Seychelles Nature Trail competition |22 February 2023
The press conference in full swing (Photo: Louis Toussaint)
Seychelles’ first international nature trail challenge set for May 13
After being postponed in 2020 due to the health restrictions amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the first Seychelles Nature Trail competition will definitely take place this year, with Saturday May 13 being the chosen date for the event which will gather both local and foreign competitors.
Other than being a trail competition, the event is also an opportunity for the foreign competitors, along with their families and friends to disconnect from the modern world, connect with nature and experience an unforgettable moment in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, which is Seychelles.
The event, which will cover a total distance of 22km on the heights of Mahe, is jointly being hosted by the tourism department, the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA), along with various associates and sponsors.
Preparations, including all logistics and safety aspects, for the first Seychelles Nature Trail competition are progressing smoothly, with the tourism department and partners ensuring that the event, aimed at boosting sustainable tourism, is up to acceptable and required standards.
The first ever trail competition to take place in the country is also in line with the department’s mandate to increase the destination’s visibility.
It is also to propel Seychelles’ engagement towards green tourism, enticing visitors to explore the destination’s lush biodiversity and reaches out to sports enthusiasts through the portrayal of Seychelles as a versatile destination and an ideal sports venue.
The competition, which is expected to start at 7am, will consist of a 22km run or hike and will start at the Port Glaud playing field, before leading runners and hikers round Anse Major, through the well-known hiking routes including the Mare Aux Cochons, Casse Dent and Sans Souci area finishing at the Grand Anse playing field.
To give the latest updates on the preparations and progress, the tourism department, along with the NSC and SPGA hosted a press conference yesterday at the Botanical House, in the presence of some of the partners and sponsors.
Other than principal secretary for tourism Sherin Francis, and director general for destination marketing within the department of tourism Bernadette Willemin, the press conference was also attended by the director of the community, leisure and sports for all unit within the NSC Francis Remie and Geraldine Joubert of the SPGA.
For the event, only 100 spots have been reserves for local competitors who will have to pay a registration fee of R300, while 300 spots are open for foreigners who will have to pay a €30 registration fee. Out of the 100 places reserved for local competitors, some will go to regular competitors of the Praslin and La Digue challenges.
The organisers are urging local competitors to join the event, not only for health benefit, but also to measure their strength against international runners.
The competitors will compete in the open male and female categories.
Medals and trophies among other prizes will be awarded to the first three finishers in the male and female categories while all other competitors will be awarded with a medal of participation, along with kits and souvenirs of the event which is set to become an annual event.
Roland Duval
