The PUFFER
The PUFFER |
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The Hunter's Dry Peninsula Ultra Fun Run |
The list of this year's PUFFER crazy & weird competitors
has organized all the seconds for the Puffer. He did this uneviable job because he cant say no to Jean-Paul. This also explains why he seconded Jean-Pauls adventure race team for 4 days; Dougie, however, claims he did it because he was offered an all expense paid, long weekend at Knysnaand got to drive Dougie Heys Landy! Ask him about ithes that kind of guy.Dougie Rossouw
Caroline Brawner is a Yank who decided after 20 years of running that she had to run one marathon before she died. During that marathon, she met a South African. Now shes living here, loving the comraderie of the runners and all the beautiful places to run, and has been sucked into many marathons, a few ultras and a 280 km adventure race. She warns: be careful who you meet while running!
Ian Crooke likes to tell tall tales while leading CRAG runs (from the rear). If you find your mind wandering during the Puffer, ask him to tell you how, during Rhodes, he nearly froze his willy then just about turned it into broerworst as he tried to defrost it!
Dave Langhan "Barman" has decided never to do Comrades again as trail running is so much more challenging and enjoyablethen he immediately went out and ran the Washie! Still, hell have plenty of time to contemplate trail running as hes doing the Tuffer Puffer this year.
Dougie Hey "Dog" must be going through a late midlife crisis (at 54). How else do you explain why he started adventure racing (including the 280 km in Knysna) and is doing the Tuffer Puffer this year? He seems a bit confused about his own advice: do everything (and he means everything) as soon as possible in your life.
Jean-Paul Van Belle plans to run the Western States 100 next year. He thought he had to run a 100 mile race to qualify so he created the Tuffer Puffer. It turns out the regular Puffer would work as a qualifier but, of course, hes still going to run the Tuffer. For those of you who dont know, the Puffer is his baby as welljust wanted to let you know who to voice your opinions to when you finish the Puffer J
Allan Johns (Johnsie) runs because he can. And if you doubt that, consider that he has run 17 Comrades and 10x100 milers! He says, "If you are not talked about, you are nobody!!"
Doctor Tshisaka was late to last years Puffer due to transport problems so is taking no chances this year and has arranged to spend the night before the race in Fish Hoek. (Hope he realizes Fish Hoek has an athletic club with a drinking problem!)
Tony Will started running to get away from his wife but, since shes always ahead of him, he finds himself trying to catch her. After his successful finish of the Sky Run in 1998, hed rather not talk about bailing at the halfway point in 99 - his buddies wont even let him wear the T shirt!
Gary Meyer should get a prize for wheedling his way into the Puffer this year long after entries had closed. Go to Gary if you ever need to come up with a good reason for having procrastinated. His philosophy is: if you cant run, hide; and if you cant hide, smile and enjoy the ride!
Cedric Lamb doesnt believe in resting between races: hes run the Hewat 100 Miler and the Voet of Africa marathon (a week apart) for 3 consecutive years.
John Town runs to de-stress and to bring himself into contact with his spiritual self (hes a Eucharist Priest). He and his running partner, Cedric Lamb, often run with CRAGs.
Frans Weekers claims he runs to hear the latest of Ian Crookes jokes! But seriously, folks, he enjoys his running and is a proud finisher of the 99 Sky Run.
Jacques Smit is a convert so watch out! He quit smoking and started exercising; now he cant live without his workouts. Last year he seconded a friend doing the Puffer and caught the fever. There may be no hope for this man!
Mark Spengler runs for fun and to stay healthy. Hes apparently quite lucky as he says hes has had no bad running experiences.
Marc North has perhaps set a record for most number of pit stops in a 21 km race: 7! Still, he says to live every day as though it were your last.
Helen Davies runs in order to meet life in the face. By this, she apparently means the mud, rain, cold, vertical trails, heat and pain that so often accompany runners. But she also means the sunshine, endless vistas, forests, laughter and elation that keep runners coming back for more.
Mari Ballot wants to be the first female master to finish the Puffer. To mark this occasion, she has coerced, cajoled, or bribed nearly everyone she knows to be at the Waterfront when she comes in. If they fail to show up, she has Rent-a-Crowd lined up.
Deon du Plessis loves the mountains so much that he does every ultra he can: Amatola, Rhodes, Sky Run and, now, Puffer.
Charmaine de Koker isnt quite certain why she runs but she seems to be in a hurry (7:52 Comrades 2000) to find out. Her philosophy of "It is the mind that maketh wretched or happy" seems to work well for her.
Duncan Bulloch "Drunken Duncan" is proud of the fact that he stayed on his feet and avoided the Pub of Eternal Despair during Two Oceans. He once beat Bruce Fordyce at Comrades but modesty prevents him from discussing it.
Tony Haupt will only admit that his Comrades time was "slow" but, if he lacks enthusiasm, his wife makes up for it in her keenness to second him during Puffer.
Michael Mortley usually enjoys his running but has to admit there are limits. After leaving Cape Town on Friday evening, he ran a 24 km race in KZN on Saturday afternoon, then ran the Joburg marathon on Sunday morning. He says,"Never again!"
Lucille Damon ran Comrades 2000 in 8:11, which says a lot!
Andre Le Grange "Liquid" runs for the Three Rs: relaxation, release and rush. He learns early as hes one of only 4 runners in the Puffer who are aged 25 or younger.
Athol Surtees runs to fight fat and to get away from the kids but also for the tranquility and to get in touch with nature and himself.
Derrick Baard believes that if you dont go out and achieve your dreams, no one else is going to do it for you. He also believes running is the most natural thing to do after going to the toilet.
Bruce Bell is a firm believer in Bruce Fordyces "do not overtrain" theory which would explain his doing his tenth Two Oceans on 25 km per week. Since he likes to test himself, this seems a good strategy.
JT Basson is proud that he has finished all the races hes started. His philosophy is that hard work pays off in the future but laziness pays off now.
Don Hartley won Two Oceans twice but doesnt race much anymore, especially since racing has become so commercial. Hes been around long enough to know that more is definitely not better; over-enthusiasm must be coupled with the "wisdom" of experience. He claims there are not enough peaks in the Puffer - there should be at least 3!
Rod Prodgers made the progression from smoker to walker to runner to ultra runner. Who knows how much further hell go! Hes not kidding though; he reminds you that "life is not a rehearsal."
David Mills apparently doesnt want to know why he runs; if he ever learns, he believes hell have to stop. Maybe hell find the answer while running the Tuffer Puffer this year.
Patrick Hill "Strobe" runs because its good for both mind and body. He claims theres no problem in life so big that you cant run away from it.
Rob Simon runs for the high one gets. Originally from Zim, he says the Puffer is the best run hes ever done in Cape Town.
Dawie Zwiegelaar has always loved running but took it up formally shortly after getting married (???) He enjoyed his 97 Puffer experience so much that he wrote a two page report for his clubs newsletter.
Willem Spence wrote his responses in Afrikaans which I cant read. So you can imagine whatever you want about him.
Len Keating has been running and winning for many years but admits he never takes his own running adviceand has paid the penalty. He must be getting bored with doing the same old races because hes one of the extremists doing the Tuffer Puffer this year.
George Everson is going for his permanent Puffer number this year.
Nick Woodward runs to give himself something to do when there are no waves. His philosophy is to do more and regret less.
Barry Schwartz has done one Puffer and already feels its time to do the Tuffer Puffer.
Clinton Gahwiler is a sport psychologist who says you shouldnt believe any of that mind stuff; its all in the training. He bases this on his own careful under-training program.
Keith Searle runs in order to have an excuse to drink. This is his first Puffer and hes not so sure of the route so his plan is just to follow Jim Harwood.
Basil McLean runs because he loves to eat and his greatest running achievement is just to get out there and run. Hes a strong supporter of the eleventh commandment: Thou shalt have fun.
Ockie van Schalkwyk runs to stay healthy and believes in the philosophy of "no pain, no gain".
Craig Fussell loves to exercise but says his major running achievement is to get up at 5 AM to train. He learned this lesson the hard way: after slacking on the training for the 96 Comrades, he doesnt wish to repeat the "full body seizures" he experienced at the bottom of Polly Shorts.
Robbie Searle "The Doctor" who apparently has achieved his "ultimate goal of qualifying for the Puffer". Maybe he should have made his ultimate goal to "complete the Puffer"? Anyway, his personal goal is "never say never". Never???
Ernest Viviers and Richard van Wyk are Robbie Searles friends, also from Mossel Bay. They wrote their responses in Afrikaans (ok, so you cant get good help these daywhat kind of secretary do you expect for 1 box of Belgian chocolates?) so I can only assume they are terrific, interesting guys. At least I could read the part that says theyve both done the Karoo ultra, multiple Comrades and the Hewat 100.
Grant Cowen runs because he cant play golf. What keeps him going is his philosophy that for every uphill, theres a downhill.
Tony Boardman runs because its cheaper than playing golf and there are more pretty birds on a run than on a golf course.
Chris Goldschmidt believes that running gets you there faster than walking? He also believes that you cant do tomorrow what you didnt do today (with particular relevance to training).
Stefan Patten "Stef" is addicted to running, especially to the silvers he keeps winning.
Andrew Ing says running gives him an hour a day away from the telephone and helps get rid of the bullshit after a day in the office. He takes Churchills advice to "play for more than you can afford to losethat way you will learn the game a lot faster."
Luke Fulton "Dude" likes to run alone so he can think about life. Running helps him feel positive as it apparently increases the blood flow to his head.
Cornelia Rauch runs because she is a member of the CBH Club (Child Bearing Hips). She believes life is too short to stress.
Nic Louw runs in order to meet new people and to travel; it seems to work as hes run more than 10 international marathons. (Ask him about the Beijing marathon). He says you should think like a pessimist and work like an optimistyoull never be disappointed! Not surprisingly, hes doing the Tuffer Puffer.
Jasper Horrells Puffer race number is MMR, which stands for Mad Mountain Runner. Hes doing the Tuffer Puffer this year. Need I say more?
Paul Vorwerk runs to add to the richness of life. He must want to get very rich as he helped create the Puffer and will run the Tuffer Puffer this year.
Heather Graz is rather obsessed with running; she competed in the World Mountain Running trophy in Malaysia last year and hopes to go to the competition in Europe this year. Her philosophy is "mind over matter"; if you dont mind, it doesnt matter.
Michael Graz struggles to keep up with his wife, Heather, but says theres only one thing more painful than carrying ongiving up! His major running achievement is completing the Himalaya Stage Race in 1999.
Paul Selby has a thing for distance, having received gold medals for the past 7 years for the 1000 km Challenge. He also did the Double Comrades so it shouldnt be a surprise that hes doing the Tuffer Puffer. (Ask him what the difference is between Comrades and the Double Comradeswe cant print the answer!)
Jenny Selby says she runs because if she didnt, shed never get a chance to see her husband, Paul. That must explain the many Comrades shes done and the fact that she enjoys the challenges that life presents.
Andre Leuvennink and Alan Kay apparently dont like filling out questionnaires so they are mystery men to us.
Phil Struckmann has been described as part mountain goat and part fish. He lives in Hout Bay so he obviously can get the best of both land and sea.
Christo Steyn is an avid CRAG runner who has used much of his precious training time washing penguins who (I speak from experience) have little appreciation for his sacrifice.
Dan Whittemore is from New Hampshire and wants to add South Africa to his long list of countries where he has run ultras. He plans to run the Tuffer Puffer with friend David Mills. (I tell you: when South African runners talk to American runners, the poor Yanks just have no idea what they are in for!)
Michele Santichano is a nurse who likes to work the nightshift and then run a 100 miler straight afterwards. Hobby is fundraising for the Red Cross Hospital by climbing the worlds highest peaks.
Tony Abrahamson has been told by his wife he must settle down and take up golf, fly fishing, yachting or (aargghh!!) golf, so he turns to events like the puffer after exhausting 24 Oceans. A seasoned runners craft is a reflection of his approach to life. Be bold and courageous in goal setting, consistent in performance and realistic in expectations. Along with this enjoy fellowship, great times and life.
Toby Adams chases Paul Koning downhill, but watch the uphill. He has remained injury free, employed and Married during his 20 years of running. Says something -ed. He wants to see noisy (Doohan) road hogs fall on their bums as they force him to shout and swear on his quite weekend runs. Keep the race as simple as it is.
Bruce Arnett runs because it takes too long to walk. He has completed the Fourways High 4-km fun run. He has done the nocturnal journey of the Eco- challenge. He hates running when it is not out of choice and feels that the best two-word joke is Nkosazana Zuma. Yes he hails from Gauteng so why come to the Cape in winter?
Susan Brewin "Sue" enjoys her quality time with her oddball friends. This is her third PUFFER. She has also done a 100 km and Rhodes marathon. Sue asks what is a Yankee? Same as a quickie but you do it on your own.
Risef Coetzee used to run to a good braai and a bottle of red wine, but now runs for the solitude. He has fun on races and his greatest achievement is his consistency. This has been tested at the Voet (by 2 secs). The pearl is; You will never know what magic lies inside a person until you give them the opportunity to show you.
Brian Collins (boy from Benoni) runs to have an outlet for his obsessive personality as it allows him to act insanely but in a socially acceptable way. This insanity has pushed him through twelve 100 milers and some longer ones. He has bailed, but this reminds him of weaknesses and he does not want to admit to any weakness. "Running is about having fun and learning more about oneself"
Christelle De Jager "chris" feels her body moving through the morning stillness. Feels the salt wind in her face, smells the fynboss on the mountain breeze and wonders why anybody doesnt run! She still remembers her first half, and doesnt remember any bad experiences. Tough times dont last, tough people do. He who sits on the fence gets bitten by the dogs on both sides.
Roger Steel "Mountain Man" runs to eat as much as he can. He has finished the Sky run and has not been eaten by Leopards on the Hell Run, but has experienced a pitstop in the middle of Town. He wants to run up Lions head (how about ConstantiaBerg?) What is the difference between the way the English & Americans go down to their head of state? The English go down on one knee, the Americans down on two!
Jim Harwood is more of a pain if he doesnt run. He enjoys bonding with other runner ask Rob Tarr !!! He is a fellow of the Washie and has this pearl: In a rut with a relationship, business or whatever? Go and run Comrades and watch your life turn positive.
Ron Moody runs away from home but feels that "long may the puffer be run, so that others can go where we have gone, enjoy what we have enjoyed, see what we have seen, do what we have done, to run where we have run".
Cambell Parry "Brown Jersey" runs to get pissed cheaper wherever that may be and that has been at last years PUFFER, at the London Marathon a few times at villagers after Two Oceans and too many standard Marathons to remember. He would rather live for a day as a Lion than a thousand years as a sheep.
Malcolm Powell "Arbitrary" runs to feel good, the exhilaration of topping the hills and being at one with the trails and paths. This has taken him to the top of Mt Cameroon, minor peaks in the Himalayas, above 5000m but often in fancy dress, little dress but always with a pint in hand. He is the propieter of Ped the Pub but sadly had to watch the pub finish the 2 Oceans without him this year.
Ken Stuart chases down the beach in Blouberg most mornings, but has still seen the sun rise at the top of a mountain. He has cycled the Argus with two broken arms and eaten apples with worms in them. His motto is not to be too serious. Love God and serve people.
Gavin Snell "Speedy Snail" runs to meet fit healthy women for after action satisfaction! What he also enjoys is the after race piss up! He overcame adverse personal circumstances in 1989 to run a 6.38 comrades. He hates the fact that some runners neglect the environment. He takes the good with the bad and says that there is more to running than running. Please watch out for the tortoises in the dark of Cape Point Nature Reserve.
Johann Van Wyk runs for enjoyment. He has run comrades, puffer 100 miler etc and is a go and do it man.
John Michael Tawse "Primal Action" runs for Primal Restoration to tune into creation wants any other creation wilderness escape route with survivable alternatives. "But the word is very high unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest DO IT!" (Deuteronomy 30:14) He hates tarmac thumping mind gelling perversion like comrades something you do in a love hate ego trip.
Paul Koning admits to needing a psychiatrist. Says he: Life is like the PUFFER, there are ups and downs, (some very steep ones!) some flat sections, some good times (I dont know where) and then peace of mind at the end! : The Aussies have found another two uses for Sheep Wool and Mutton!
Bryan Pearson only feels alive when he runs, but he also feels that he is the luckiest damn bastard there is. He has danced with the fireflies at the top of Table Mountain after running up after Midnight. He has also run up Vlakkenberg and then watched the sun rise. When he runs he looks for the Buddha in every plant, in every footstep, in every stone, flower tree and person that he meets. " It is like loud laughter at the side of a lake"
Peter McNamara "Pete Mac" he is fast second last year at age 49, he has a 6:01 comrades and has done Ben Nevis in under 2 hours. He gives back as much as he takes and wants to see that the entries are limited to 300 and parts of the routes closed last year should be reopened.
Elna Mc Intosh "Dr Mac" A sex therapist who runs so as to enable her to legally pinch and touch mens bums!!! (Without their wives getting upset). She can follow a good pair of legs for miles she followed big Johns legs last year from the Nek to the Waterfront, but had to listen to his whole running career her worst experience.
Kim Wettegreen hasnt found the answer as to why she runs. Although she quotes Bruce Fordyce running is for people who dont know how to walk. She has completed 7 Comrades and still has lots to say.
Pieta Swanepoel is another serious contender for first. He runs rather than walks (especially in mountains and seeing that he has no car!) and gets his strength by trusting nobody and believing nothing.
J Barnard is from Bloem and has run the Bloem 64km.
Tinus Daneel has never been able to figure out why he runs. He runs to finish races, as he does hate to give up. He does ask for more of these races in SA as Comrades is too boring. His Life philosophy is: "anxiety is the state in which a being is aware of its possible non-being (P Tillich)"
Dave Foyn runs to stay fit. Last year he started in Feb with a marathon, then Oceans in April and Comrades in June and then PUFFER in Aug.
Clive Griffiths "Clivey" gets together with nature and the elements. He was the youngest to complete 20 Oceans. He still remembers how long he was held up at paradise motors in 1986. He says that to be good at anything start slowly and finish strongly.
Francois Loedolff finds running an easy way of exercising. He has a joke for us: "There are only 4 hills on the puffer!" He does say that the puffer is a lifetime experience and that participants should treasure its memories.
Hans Siemelink runs to look at barely dressed women, do some heavy breathing, pick up a sweat and get away with it. His best achievement is that he is still injury free (touch wood). Sometimes he wakes up grumpy other times he lets her sleep. Enjoy a balanced l
Daan Kotze Runs because he is scared to grow old. He has run Comrades, Rhodes and PUFFER. He says: As jy glo, vat n kans, want hy wat nie glo nie sal nie wen nie. He wants a turnoff marked on Redhill.
Bruce McIntyre "Mr Soutie Sir" runs to ensure that there is at least one soutie running in Bloem. He ran his first Comrades in 95 and he believes in doing things today as tomorrow could be too late.
Rob Laing runs to balance the other excesses in life such as food, alcohol and work. He has fond memories of his first Comrades, but not the missed sub 3 hr in the Cape Town 95. His pearl: Eat, sleep and Procreate. What does an accountant use for contraception? His personality.
Dave Mackinnon Runs for fun, fitness and friends. He has done the puffer and Comrades and tells this joke: What do you call an Irishman in the bush? Russell!!
Craig Mc Carthy the fourth run he is entering has his friends wondering why! Careful here, he has caught a lift before in a club run to get to the front of the pack! (No taxis on this route). He issues this word of caution to the first trail runners: once you have done it, the trail running bug will bite you and you will look for more challenges.
Winston Wilson runs to feel as free as a bird, however he only discovered this at 50 years old. He has been making up for lost time with four Oceans in a row dont ask about the fifth. Live and let live, enjoy life to the full.
Herculas Oosthuizen is an engine driver and a strenuous and stressful one, so after a 14-hour shift he goes out and sweats because the more he sweats the more he relaxes. He has sweated through races such as the sky run and he says; No one is ever beaten unless he gives up the fight. He is young at heart but slightly older in places!!
Ian Solomon "Sankie" won the Under 9 75m sprint and came 2nd in 1998' s three peaks and how did he do it "No one can fart for you!"
Boet Van Zyl "Guru" enjoys doing his own thing over many miles like Washie, 20 Oceans, 10 Comrades and 10 Permanent numbers. The secret to this is the 4 Bs Besenol, beers, Boerwors and Bullsh.t!
Arvind Varsani "Jiff" is still trying to chat up someone on a run and that is why he runs. Ask him to whom he was chatting up at the Transnet . Remember anything can be preserved in alcohol, dignity is not one of them. Stuff dignity and drink!!!
Rod Warner runs to get stress relief, to reflect and to obtain something spiritual. He has looked in 14 Comrades but found only exhaustion in Knysna. He says Never give up. Never give in. Never, Never, Never give an inch!
Mark Preen does it for freedom, thoughts, for a challenge, for relaxation and for enjoyment. Has a gold in the Ultraman and has won the PUFFER and Knysna races. He enjoys Puufer as it is the route that you will find him training with his two taskmasters - his Pointers. He feels that the FM mast on Constantiaberg should be included as a checkpoint and the race kept small. Please no prize money!! Remember it takes over 30 muscles to frown but only two to smile.
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