About a week ago, I participated in the Darom Adom run as part of the Darom Adom (“Red South”) Festival, which starts at the Marva campsite (near Kibbutz Alumim), and then had a picnic in the Shokeda forest, among the anemone blossoms. I thought it would be interesting to write down some comments for those who are interested in visiting the place, running in the race next year, and generally enjoying this wonderful festival.
Our story begins on Friday morning, when we woke up very early, packed our running shoes, coffee, and some carb-based foods to restore our calories, and went for a run in the “anemone run”, as part of the Darom Adom Festival. The run was extremely short – only 5 km (the longer races were canceled due to the weather – and after that, we went on a picnic in the Shokeda Forest Reserve, so if you are interested in it just skip to the next paragraph.
The Anemone Run
According to the plan of the race, there were to be four marked tracks –
- 2 km route – a popular and easy route, passing through a flat area. Shaded for the most part.
- 5 km route – easy difficulty level, mostly flat with few slopes.
- 10 km and 15 km routes – medium difficulty with a few slopes, partially shaded.
Due to the weather in the days before the race (you can see in the photos the insane amounts of mud), the two longer routes were canceled. So the route was short, but even a short run between lush fields, woods, and carpets of blooming anemones is a pleasant experience.
At the start and endpoint of the race, there was a photo wall and podium, bouncy music, and some nice stands (face makeup, juices, and the likes of that). And something else which was nice – unlike other races – in the anemone run you can also run with dogs (with a leash and a mouth barrier according to the law).
On the other hand, anyone who has had some experience in such runs knows the level of organization required. And even though overall the race was properly organized (according to the conditions on the ground) I think there is some room for improvement. The kit the runners received included energy bars, a bandana, a nylon jacket, a bottle opener, and a heat-retaining bag – I think it’s a bit disappointing compared to other races where it is customary to give a branded shirt and more luxurious treats.
But we are not material people at all, and the experience can be summed up as something I would love to repeat next year. The run itself was done between the flowering fields on a 2.5 km long track, back and forth. Great air, great scenery, and a totally great experience.
Darom Adom Festival
The “Darom Adom” festival is an event held annually during the anemone flowering months in northern Negev, from mid-January to the end of February. The idea for the festival was born in 2007, as many residents of the area realized that many hikers come to the northern Negev to see the anemone bloom, but they do so in a disorganized manner and do not know the recommended places to hike or the other attractions the area has to offer.
This is a festival based mostly on rural tourism developing in the area. It creates connections between agriculture and tourism and offers visitors a hike in nature, agricultural tours, farmers’ markets, and rural accommodation. Festival participants can walk around the area, see performances and participate in activities for the whole family. The regional tourism association “Shikma Besor” is the association responsible for the festival and is active in all seasons.
The common anemone blooms mainly during the months of December to March, and the lifespan of a single anemone is several weeks. The flower is very common throughout the country and can be found in a variety of colors like pink, white, purple, and blue. The most common of all is of course the red color, which gives the “South Red” festival its name.
The places where there are many anemone blooms are: sage well, Dvira forest, Shokeda forest (near Shokeda), Beery forest, Reim forest, in the badlands of Ruhama, Pura reserve, and more. During the flowering period, large carpets of common anemones can be seen in these places, spreading over the entire area.
Family Friday in Shokeda Forest
So after the race, we drove to Shokeda Forest. Among the huge eucalyptus trees that make up the forest, you could see endless fields of anemones, and lots of red beauty. The only problem is that the place was PACKED with people (and rightly so, who doesn’t want to go and see this beauty on a Friday).
During the festival, a huge complex of activities is set up: creative workshops of local businesses and artists, a circus performance, a street theater, a guided bicycle route for families around the forest, music, sports complexes (like volleyball, Pilates, etc.) and of course lots of food stalls.
After standing in a traffic jam for about half an hour and finding a parking space – we spread out the blanket, took out the cooler, and made hot coffee. The picnic itself among the endless red carpets was wonderful, although it is recommended to arrive in the middle of the week or early hours to avoid the rush. Also, pay attention to the weather. When we were there was quite a bit of mud in the place, so it is advisable to come dressed accordingly.
To see the full schedule of the various events and activities, it is recommended to go to the official website of Sdot Shikma Bashor, the local municipality that organizes the event.
Getting to Shokeda Forest
Coming from Road 25, at the Zimrat junction turn south to the access road to Moshav Shokeda (2422). Continue for about 4 km and turn right onto the Shokeda Forest Road according to the signs (the road is suitable for any vehicle). After 1.5 km you reach the picnic campsite.
In Waze: Shokeda Forest.