Celebrating strength, teamwork, and achievement on the Cape St Francis coastline

Three Robberg Fine Foods employees made Women’s Day weekend one to remember at the 9th Annual Chokka Trail Run, delivering outstanding performances in the 23km race. Leading the charge was Samantha Kruger (pictured above), who claimed first place in the women’s division (she was placed 7^th overall, ahead of 75 men) with a time of 1:50:24 —her second win in this event.

The Chokka Trail Run, held annually around Women’s Day, offers runners a choice of 10km, 23km, 42km, and 62km distances, with each year’s route run in a different direction. This year’s 23km course began at Cape St Francis Resort, following a stunning coastal path past Shark Point, through the port area, over the local airstrip, into a nature reserve, along the wild side coast to the Seal Point Lighthouse, and finally back along the beach to the resort.

“I love that it’s coastal and in a small town. Cape St Francis feels like my home away from home — we love going there for weekends away,” said Sam.

This year’s victory was especially sweet for Sam. In 2023, she also took first place in the same race just six months postpartum, with her son Cody on the podium. After missing last year’s event due to torn ankle ligaments, she returned stronger, beating her previous time by a full minute and placing 7th overall among all male and female competitors.

But the Robberg Fine Foods team spirit didn’t stop there with Gillian Webster (Samantha’s mother) crossing the line in 2hrs 18min, securing 13th place in the women’s division. And Sam’s co-worker and friend Lucy Du Plessis finished in 2hrs 22min, placing 16th out of 90 women.

“It’s a faster-paced run compared to my usual elevated races,” Samantha explained. “With only 160 metres of elevation, it’s very different from technical runs like the Otter Trail or Houtkap, which can have up to 2,000 metres of climbing.”

With another win secured, Samantha has her sights set on further improvement in 2026, and the Robberg Fine Foods running trio has once again shown that team spirit extends far beyond the workplace — and that Women’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate the strength and achievements of women.

Gillian (left) finished 13th and Lucy (right) took the 16th spot