Napier Patatfees
Drop what you’re doing like it’s a hot potato and journey to this region of glorious mountain ranges for some outdoor racing and fun festivities
Napier used to be known as the sweet potato-growing capital of South Africa, and the village clearly remains faithful to its roots, honouring the patat with a festival in its name. Head out of town to this charming little nook in the Overberg province to the Agulhas School of Skills on Friday, 16 June (which is a public holiday due to it being Youth Day) for the Napier Patatfees. Spend the weekend at this fiesta of food, fun and physically challenging activities that continues until Sunday, 18 June.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE 2017 NAPIER PATATFEES
The festival’s main attractions include a gruelling half marathon (or 10-km and 4-km runs), mountain bike races and a trail run. The ever-popular mountain biking race gives you a choice to take part in either 55-km, 45-km, 30-km or a 15-km ride, so you can go for whichever level of challenge best suits you.
For the mountain goats at heart and lovers of nature’s paths, there are races of three different distances to choose between: the 7-km, 15-km, and 25-km. The 7-km has the most age categories, with one for ‘Nippers’ (Under 10s), ‘Sprogs’ (11-12 years), Sub-Juniors (13-14 years), and the Open category for 15 years and above. This is a fun installment in the trail running section and medals can be won (no prize money, however). Both the more serious 15-km and whopping 25-km trail events are open to anyone above 16 years of age, although these are also split into age groups, from Junior to Masters. If you’re over 60 years old, there’s a category for you, too.
The road running section is refreshingly inclusive; along with the half marathon, 10-km and 4-km Fun Run, there will be the 800m disabled track race as well as the 1.2-km disabled wheelchair race happening. And finally, just to prove this is a weekend where the whole family is welcome, there’s also going to be the adorable-sounding 25m nappy dash!
There will definitely be various hills to toil over for some of these races and the MTB and Trail Run routes will no doubt have various terrains that might be tough to navigate through. However, there’s nothing like the pride of knowing you overcame a big difficulty and got fit doing it. Apart from that, the stunning mountainside scenery and fynbos you’ll be riding through is sure to make all the sweating and aching worth it.
If you’re not up to getting sweaty on the weekend, there’s still tonnes of things to do with your friends and loved ones without getting burning muscles. Petrolheads will enjoy the vintage car display and Harley Davidson motorcycle show, whilst children will be provided with all sorts of fun activities, including pony rides. Other activities and experiences on offer around the small town, all of which embody the culture of Napier, include: sokkie dancing (a very fun and uniquely South African form of dance which is done with a partner), live music performances, street parade, go-kart racing, an art exhibition, and stalls at the Village Market (held in town) - phew!
Tastings of local beers and wines as well as delicious cuisine will also be available. Napier prides itself on its fabulous locally produced pork sausages and goat’s cheese as well as its soet patat and you will get a chance to taste them all. All in all this festival will do a great job at showcasing Napier as the talented, multifaceted town it is.
The mix of modern and past-century buildings and houses give Napier a characterful beauty. As well as wonderful architecture, surrounding farmland adds to this town’s attractiveness. It’s rural living with some of the excitement and busyness of more urban towns - did we mention how much popularity it has gained with locals and visitors recently? There are going to be tons of accommodation options including camping for those of adventurous spirit.
ENTRY INFORMATION FOR THE 2017 NAPIER PATATFEES MTB CHALLENGE, HALF MARATHON AND TRAIL RUN
If you’re planning on taking part in a race, you can enter online at entrytime.com or enter.entryninja.com (if you visit the official PatatFees websites at napierpatatmtb.co.za or napierpatatfees.co.za and go to the page of your preferred event, you will find an ‘Enter Here’ button which will also take you to EntryNinja’s site). Make sure you’re totally prepared to do your race, because there are unfortunately no refunds for already-paid entries.
Agulhas Skills School will be the venue to go for all the races, as well as for registration. The races you can enter do depend on your age if you are under 19 years old and many require you to be at least 15 years of age. However, youngsters will be happy to know that the 7-km Trail Run as well as the 15-km Mountain Bike Trail Race are especially welcoming to all of those under the age of 16.
Mountain Bike Race - Saturday, 17 June
Distance |
Start time |
Cost |
55-km |
8am |
R240 |
30-km |
8:05am |
R220 |
30-km |
8:10am |
R200 |
15-km |
9am |
R130 |
Road Run Race - Saturday, 17 June
Distance |
Start time |
Cost |
21.1-km Half Marathon |
8:30am |
R130 + R35 Temporary License |
10-km |
8:30am |
R80 + R35 Temporary License |
4-km |
8:45am |
R30 |
1.2-km Disabled Wheelchair Race |
8:50am |
FREE |
800-m Disabled Track Race |
8:50am |
FREE |
25-m Nappy Dash |
12pm |
FREE |
Trail Run Race - Sunday, 18 June
Distance |
Start time |
Cost |
25-km |
8:30am |
R350 |
15-km |
8:45am |
R250 |
7-km |
9am |
R150 |
There will be prize money for winners in the longer mountain bike and road running races, whilst there will be medals to be won in all other events.
TICKETS FOR THE 2017 NAPIER PATATFEES IN THE OVERBERG
Entry into the Festival is a mere R10p/p to pay at the gates on the day! However, race entries are priced separately.
If you’re in need of any further information, do feel free to contact the organisers by sending an email to info@smfbreda.co.za, or giving them a ring on +27 (0)72 071 3092.
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