If you’re up for a challenge, this week’s goal is to pick up the pace a little! We’ve chosen the nice, fast, fairly flat route at Kyalami Equestrian Show Grounds, making it the perfect place to step on the accelerator a bit.
If you’re aiming to accept this challenge and push it a little, make sure both you and your dog are properly warmed up before you start, or build your pace gradually. Don’t forget your dog’s pre and post run massages, and some good stretching for yourself too.
Remember, faster doesn’t mean beyond your limits. Find a comfortable slightly faster rhythm but one that is still comfortable for both of you.
Lastly, watch your posture with a faster more exciting run as this can cause overstriding. Avoid overstriding by increasing your cadence with quicker arm swings, keep your body upright, and ensure that your footfall lands beneath your hips with each stride.
Lets see those PB’s!! 🙂
Kyalami Park Club show grounds is a fun double lap route.
📅 Date: Sunday 2nd Aug
⏰ Time: 08h00
📍 Location: Kyalami Park Club, 1 Dahlia Rd, Witpoort, Midrand
📌 Meeting point: In the car park outside the Main Club House and TLC Restaurant. I will be at the main gate granting access to the show grounds.
🗺 Route and venue info:
The route is a double lap of the show grounds.
We will start close to the main entrance gate and follow the Canicross markers in a clockwise direction around the outskirts of the show grounds and arenas. As you return to the main gate, you’ll be directed out onto the dirt entrance road where you’ll continue all the way down to the T junction before turning around and heading back to the entrance gate for your second lap.
Those doing the 2.5 km route will simply complete one lap.
The show grounds should be fairly quiet over the weekend, but if you do encounter a horse and rider, please give them a nice wide berth as horses can sometimes be a little spooky around unfamiliar dogs.
After the run you’re welcome to join us for a well deserved coffee or breakfast at the TLC Restaurant ☕🐕
🌦 Weather forecast (Saturday morning):
The morning in Kyalami will start cold and clear with a low near 4°C, warming up to a sunny 16°C by 11:00 AM. No rain is expected. A warm jacket for before and after the run is definitely recommended.
📊 Attendance
Please click on the link below and RSVP through the website if you’ll be attending this run. Pre-registration is required. ⬇️
⚠️ Important reminders
• Runs are postponed if temperatures exceed 25°C or if there is lightning nearby
• Please arrive slightly early; we run together as a group and share key info before departure
• Reactive dogs (yellow collars) go ahead, please give them a wide berth
• When overtaking, call out “passing left” or “passing right” clearly
• Reinforce the “on by” cue and praise your dog
• Allow dogs to settle before the start
• Redirect fixation calmly; avoid dragging your dog backwards on the leash
• Dogs must not interact in Canicross mode; keep two leash lengths between teams
• Water bowls will be available at the finish; bring a fold-up bowl if needed mid-run
• I will have first aid, extra water & sunscreen and will stay at the back
• Please advise me of any medical updates, injuries, or if your bitch could be in heat
• Ensure vaccinations and tick prevention are up to date 🕷️
• Warm up properly, start slow, and cool down well
• No food and limit water 1 hour before running; offer small amounts post-run
• Bring poop bags and clean up after your dog
💡 Top tip:
Arrive with your dog in a normal walking collar or harness. Change into Canicross gear at the venue and remove it after the run. This helps signal working mode versus social mode.
🐾 Canicross guidance
In any Canicross activity, your dog should be running happily ahead of you. If your dog falls behind and you end up pulling them along, it’s instant disqualification. You’re a binomial team, you need to move together at the pace of the slowest teammate. If your dog lags, stop immediately and check why. If it’s unusual, or you notice tiredness, injury, or illness, get your dog checked by a vet before Canicrossing again. If it’s a fitness gap, slow down and build your dog’s fitness up more gradually.
And to address the more common issue in this regard, to our enthusiastic four-legged teammates: we ask that you please follow this rule closely too. Listen for the “steady” cue or your human’s cues, and be gentle with your human. You will need to gradually increase your human’s fitness levels over time.
🐾 Social run reminder
This is a social run, not a race. Enjoy the pack, practice skills, and condition your dog in a relaxed, supportive space. Go at your own pace.
We do track team PBs and times, so after the run please send your 2.5 km or 5 km time or tag the Canicross South Africa club on STRAVA so we can update the log ⏱️
LLLLEEEETTTTTSSSSSS GGGGOOOooooooooooo… 🐕🦺🏃♀️