Scottburgh’s Crocworld Adventure & Conservation Centre welcomed some of KZN’s best runners on Saturday, 25 July, hosting the Ugu Cross Country Championships. The event showcased the exceptional athletic talent while highlighting Crocworld’s growing status as one of the KZN South Coast’s premier outdoor adventure destinations.
“It was a great day, and it was a joy to see both local and visiting athletes enjoying our venue and facilities,” said Jason Scott of Badger’s Cycling and Sports Centre (CSC), the team responsible for developing the trail network. “The feedback on the course and all the new developments has been overwhelmingly positive. We’re only just getting started, and it’s exciting to see the community embracing these trails exactly as we envisioned.”
Winners from the Ugu Cross Country Championships
The championships featured races from U8 competitors through to Masters athletes, with clubs from across KwaZulu-Natal delivering impressive performances across a range of distances.
Distance Category Winner Club Winning Time
1km Boys U8 Melokuhle Lembede Umkomaas Athletic Club 4:56
1km Girls U8 Sandy Chuma Umkomaas Athletic Club 5:04
2km Boys 9 & 10 Mbalehmle Malunga Dumisa Development 10:38
2km Girls 9 & 10 Sisanda Shozi Harding Athletic Club 11:04
3km Boys 11 & 12 Asembekele Khomo — 12:15
3km Girls 11–13 Akhona Maphumulo — 13:02
4km Boys 13–15 Nkanyiso Vundla Umkomaas Athletic Club 15:20
4km Girls 14 & 15 Okuhle Ngwane Harding Athletic Club 17:08
4km Open Men Lindokuhle Chuluza Ethekwini Athletic Club 13:30
4km Open Women Minenhle Shozi Harding Athletic Club 17:16
4km Youth Women Asenathi Jali Harding Athletic Club 16:00
4km Masters Women Thokomele Dlamini Hollywood Athletic Club 21:33
6km Youth Men Luluhle Madikizela Harding Athletic Club 22:35
6km Junior Women Palisaheank Khwani Umkomaas Athletic Club 34:10
6km Grand Masters Men Jacob Ndwalane Hollywood Athletic Club 34:15
8km Junior Men Siyabonga Hlope Harding Athletic Club 29:20
8km Masters Men David Lamont Yellowwood Park Athletic Club 34:31
10km Open Men Lindokuhle Chuluza Ethekwini Athletic Club 35:56
2km Senior Women Minenhle Shozi Harding Athletic Club 8:23
2km Senior Men Sabelo Hjunguza Umzumbe Development 6:48
Trails Built for Competitors and Community
While the championships showcased elite competition, Crocworld’s growing trail network has been developed with the broader community in mind. The newly developed course joins existing routes ranging from easy walking trails to longer mountain biking and trail running circuits through indigenous coastal forest and scenic viewpoints.
Visitors can also try the monthly Sunday Lunch Buffet at Fish Eagle Café based at Crocworld. This delicious lunch is hosted on the last Sunday of the month, and is a great excuse for a family outing in a stunning coastal setting. Please note that a booking and deposit are required by Thursday to secure a table. Fish Eagle Café has also launched a delicious Saturday Brunch Buffet for those wanting a delicious start to the weekend! Contact ndlamini@cbl.co.za | Call 039 815 0169 for more information. Crocworld also forms part of the 1,300-hectare Renishaw Coastal Precinct (RCP), which consists of lifestyle developments, Renishaw Hills and the newly launched Restilridge Farm Estate. Further plans for the precinct include a private school, hospital, recreational facilities, shopping centre, hotel, and light industrial zone with 80% of the land preserved as conservation space.