Tsiba Education New Balance Trail Run Series–Merendal Wine Estate 20 Oct 2012

This past Saturday, the monthly Tsiba Eden Trail event was held at the Merendal Wine Estate.
As usual, the Tsiba events were very enjoyable – ideal for anyone wishing to see what trail running is all about – offering gentle 6 & 12km route options running amongst the vineyards.
I needed to put in some extra mileage before this Saturday’s Buffet Olives trail run, so I had a warm-up jog over the nearby Vissershok hill:

After some very stormy weather the night before, more than a few runners were glad to see the sun and blue skies:

.. some pics from the run:


Thinking of taking up trail running? The Tsiba events are an excellent place to start. Walkers are welcome too!
Events are usually posted here.

Gun Run 14 Oct 2012

The Gun Run has become one of those iconic races in the Western Cape – often the event most people will choose as their first dip into road racing events.
Way back in 1998 I took part in the relay event (which has been discontinued) at the request of some friends. I ran the last leg, allowing me to experience the finish atmosphere, and back then, the very cool medal collection. The running bug bit, and the following year’s Gun Run was my first half marathon, and personal best time – which still stands.
This year I entered the Gun Run for the 6th time, after a 6 year hiatus. Many things had changed, but what remained is the awesome atmosphere and sense of expectance on the start-line.
I don’t make a trip into town very often – and the subtle changes to Cape Town and it’s surrounds was very pleasing to see – nice new stadium surrounded by a serene golf course ; upgraded promenade utilities etc.

I knew there were going to be a lot of people, so I arrived about an hour before the start – which is essential if you plan to get any decent parking. I opted to park on beach road about half way between the start at the stadium, and the finish about 4km up the road from the stadium on beach road. I think a lot of people who parked at the V&A weren’t expecting to walk so far from the finish to their car.
For those who are not familiar with the history of the Gun Run, in the “old days” the start time was 9am, and the cut-off was noon – and Cape Town this is when the noon gun fires from the top of signal hill.
These days the start is much earlier – most likely to avoid the heat for the thousands of participants, but the Gun Run wouldn’t be Gun Run without some sort of Gun, would it? Enter the start gun:

Trust me when I say that you don’t want to be within 10 meters of this thing when it goes off. It’s the kind of bang that makes your kidneys rattle.
The start get quite busy from early on: forward to the start line:

….behind – lots more runners.

The start of the route follows a nice and flat route around the promenade on beach road

.. before turning back past the stadium:

at about the 12km mark there’s a rather nasty hill that continues for a few km’s.

.. from there it’s quite a nice scenic downhill, and flat to the finish – one of the best final few km’s of any half marathons around

.. for those interested in the route profile:

See you in 2013 - Happy Running

2012 New Balance Tsiba Eden Trail Series: Thelema Wine Farm 12km 29 Sep

The Tsiba Eden trail runs have become somewhat of a regular item on the Western Cape Trail Running Calendar. My first Tsiba event served as a very pleasant introduction to trail running. The atmosphere on these runs is extremely informal, with everyone from the elite runner looking for some speed training to the novice walker looking for some time in nature taking part.
If you’re thinking of taking up trail running – these are definitely the events you want to be targeting.
The wife and I were lucky enough to get a baby sitter for 3 runners-in-training, so this event served as her first taste of what it’s like on the trail. Needless to say I think she’ll be back for more.
Finally she got to see what all the fuss is about
The route split also turned out to be perfect for us (choose from 6 or 12 km route). I finished the 12 just as the mrs and mom-in-law were finishing the 6.
Before I move on to the good stuff – a word of warning: You’re probably going to want to invest in some decent trail shoes for these runs. Wine farms + rain = slippery clay roads.

15 km Botmaskop Traverse–Mountain Warrior Challenge 01 Sep 2012

Wow – what a trail! This has probably been my favourite (and most challenging) trail runs of the year so far (you’ll see why when you scroll down to the pics).
The Botmaskop Traverse forms part of the Mountain Warrior Challenge Festival held out in the mountains of Stellenbosch / Simonsberg. Take note: MOUNTAIN WARRIOR! – this course – even the “measly” 15km is a quad-buster of note! (as I’m writing this, I’m not a 100% certain I can get up from my chair without some sort of assistance).
To give you some idea: on the road I could probably cover the distance in about 1:20 – my finishing time was around 3:10.
I’ll admit the morning of the race, my expectations weren’t very high. The directions lead me the wrong way (thankfully I had GPS with me as a backup), the start was delayed by an hour, and there were only about 30 participants – how good could this race be with such little support? Well now I’m thinking either people were too ‘poep bang’ to take on the mountains, or this is one of the best kept secrets on the western cape trail circuit.
The parking was at the Rustenburg Wine Estate, which forms part of the Idas Valley area just outside Stellenbosch:

From there we were taken by bus to the starting point at the base of the mountain on Jonkershoek road.

The first few kms was a steep climb on a combination of single track and jeep track, and offered a small taste of the magnificent scenery that was on offer



The route seems to be popular for the mountain bikers

A small glimpse of what was to come about 1 km from the top

One at the top, the terrain get decidedly more tricky

some more great views

it’s at this point you can see why they call it a “traverse”

There’s pretty much no trail up here – you have to rely on a combination of piled rocks, white & orange poles, and spray painted rocks to lead the way – well done to the organisers – every time I went off path (and you will get off path) – there were markers to get me back on track.

This trail probably has some of the steepest descents you’ll encounter anywhere, sometimes requiring the obligatory “bum-slide” to get you down. Keep in mind I’m pointing the camera directly down on these shots:

The “cliff face” descent climb is followed by some pretty steep single track. My quads were busted by this time – I actually had to rest every now and then going down hill!
Eventually the single track opens up to a very pleasant last 3rd of the race on open jeep track and gentle descents

Boy was I glad to see the finish line!

If you’re thinking about doing this race – don’t think – do! Make sure you’re prepared tho – I now understand why the organisers at the start kept repeating: “just keep your sense of humour”
All-in-all a wonderful day spent in the splendour of God’s artistry.
There were just too many great shots to include in-line – check out the album for more trail evidence:

Botmaskop Traverse VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

2012 Bormaskop Traverse Mountain Warrior

“The Sovereign Lord gives me strength. He makes me sure-footed as a deer and keeps me safe on the mountains. “ – Habakkuk 3:19 (Good News)