Liberty Health Baviaanskloof Trail Run
18 September 2010
Race Report
"OK guys listen up ............... the route this year through the spekboom ......"
Looking around most people were listening this year, especially those who had been here last year!, and of course all the new entrants. Word had spread ........ you have to listen to the pre race briefing!!
The second Liberty Health Baviaanskloof Trail Run has once again lived up to the pre race hype as being tough and rugged. Together with the possible chance of sighting rhino, leopard or buffalo (Ant and Murray were extremely lucky to hear, see and smell buffalo as they charged through their camp site on Friday night).
Watching the weather forecast the week leading up to the run was not that great, well... great for the area as currently the Eastern Cape is in the grips of a sever drought, but not so great for the feeding station/check point folk and those family members waiting at the finish. (There was even a discussion with regard to running in Wellington boots!!). In the end the weather could not have been more perfect, especially after the extreme heat of last year. Cool conditions to run in, a few drops of rain at the finish on the odd occasion but nothing to make one scurry for shelter.
It was great news to hear that there had been road maintenance and that the route through the Baviaans could easily be driven with a high clearance car, not necessarily a 4 x 4.
Wonderful game and bird life was spotted, the flora was looking fantastic with lots of new growth; although not everyone was lucky enough to see the leopard, it was wonderful taking a slow drive through the Reserve.
Registration was slightly different ...... runners were asked to produce their personal drinking cup as there would not be cups available at the feeding station. As we were privileged to run in a Wilderness area, littering was not going to be an option.
On display at registration were the bronze Rhino winner's trophies together with a Liberty Health ‘Legend of the Baviaanskloof' framed Rhino sketch which, from 2011, will be presented to all those who complete three Liberty Health Baviaanskloof Trail Runs. Also on the table were mounted Leopard paw print casts for the winners. Those runners preparing for the second run were keen to safely complete the 2010 run, thus making it another step closer to receiving the framed Rhino print. Our thanks for UTi Sun Couriers for their sponsorship of the framing.
A short warm-up loop before heading up the steep hill and into the Wilderness area where stunning views and flora were a good excuse to stop and take plenty photo's (more often for some than others!!).
While the runners were enjoying their time on the mountain top, Mike Wood and other qualified field guides from the Honorary Conservators took a group for a short (much to short for some!) yet extremely interesting walk into the World Heritage Site area.
Hylton Dunn came storming home having passed Kobus Joubert who was first at the check point. Ladies defending champion SanMari Woithe lead from the start to retain first place for the second year. Congratulations to all of you who finished.
Each runner finishing was warmly welcomed home by friends and family relaxing at the finish before being presented with a high quality dated medal, spekboom plant and a refreshing bottle of Frankie's olde style soft drink.
We were thrilled to present on behalf of Liberty Health, and the runners, a donation to the Baviaanskloof Reserve and the Honorary Conservators.
Thankfully James, Amelia and Louise from BLS Medical only had to attend to a small number of scratches and grazes this year.
Thank you to all those who assisted, the Honorary Conservators for marshalling and providing munchies at the finish. Dave Robertson who assisted Darrell with the route marking, set up at the finish and for being the sweep together with Peter Hattingh. Marceille West was a great help at registration and assisted with timekeeping at the finish.
We would not be able to stage an event of this nature without the assistance of our Event Partners
Liberty Health, whose continued support is greatly appreciated.
UTi Sun Couriers for transporting our requirements from around the country.
Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency for allowing us to run in the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve.
Alan Ainslie Wildlife Gallery
Frankie's Olde Style Soft Drink Company
Drifters Adventure Centre (Sandton City and Cape Town)
Finally thank you for your support and for sharing this beautiful area with us. We hope to see you back in the Baviaanskloof next year, so please diarise 17 September 2011 as race date. Entries will open mid April, keep an eye out for that email!!
Keep your trail shoes dirty; see you once again next year in the Baviaanskloof
Evie Raubenheimer
Liberty Health Baviaanskloof Trail Run
