be waterpoints available on all our routes.

Just n Motion • Trail run by design Justin Oelofsen Oldenburg Trail Challenge Just n Motion • Trail run by design Justin Oelofsen Oldenburg Trail Challenge

Celebrate your run

Trail running is to be celebrated afterwards and what a better way to do this than by enjoying a craft beer with us and a bite to eat after your event –> complimentary for our 10km and 24km entrants.

Also DJ Magpie will keep you all well entertained 🙂

Giving back to the community

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by that we give • Winston Churchill

The main portion of our proceeds will be donated to Ad Laudem which is a special needs school in Bloemfontein.

We hope to raise enough money to give these children the tools they need to build their futures.

Just n Motion • Trail run by design Justin Oelofsen Oldenburg Trail Challenge

Our Sponsors

Of course without sponsors the planning of the Oldenburg Trail Challenge would not be possible.

A Big Shout Out and THANK YOU to:
  • MTN – our main sponsor
  • OVK
  • PVM
  • Wentzel Meyer Physiotherapy
  • OFS Smart Repair
  • Bezuidenhouts
  • MFi financial advisors
  • Imla Guest House
  • Solo Gracia Guest House
  • As well as all our cash donations from private sponsors.

Just n Motion • Trail run by design Justin Oelofsen Oldenburg Trail Challenge

The Oldenburg Team

A huge thank you to Uline and Hannes Smit and Yolanda and Christo Beukman for welcoming myself, Laurika, our friends and of course our Kelpies, to enjoy running on your farms.

It has truly been a life changing experience and a home away from home.

Well thats a wrap!

From all of us at the Oldenburg Trail Challenge hope to see you and your families on Saturday 1 September for our Family Trail Running Event.

*To ENTER the Oldenburg Trail Challenge online –> CLICK HERE

Cheers

 

*Written by our health and fitness guru Justin Oelofsen • Owner and exercise specialist at Just n Motion.

Justin Oelofsen

Credits:

You Might Also Like