18/08/2026
Pineapple Express Ultra Trail Run: Chasing the Tide Along the Wild Coast - A KhakiBush Magazine feature.
Some runs are about the time on the watch. Others are about the distance. And then there are runs where you find yourself looking around, smiling, and thinking, this is pretty bloody special.
The Pineapple Express Ultra Trail Run is definitely one of those.
I arrived at Trafalgar Beach early on Saturday morning to take on the 21km route, and before we'd even started, I knew we were in for something special. The sun was just coming up over the Indian Ocean, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold, with the waves rolling in below. It was quite possibly one of the best starts to a run I've ever had.
I had originally entered the 30km, keen to take on the full Pineapple Express challenge. A little ni**le meant I eventually changed my entry to the 21km, and having now done it, I can safely say there were definitely no free miles.
The 21km was tough.
But it was the kind of tough that you actually enjoy.
This isn't your typical trail run through a forest or up a mountain. The Pineapple Express takes you along some of the most spectacular coastline in South Africa, with long stretches of beach, rocky sections, coastal vegetation and river crossings thrown into the mix.
And the beach running is deceptive.
It looks easy. It isn't.
Running on sand is a completely different challenge, and there were plenty of sections where the legs were working hard. But every time things got tough, there was another view that made you forget about the effort.
The route really does feel like an adventure rather than simply a race.
There were several river crossings along the way, and these added another element of fun to an already unique course. Just when you thought you'd settled into a rhythm, the terrain would change again.
And then there was the coastline.
Absolutely spectacular.
Running with the ocean beside you, scrambling across rocky sections with the waves crashing below, and then finding yourself back on a long stretch of open beach makes for a pretty unforgettable morning.
The organisers also deserve huge credit for the way the event was run.
I had to make a late change to my entry from the 30km to the 21km and the team couldn't have been more accommodating.
Because I wasn't able to get to registration on the Friday, my race pack was still sitting at the 30km start. That could easily have become a problem on race morning, but Damian and his team sorted it out and somehow managed to get my race number to one of the water points.
I grabbed my number during the run and carried on.
That's the sort of thing you remember.
The water points themselves were another highlight. They were well positioned, well manned and had a great atmosphere, with plenty of encouragement and everything runners needed to keep moving.
And as we approached the finish, the river crossings provided one last reminder that this wasn't just another 21km race. The NSRI was on hand to assist competitors across the river safely, which was a fantastic example of the level of planning and safety that goes into an event like this.
But perhaps what I enjoyed most was the people.
There were seriously impressive athletes out there, but there was also a fantastic mix of runners and adventurers of all ages and abilities. Some were chasing podiums, some were chasing personal goals, and others were simply there to experience the coastline.
There were also a couple of unexpected boosts along the way.
Seeing a familiar face cheering from the water points on two separate occasions definitely put a smile on my face and gave me a little extra motivation when the legs were starting to feel it. Those small moments of support can make a surprisingly big difference.
Nobody seemed to be in too much of a hurry to enjoy it.
And that's what makes the Pineapple Express such a cool event.
Yes, it's timed. Yes, there are competitive runners. Yes, the 21km and 30km routes will test you.
But ultimately, you're there to experience something.
You're there to chase the tide.
You're there to run along one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the country.
You're there to cross rivers, climb over rocks, get sand in places you didn't know sand could get to, and finish the morning with a massive smile on your face.
And Damian and his team have created an event that captures exactly that spirit.
From the organisation and safety to the water points, the atmosphere and the incredible goodie bag, which is genuinely one of the best I've received at a running event, the whole experience was exceptionally well put together.
The Pineapple Express isn't trying to be just another trail race.
It's an adventure.
It's a day out on the Wild Coast.
It's a reminder of just how incredibly lucky we are to have places like this on our doorstep.
For me, the decision to drop from the 30km to the 21km turned out to be the right one, but it has definitely left me wanting to come back and tackle the full distance.
Next time, I'll be chasing the 30km.
And if you've never done the Pineapple Express, I'd highly recommend putting it on your calendar.
Just don't expect any free miles.
Written and images by Stuart Sinclair
