THE ROUTES

View 21km route | View 10km route | View 5km route

21.1km Race – LETS GET MOOO...VING

The ½ Marathon will be run on the traditional route. For those who are first timers, the route takes you through the village along the main street and out on a slight but long incline towards the farmlands. The first farm is Waylands where you follow a worn tractor track through a wild field, past the old cellar and between the historical homesteads. Watch out for the geese! Waylands have lovely accommodation in the newer farm house – it’s only 100 years old – where family heirlooms sit cheek by jowl with modern amenities, and caters for both self-catering as well as Bed & Breakfast. There is nothing quite like the peace of a farm after a hard weeks work. Oubaas Farmer John is not only our official race starter with his antique replica gun, but is a great story teller of the old days if you get him in the right mood. After all his family have been here for over 200 years.- But we digress so back to the route.

In high spirits before the start

The rough track forks left which takes you easily past ancient thatched labourers’ cottages before crossing over the Malmesbury Road and along the perimeter of grazing fields. It is an easy run so you will have time to admire the sheep and if you are lucky the Ngunis. Michael’s sheep have won some top awards - sort of the equivalent of a sheep Miss Universe (no sheep and Sheila jokes please). The Nguni cows are quite spectacular each with their unique speckles and spackles and Rorschach patterns. This part of the run is probably the most difficult from a mental perspective as it is relatively flat and quiet. You will cross over a railway line onto a ploughed field. At the top corner you will turn left then immediate right onto the driveway of the farm Rooihoogte.

Here you can see where the farm name originates. The soil is a deep rich red. Wave to farmer Russouw and his son who so kindly allow us to run through their property. The son’s wife, Cecile, makes the most delicious melktert under her own label Rooidak Plaas Kombuis. Her melktert secret is that it is her puma se ouma’s recipe and she uses her ouma’s oven. The closest you will get to that secret recipe will be the taste.

Beautiful sunrise included free of charge
(Photo courtesy of Louis van Ryneveldt)

Then the gravel road reverts to tar and you run through old Darling North into Evita Bezuidenhout Boulevard and over the railway line again. You now go past Evita se Perron. Although not in on the 21st she will be back the next day and is offering an early bird discount for participating athletes and their supporters only. If you book and pay you will get R20 off the price of the normal ticket so that you will only pay R130. (Normally R150) To take advantage of this special phone Beryl on 022 4923930 and use the code "get moving".

We then run back through the village and back up the hill and back to the school with a lap around the field to the finish. The first 10 men and 10 women will receive gold medals. The next 80 will receive silver medals. The rest of the finishers will all receive bronze medals.

After all that hard work and our eagerly awaited prize giving where we have fantastic lucky draw prizes. Remember to redeem your wine voucher (adults only) for your free bottle of Cloof Darling Daisy or Rosy Darling wine provided you eat at a participating Darling licensed restaurant and spend a minimum of R80 per voucher. (Don’t forget to have a designated driver) And the Jam on top is that Vyge Valley will give free a jar of Apricot Jam for every R30 spent.

(Click to view 21km Route Map)

Darling Vleismark 10km race
"May the Wors be with you"

We are having a 10Km race this year with an entirely new route and a new sponsor, the Kriel family from Darling Meat Market.

The planned route, like the closely guarded Darling Vleismark Boerewors recipe, is in the secret places of Darling, where the farmers are rumoured to be wild and woolly, and fiercely protective over their privacy and Sauvignon Blanc vineyards. (Some of South Africa’s best Sauvignon Blanc’s are grown here). This route is predominately on farm tracks, about 98% gravel and very hilly, so get ready for a tough run.

Although, not a route for the faint hearted, the payoff makes it worthwhile. When you get to the top of Lanner Hill (will be marked for your convenience) take time to enjoy the scenery. Behind you are the breathtaking views of Dassen Island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean so close you can almost touch it; in front is the village of Darling and the Swartland wheat fields that stretch all the way to the hazy silhouette of the Witzenberg Mountains. Catch your breath and consciously listen to the birdsong, the noise surf of village life and the happy buzzing of bees .. you will be glad you did.

The race starts at 08h45 at the Darling Laerskool in Kalkoentjie St.

(Click to view 10km Route Map)

5km Fun Run/Walk

For those of you that are coming for the 5km Fun Run/Walk, you may shake your head in disbelief. Are those LAPD Policemen? Well they are not genuine Los Angeles Policemen but they are the genuine LAPD motorbikes imported all the way from the US of America.

The Pound hires them out for film sets, but also for special occasions like weddings or a matric dance. So if you have a special occasion coming up and would like to impress, be sure to give The Pound a call on 074 891 3924/082 556 8911.

Fun walk

The 5km route takes you through our village and can be taken at a slow pace which is perfect for pushing junior in the pram or for accompanying your children - the Perfect Family Outing. At the end be sure to get your finishing badge kindly sponsored by our very own Darling Spar.

There are lots of lucky draw prizes. For the kids there is a lucky draw of a bicycle kindly sponsored by Brigs Barn. Pop into Brigs Barn and say hi to Margie and her happy team. (You’ll also find her prices friendly.)

(Click to view 5km Route Map)