- Kei Mouth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Running On The Wild Coast Is No Walk In The Park
It takes a while for the little villages dotted along the Wild Coast to catch up, but when they do, they do it in style!
South Africa’s first park run kicked off in 2011 with just 29 participants, and it wasn’t until 2016 that Kei Mouth jumped on the proverbial band wagon and started running, jogging, walking, or strolling their way around the 5k course which remains the only park run event operating on the Wild Coast.
A ParkRun Full of Hills, Bunkers, Waves, and More Hills
Starting at the Kei Mouth Country Club, the park run winds up past the 10th tee and then trickles down the side of the course, hugging the edge of the coastal forest and giving participants sweeping views of the dramatic coastline. The downward slope provides a gentle introduction to the run and the neatly kept and well-maintained fairways offer the perfect surface for a comfortable run.
Intermittent hills warm up those leg muscles and raise the heart rate just enough to get the blood pumping. At the bottom of the golf course, runners pop out onto the gravel road that runs parallel to the seafront as it weaves its way up to the Cape Morgan Lighthouse. As runners skip around puddles and pick their way through the larger stones and potholes, the slight incline gives them a welcome challenge.
Close to what is fondly known as Wacky Point, the runners make an abrupt U-turn and head back down the gravel road, past Whispering Waves holiday resort, before crossing the tar road and returning to the golf course.
Heartbreak Hill Makes Tough Demands
This last kilometer or so of the park run is by far the most challenging and is not-so-fondly known as Heartbreak Hill, although speaking from experience, it’s as leg-burning as it is heartbreaking. Whatever the weather, it never feels like there’s a breath of wind to help you on your way as you battle up the steep hill, past the committed golfers who’ve taken the opportunity of an early morning to perfect their swing.
Approximately three-quarters of the way up the hill is an encouraging sign informing runners that they’ve made it 4.5km and urging them to keep pushing — the end is in sight. At the top of the hill, an encouraging volunteer cheers the runners on, giving them enough motivation to make it around the country club and, finally, to the finish line where the run director, timekeeper and other volunteers celebrate each achievement as if it were their own.
Running Adds New Dimension to Local Tourism
Compared to the largest park run event in South Africa, Kei Mouth is tiny, but that doesn’t stop it from attracting between 40 to 50 participants every week. Not only that, but people travel to the village specially to participate in the weekly event.
The week I attended, we had people from neighboring Sunrise-on-Sea as well as a couple from Pretoria taking on the challenge. While it may not be Kei Mouth’s biggest drawcard, given the popularity of the local fishing scene and the golf course itself, it’s still adding a welcome boost to the village’s tourism scene.
Another Step Towards a Brighter Future
On 13th April, the Kei Mouth park run will be celebrating its sixth year — a milestone that provides us with the perfect opportunity to thank the volunteers that keep the event alive week after week, regardless of weather.
Not only that, but the village community also supports a group of young runners from Cwili village, raising funds to provide them with transport to and from the run, a meal after they’ve completed the 5 km, and shoes to make them even faster — and believe me, these kids are tough to beat!
Counting Down to the Finish Line
The week I joined the park run, I came 10th with a time of 35.12 minutes, trailing behind the first finisher by nearly 13 minutes! While impressive, Libango Nkelejane’s winning time of 22.39 minutes was still won’t threaten the course record which stands at just over 19 minutes — a time few could even imagine achieving on such a challenging route.
In addition to the actual participants, this event relies on volunteers to act as run directors, time keepers, and fulfill the duties of scanning barcodes on the finish line and ensuring everyone completes the course safely. It’s only with the involvement of these dedicated individuals that Kei Mouth has managed to pull off a total of 244 events and 11,764 finishes.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a serious runner looking to test yourself against Heartbreak Hill or simply someone who enjoys a gentle Saturday morning stroll with breathtaking coastal views, isn’t it time you put the Kei Mouth park run into your diary? The warm community spirit, the encouraging volunteers, and the satisfaction of crossing that finish line make it worth setting your alarm for an early weekend wake-up call.
So, if you were looking for an excuse to visit the Wild Coast for the weekend, why not dust the cobwebs off your running shoes and join the growing family of park runners? You may not break any records, but you’ll certainly break into a smile as you become part of this wonderful village tradition that’s putting Kei Mouth on the map for more than just its fishing and golf.
Thanks to the volunteers for their time, photos and unwavering dedication.
Isn't it time you conquered Heartbreak Hill?
Book your accommodation below and make a weekend of it!
Comments