KZN#17.indd

Local artist eases Sharks
Trail Adventurers into
December holiday mode
Durban – Homegrown musical
talent Cheryl Engel is relishing
being a part of the vibrant
atmosphere of the festive
season kick-starting STIHL
Sharks Trail Adventure at Summerveld
Estate in Shongweni on Sunday 4 December.
The big crowd of athletes
and their families expected for
the fifth edition of the popular
mountain biking and trail running
event this December are in
for both a sporting and lifestyle
treat as magnificent trails and
scenery are complimented by
Engel’s live music, a not-to-bemissed
Christmas market and
spectacular country setting.
“I haven’t actually been
up to the Sharks Trail Adventure
before but it sounds like an
amazing event and I’m really
looking forward to being there
this year,” says Engel.
“I have two kids and I love
being a mom so me being a
family based person then filters
into my music, something that
hopefully resonates with the
family atmosphere of the event.
“A lot of my friends are
mountain bikers and I’m sure
many of them will in fact be
there on the day while I’m actually
a bit of a runner myself.
“Who knows, maybe I’ll
even be able to take part in one
of the day’s trail runs before
performing on stage a little
later,” the folk/rock singer cum
social athlete adds enthusiastically.
Born and raised in Glenwood,
the 34 year-old singer/
songwriter started singing and
performing at a very young age
old but only pursued a career
as an artist four years ago when
she formed the duo Connecting
Stars in 2012.
After releasing their song
‘Stuck’ into USA, the track
achieved the rare feat of charting
on the US Billboard AC
chart, peaking at number 28,
paving the way for two tours of
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Kzn Lifestyle Magazine • Issue 17
the United States and culminating
in Engel winning the Songwriter
of the Year Award at the
Texas Sounds International
Country Music Awards.
At the start of 2016 Engel
opted to pursue a solo career, a
decision that has already seen
her perform numerous local
gigs and enjoy resounding success
in a short space of time.
“I taught music for a while
but I always had this burning
passion to be on stage, something
I finally decided to do
once I turned 30.
“Since going solo at the start
of the year, doors have just been
swinging open for me all over
the place and I’ve been so busy
with gigs and performances,
which really has been fantastic.”
Drawing on her life experiences
to craft poetry that forms
the lyrical basis of her heartfelt
songs, the born and bred Durban
artist is eager to contribute
to the Shark Trail Adventure’s
distinctive ambiance that
has become so popular amongst
friends and families looking to
enjoy the event’s diverse programme
as well as spend some
quality early festive season time
together.
While the event’s 40km,
20km, 10km and 2km Kiddies
Ride mountain bike and 18km
and 9km trail running races
offer something for all off-road
endurance adventure seekers,
the race village’s picturesque
location and laid-back atmosphere
is set to captivate supporters,
spectators and market
Local singer/songwriter
Cheryl Engel is looking forward
to helping create part
of the unique STIHL Sharks
Trail Adventure atmosphere
when this year's edition of
the event takes place on
Sunday 4 December at Summerveld
Estate, Shongweni.
Supplied/
Gameplan Media
browsers alike.
An exclusive Sunday staging
of the renowned Shongweni
Farmers Market in the shade
of Summerveld Estate’s ageold
plane trees is set to offer
attendees the chance to explore
local crafters’ wealth of homemade
Christmas wares and delicious
artisan food and beverages,
all the while taking in
Engel’s easy-listening, memorable
tunes.
The 2016 STIHL Sharks
Trail Adventure takes place at
Summverld Estate in Shongweni
on Sunday 4 December.
Entries can be submitted
online via www.roag.co.za and
more information can be found
at www.sharkstrailadventure.
co.za.