[Hi there, here is a report out of my eyes on the run. Whilst I have tried to keep as close to the true passing of events some may have perceived them to be quite different. This is because of runners licence which allows runners to imagine horrors and experiences far removed from the actual events and to relate them to their friends and families as the truth, some expecting another beer, adulation or love. This is often not the case as they are more often than not regarded as a little strange if not very strange. There are some personal stories which I cannot relate such as wives leaving husbands (horrible) on the trail and others using devious means to bale. This then is the adventure, which to really appreciate, you have to be a little strange and you have to do it.]
On the 12th and 13th we had the 4th running of this extreme endurance event. Of the 35 entrants only 24 made the start at 06:00 on day one. The weather was hot and humid with rain threatening. As the day progressed the heat and humidity increased as the rain clouds dissipated and the sun baked down.
Typical extreme frontier weather. John Michael signalled the now traditional start by a blast on his ram's horn. Whilst the runners set off into the forest at Maden Dam the helpers collected tents and tog bags and set off in convoy for Cata, the half way and overnight stop.
Front running was done by Jean Paul van Belle who lost his timing chip, next was John Michael Tawse and Daan Kotze, reaching Gwili Gwili after 15.3 kilometers in 1 hour 55 minutes, followed by Craig Dalldorf 20 minutes later. The back markers passed through this check point in 4 hours and 10 minutes. Leading the ladies was Jenny Trow and Linda Wolhuter in 2 hours 34 minutes!
Dontsa (aptly named, "the hard pull") brought early lunch time for Jean Paul (still without his timing chip) and then Craig as he covered the next 19.6 kilometers in 2 hours 51 minutes giving him a total time of 5 hours and 7 minutes for the progressive distance of 34.9 kilometers. John Michael and Daan followed some 3 and 10 minutes behind. Linda and Jenny were closely followed by Christine Harris at Dontsa, all passing through in about 5 hours 50 minutes. This was the time of drama, Christine's husband, Peter, began to feel the effects of the heat and had to return to Dontsa from about 4 kilometers along the trail to be collected by a rescue vehicle. Good Samaritan Stuart Ferrer looked after Peter at Dontsa until help arrived. A call from Sweepers Colleen Durant and Patrick Elson indicated that the back markers were very slow and that they would not be at Dontsa before 15:00. Ultimately they arrived at 16:10 and the race organiser decided that they should withdraw as the trail to Cata, 19 kilometers away is the most difficult section of the day. At the present pace they would be lucky to reach Cata before 22:00. This would present unacceptable risks. This resulted in six runners being taken by vehicle from Dontsa. En route to Cata by road we were informed that another runner had gone as far as he could and needed rescue in the Cata Forest. We found HP Oosthuizen asleep next to the trail about 8 kilometers from Cata. Whilst all this was going on Jean Paul arrived at Cata after 53,9 kilometers in 9 hours and 26 minutes followed by Craig and John Michael in 9 hours 52 minutes. The ladies, Jenny and Linda, arrived in 10 hours and 15 minutes with Christine (delayed by Peter) in 11 hours and 27 minutes. The last in, a big group fetched by Patrick and Colleen, arrived after 13 hours and 9 minutes. Of the 24 starters, 17 completed the trail.
At Cata runners were treated to soup and rolls followed by chicken a la king, tea and coffee. There were beers available but most runners were more interested in food, a hot shower and sleep.
At 05:00 on 13th, 20 runners presented themselves at the start. That is, the 2 sweepers(Colleen and Patrick), Stuart and the 17 finishers from the previous day. After a quick briefing they were off up Geju Peak to the blast of John Michael's ram's horn. Once again the pack up and trek to the finish at Hobbiton. There is a cut off on the second day, all runners must reach the check point on the forestry road before negotiating the Hog by 14:00. Anyone reaching here after the cut off is obliged to take the escape road for safety reasons. Day 2 is more picturesque but there substantially more climbing and difficult terrain.
On this day front running was done by Craig from start to finish, reaching Mnyameni (13.5 kilometers) in 2 hours and 28 minutes, John Michael, Linda, Jenny, Jean Paul, Grant Cowen and Christine all followed in 2 hours and 42 minutes. The rest came through in about 3 hours and 30 minutes. Zinguka comes up after another 18.2 kilometers (progressive 31.7 kilometers). This section goes through hot and dry valleys and the runners are exposed to the sun for long stretches. Water is plentiful but not at frequent intervals making it necessary to carry a little heavier. This is also the second day of punishment and the effort required to move forward is increased.
Craig arrived at Zinguka a full hour ahead of the second bunch. His time was 5 hours and 32 minutes. The second bunch remained the same as at Mnyameni but changes were about to take place. The tail enders arrived at Zinguka looked after by Colleen and Patrick in 8 hours and 38 minutes. The cut off point, manned by Peter Samuel, changed the direction of the race for 7 of the runners as they took the escape road, Colleen and Patrick continued half way up the Hog and short cut along a forestry road to pick up the last runners so as to complete the sweeper function. The climb up the Hog separated the men (boys) from the (tuff) ladies in the second bunch and the ladies, Linda, Jenny and Christine, pulled away from John Michael and Grant. This is a torturous climb which lasted for just over an hour for Craig and longer for those who moved slower. From the finish the helpers using binoculars could watch the runners progressing along the base of the cliffs on the Hog. Peter had warned us that Craig was going like the clappers and we waited for him to arrive at Hobbiton which he did in 8 hours and 28 minutes, giving him a total of 18 hours and 20 minutes for the 102.6 kilometers. Surprise, surprise, the ladies arrived together in second place for the day in 10 hours and 8 minutes but John Michael snuck in ahead of them on combined time. Congratulations to Craig, John Michael, Linda and Jenny on their placings and to all those who persevered and finished.
Congratulations to those who completed 3 trails and received their permanent numbers. Christine Harris, John Michael Tawse, Grant Cowen, Jean Paul van Belle, Daniel Kotze, Trevor Goddard and Ian Ross.
Of the 17 official starters on day 2, 11 completed the full route and 6 took the escape road. A great time was had by each and every runner and Chel, Peter, Marric, Margaret, Greg and I enjoyed organising the event for such a good bunch. To Patrick and Colleen a big thank you for a hard but very important function - sweeping. Till next year!
Finishers.
Craig Dalldorf
John-Michael Tawse
Linda Wolhuter
Jenny Trow
Jean Paul van Belle
Grant Cowen
Christine Harris
Michael Henning
Mark Berry
Trevor Goddard
Ian Ross
Nicol Jordaan
Daniel Kotze
Wayne Botha
Aletta Ungerer
Raymond van Tonder
Matthew Gibb
Colleen Durant
Patrick Elson