Liberty Health Baviaanskloof Trail Run
The run, which ended with finishers comparing it to trench warfare, started with two Verreaux's Eagles (Black Eagles) circling the cliff face above the Start line. 86 runners gathered in a World Heritage Site wilderness area that is otherwise closed to the public, for pre-race briefing. A reminder of the strict no-litter policy, to the extent that there are no cups at the feeding station and every participant has to carry their own personal unbreakable cup, and the race started in ideal conditions. The Verreaux's, and the Cape buffalo sighted on the route only hours earlier, were a foretaste of the wilderness experience awaiting the keyed up group.
After a relatively flat 8km loop, that had a cumulative climb of nearly 200m, Baviaans novice Kobus Joubert led from Hylton Dunn, Christo Muller, Mike Els and Andre Willemse. SanMari Woithe, the 2009 winner, led the ladies.
The runners left the safety of the Geelhoutbos bowl and started up a double track that very quickly had most reduced to an eye popping walk. The climb, that took them over a high point at 1122m, was seemingly never ending, leaving calves and thighs aching and ankles and knees twisted as the terrain was rough, rugged and unstable.
An effort filled 27km from the Start, and a total cumulative climb of over 1200m, the sanctity of the check point and feeding station on the plateau was reached. This haven provided not only water and a vast array of sustenance, but also an opportunity to rest for a few minutes and mentally regroup.
SanMari Woithe had held her lead in the ladies section, while with the guys up front it was a battle royal as the climb and technical nature of the trail had softened quadriceps and fatigue was closing in - and the much vaunted scree section lay in wait.
Kobus Joubert still held a slender lead from a strong running Hylton Dunn with Cradock's Christo Muller a further 5 minutes back. Port Elizabeth Springbok triathlete Jack de Kort was 5 minutes behind 4th placed Mike Els to make up the top 5.
The highly technical last 13km, with the treacherous and adrenalin rushing scree section - major adrenalin rush when the unstable scree increases downward momentum when least expected! - saw changes in the top 5.
Noupoort's Hylton Dunn led the way back to Geelhoutbos with a brave storming run through the scree to claim the victor's spekboom crown. Mike Els took 2nd while Christo Muller improved one position from last year to take 3rd.
Jack de Kort moved up a position from the check point to claim 4th overall and Kobus Joubert held onto 5th from fast finishing 52year old Andre Willemse.
Esna Roux could just not close the gap on Port Elizabeth's SanMari Woithe and finished 2nd Lady, 8 minutes back, with Heather Cawood 3rd.
The two winners each received a Liberty Health Baviaanskloof leopard spoor trophy, spekboom crown, gold medal and a rather hefty black rhino floating trophy.
In addition to their dated Liberty Health Baviaanskloof Trail Run medal, shirt, cap and very useful specially made denim goody bag, each finisher received a spekboom plant.
And it was not only the runners who benefited from the day.
At prize giving Race Director Evie Raubenheimer on behalf of Liberty Health and the runners presented a significant donation to Johan Kruger for conservation in the Baviaanskloof.