This week we’re heading to the lovely Syringa Park/Avianto, a very pretty venue in Muldersdrift bosting trail options of 2,5km, 5km, 8km and 10km
Date: Saturday 15th August
Time: 08h00
Location: Syringa Park
Meeting point: parking area at Syringa park – PLEASE DO NOT PARK BY THE TRAIL ENTRANCE AS THERE IS AN EVENT TAKING PLACE AT THE SHED AND THE SMALLER CAR PARK BY THE TRAIL ENTRANCE HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE FOR THAT – BUT RATHER MAKE USE OF THE MAIN PARKING AREA (ACROSS THE BRIDGE), OR NEARBY THE PADEL COURTS.
Route and venue info:
We will have the choice of the 2,5km or 5km routes (if you feeling up to it you can do the longer routes) these are all marked routes.
Gentle and beginner-friendly, winding along the riverfront through indigenous vegetation. It features occasional small elevation changes to keep the walk or run engaging.
Weather forecast (Saturday morning):
Cold and clear early on, warming up by late morning. Zero chance of rain.
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 please send your run times to us afterwards or tag the ‘Canicross South Africa’ Strava club.
Really looking forward to seeing you all!
LLLLEEEETTTTTSSSSSS GGGGOOOooooooooooo…