Disciplines
Road Running
Road running is a primary focus for many South African runners. The road running calendar is primarily focused around the Comrades Marathon, which has been moved to August in 2022. Some of our members will be training for this incredible event. Road running in the Cradle is wonderful because of the scenery. You can go as far as you would like to push yourself as the multiple routes could allow for anything up to to an ultra marathon distance. We have members that run different distances and paces each week. We predominantly start from Ground Cafe and sometimes choose different venues for a change. The undulation of the route means that it is not the easiest run you will have but the scenery makes up for it. As Origins, we promote self supported runs meaning that you will need to run with a hydration pack to carry your hydration and nutrition. It also allows you to safely store out rubbish until you can fins a dustbin. We have collaborated with Bloo Zone, a multi sport club also based in the Cradle and they sometimes have a gazebo on route that our members can make use of if they choose to. The Cradle is also a unique space in that it is a shared training area that is used by cyclists as well. Please read the safety guidelines on how to run in the Cradle. All runs are finished with a social coffee afterwards 🙂 Road runs for us primarily happen on a Saturday.Â
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Trail Running
Trail running provides a challenge for runners allowing them to test their ability in different environments, and over a variety of distances from 5km to ultra-distances of 100 miles and more. Trail running is essentially running on unpaved surfaces and in nature. This can be anything from a parkrun to a run on gravel or dirt roads, along jeep tracks or single track paths. We are fortunate in South Africa to have dedicated trail running and hiking facilities – over 100 in Gauteng and surrounds, which makes trail running a very accessible activity. Access to such a wide variety of venues also means a wide variety of environments; rivers, mountains, forests, deserts, beaches, cliffs, grassland veldt and others with opportunities to spot many varieties of game and birdlife. There is a very active and large trail running community is South Africa and they stage many events over the year.
Another difference with trail running is that the routes often involve very steep ascents and descents, and we love the challenge that this provides!
Because trail runs are on unpaved surfaces and because you are in nature away from the people and crowds you will require different gear to that used when road running. The most important items of equipment would be a pack in which to carry water and food, and a pair of trail shoes. Trail shoes are designed to be more robust than road running shoes and the sole is usually more rigid, and contain lugs that provide grip on softer surfaces. Never of course forgetting a good sun hat and sunscreen to protect you from the South African sun.
Origins has a few favourite venues and you will find us at places like Kingskloof, Cradle Moon, Klipriviersberg, B’Sorah trails, Kloofendal and Little Falls Nature Reserve. Or you can join us as we explore new venues and try out some of the amazing trail events hosted around the country. We usually do trail runs on Sunday’s