MEIRINGSPOORT HALF MARATHON 17 OCTOBER 2009.

THE MEIRINGS POORT HALF MARATHON 17 OCTOBER 2009.

THIS IS A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON THE MEIRINGSPOORT HALF MARATHON.
THIS REPORT DESCRIBES THE BUILD UP, THE DRIVE TO DE RUST, THE EVENT, THE RESULTS AND THE HISTORY OF THE POORT.

Meiringspoort half (21Kay) is a race that I have long wished to do. The race falls on the same day as the Voet of Africa which we used to do when we traveled for runs. We had driven through the Meiringspoort on our way to the Orange River Canoe trail about 10years ago.

This year, Gerald told me that he would be doing the race and I decided that now is the time. I registered for the race early, thinking that I would qualify for a T-shirt as only the first 150 entrants receive the T-Shirt. I registered as number 158 and so only just missed out. Not that I need more T-shirts. I had planned to Camp and so had not been too concerned about accommodation. When I got round to making a booking I found that the camping ground and all the local accommodation was full. We ended up in a Self Catering B & B in Oudtshoorn.

Gerald, Ronel and I had been doing some longer runs on Saturdays. Starting at 05.00am, we had run to the beach where we met a group of Adrienne, Suzanne, Susan, Maryna, Pat, Anne Du Rand, Adriane Smith, Peter Mc Ewan and others who joined our group. We would run from Hobie to Walmer Boulevard, Strandfontien and back via Admiralty Road.

These runs would be at an easy pace with walking interspersed but we were able to gain confidence from the fact that we had completed a 20Kay training session.

Jacqui Zeelie had recently started running with the MPRG and had a friend (Brenda Scholtz) who was also reasonably new to running (having done her first 21kay at Knysna earlier this year) who had entered the Meiringspoort. As a result Jacqui decided to make the Meiringspoort her first race experience. They too would do longer runs over weekends but were not training with our group.

Gerald and Ronel had recently run the Hermanus Half marathon and were in good shape for this event. We had all planned to leave at around Lunch time on Friday afternoon. Brenda and Jacqui met us at our house at 13.30 and we finally left PE at around 14.00. We drove the route to Humansdorp on the N2 as far as the Langkloof Turn off.

Then the route took us to Joubertina where we had a Pit Stop. We met Barry DuPlessis who runs the Restaurant, the book store, the Pub and a farm about 25kays into the Kouga and Baviaanskloof. Barbara bought a children's book which she will use for story telling in her school. The little children love a thrilling story with animals and adventures with lots of pictures to stimulate their imagination.

As we drove the Langkloof Road, with Brenda following us, we came up to a section of road that was undergoing repair. I saw a vehicle parked on the side of the road but as it was a combi taxi I passed it. What I did not realise was that this should have been a “stop and go” and we were now on the wrong side of the road with nowhere to go. There was a lady guarding the road and directing traffic. She was not able to see the humour and also did not want us to park on the right hand side. So both cars had to back up and park behind the combi. And then a few seconds later a big truck drove in the opposite direction. While it had been quite funny at the time, if we had been a few seconds later we could have been involved in a nasty situation.

From there we drove on to the Uniondale turn off. The road winds through a narrow poort for about 10kays. The road has been damaged by the floods of 1996 and drivers have to exercise care as oncoming traffic is dangerous. It is along this road that, in 1968 a young couple had a motor accident and a 20year old girl was killed. About 10 years after this the ghost of this person was seen along the road. Since then there have been a number of sightings of a young lady hitch-hiking and tales of car doors being flung open and an apparition clinging to the back of cars. It is for this reason as well as the poor condition of the road that people avoid this road in the night.

From Uniondale we took the road to Willowmore and then turned off to De Rust. This road is quite spectacular as you drive parallel to the magnificent Swartberg range. As we reached De Rust we found parking and walked up to the Registration which is in “Die Kerk Saal”. Here we found a magnificent array of food, cakes and biscuits, meat and various goods for sale. De Rust was built on Petrus Meiring's farm in 1900 and was a resting place where wagons would out-span before tackling the long trek through the poort.

We ordered a tea and joined Pat, Ronel and Gerald. They had arrived, in their new Hyundai, a few minutes earlier. From here we split up: Jacqui and Brenda met their friends: Glen and Maura and had supper in the village before trying to find their B & B which was about an hours drive (near to the start of the race) from De Rust, along a Dirt Road. They got lost before finally phoning for directions. Jacqui described the hospitality as amazing and the room delightful in an African style and open plan bathroom which would have been great for a married couple but may have been a bit awkward for Brenda and her to share.

Gerald followed us as we drove the 35kays to Oudtshoorn. We were staying at the same B & B – Weltevreden at 80 Keyter street. While it was not luxurious, it was quite adequate as a place to sleep. Barbara & I found a restaurant where we ordered takeaways. Barbara had Fillet of Ostrich Steak and I had a Vegetable platter. We ordered a Chocolate mouse and Ice cream for desert. We returned to our B & B intending to have our supper and to watch a DVD on Ally's mini DVD player that we had brought along. Our plans were dashed however as we both fell asleep as soon as we were in bed.

Saturday morning I was up earlier that I had to be. Once I had washed and shaved, I made some hot chocolate and we left at around 5am. We filled with Petrol and joined the line of cars heading at this early hour, to De Rust. At Barbara's insistence we found a parking close to the start. We sat waiting until Jacqui's group came walking up the road. I followed them until they declared a need for the toilet.

I wandered down to where the cattle / ostrich trucks were waiting to take the runners to the start. Here I met up with Leslie and Rodney Maggot. Rodney was doing the 10kay and so Leslie and I looked for a place on a truck. I am not sure how it came that we were so lucky but we were able to board a bus. As we were about to board there were cries of “This bus is Full”. We ignored them and I pushed my way on insisting that my “wife” should be allowed to board as well. We sat on the front dashboard watching as some other poor souls froze on the back of bakkies. As we drove to the start I was again in awe of the mighty rock faces. Leslie told me that we should make time to visit the waterfall.

We firstly passed the Ten Kay start and then arrived at the end of the poort where there is a turning point for vehicles. I enjoyed a cup of sweet tea, found someone with some Vaseline, greeted Gerald and family, Jacqui and her group and then the start gun went off.

I was surprised to see everyone heading off in the wrong direction. I followed suite and soon realised that there was a One Kay run in a Westerly direction before the runners turned around and headed back to De Rust. I saw Mike and Devera Magson, Lewellan Clack and Allan Taylor all charging along at breakneck speed. I wondered at their ability to keep up such a fast speed for 21kays.

I went off too fast but was feeling good and chatting to a variety of people. Alan Howe, Carol from Humansdorp, a group of runners from Hartenbos who insisted that we had to speak Afrikaans when we are in places like De Rust. I was having fun as we crossed one drift after the next. The route takes the runners along the Groot Rivier. The sound of the water under the bridges, the magnificent sandstone cliff faces and green lichen gives the runner a sense of the wonder and beauty of the poort.

As we ran I felt this huge sense of sadness that Ian had never been into this place. Ian would have loved it and would have soon been identifying the rocks and plants. Meiringspoort is a place that every able bodied South African who has the means, should visit at some stage. Even if it is just to drive through. There are many places to pull over and to admire the views. At one stage there is a section of the old road which is built from stone with hand placed stone walls supporting the outer edge of the road still standing strong. This old road is something like 150 years old.

VASBYT.
Vasbyt is a South African term meaning to hang on when the situation is tough. In my recent running career I have forgotten how to Vasbyt. Too often I have walked whenever I felt like it. I have become lazy and use any little excuse to take it easy. I remember running the Kouga Kus half with Tim. I ran with him for the first ten kays and then faded horribly when it came to the hilly section.

This morning I had run fast (for me that is) for the first half of the distance. I asked for times from other runners and realised that I had done the first 10 or 12kays at a pace of about 5.15 a kay. I knew that I would not be able to keep this fast pace up. But I decided to take it one kay at a time and to try to not walk unless it was absolutely necessary. Leslie passed me. I had a stitch just under my ribs. But I maintained a pace that seemed to me to be sustainable for the last 7 or so kays. Liz (Grundling I think) passed me. She is an amazing runner who still holds my admiration from the night when I had bailed from a Comrades and she came in before Bruce Fordyce running in, what could be described as dusk, in Pietermaritzburg.

Towards the last 5kays the route emerges out of the poort. Up to now the gradient has been basically downhill and gives the runner a sense of well-being. From about 5kays to go there are some slight up hills. I am not good on hills but managed to keep up the running and stopped myself from walking at any stage. I knew that if I had just one walk then that would be it for me and I would get back into my bad habit of walking as soon as I felt tired in the slightest.

Nicky Roote passed me. She commented on how awful it was that runners tossed their water sachets into the river. At this stage there were a number of runners passing me. I was not concerned as I was still enjoying the morning and knew that I could hold out. We could see the first buildings of De Rust on the top of the hill. We passed the 3kay to go mark. Erna and Sonja from MPRG drove past us. Nicky thought that they may have started late or done the Ten Kay.

What I learned on Monday morning at MPRG was that Erna and Sonja had decided to go in their own vehicle to the start of the 21kay. They had done this race before and knew the course and the drill. They reached the start of the run, found a place to turn and mingled with the rest of the runners. And started with the gun. A few minutes later they reached the 9kay to go mark! Erna says to Sonja: “I have this terrible cold feeling!” Sonja says: “Yes. We are doing the Ten Kay”. Big Oooops! They had parked where the 10kay started, not even knowing that there was a 10. Ah well: Ce la vie!

The morning was becoming quite hot as the sun was on our backs and there was not much of a breeze. We reached the village. Leslie was ahead of me and walked occasionally. I passed her and forced myself to move just above a walk. The route takes a left turn into the village then a right turn up the hill. Immediately you can see the finish. One kay to go. And we turn away from the finish. Back to the main road. Up the hill. Barbara is there taking photographs.

I run past Barbara, wondering if my attempt at a smile for the camera would come out as a determined grimace. I continued up the hill, turned left again and managed to stay a the same jogging pace up the very last hill. Finally the last 20 meters down to the finish. Leslie was just behind me and we have finished in about 1H56Minuttes. Jan and Irene van Eden do the time keeping and registration.

I walked back to where Barbara was standing in the main road and watched the runners coming in. Geoff Roberts, Ronel, Brenda then Gerald and Jacqui, Marie Louise Emslie, Maura, and finally Pat came in smiling and looking like she had just started. Les and Margie Brightman were there as well as a number of Crusaders.

Today was also the running of the Port Alfred 27kay where most of the Achilleans would be found. Jacqui had completed her first half marathon in a very acceptable time of around 2H20. She had run most of the distance with Maura having met Gerald a short way before the end. Brenda had been a little in front of them and had also competed the half looking good. This was only her second 21kay after the Kynsa half earlier this year.

As a result of Leslie telling me about the Waterfall, Barbara & I left immediately and drove back through the poort. We drove right through to where the race had started and then back to the waterfall stop. Here the authorities have built a wonderful area for vehicles to stop as well as an information center. We learned that each of the crossing of the Groot Rivier has a name with a background. There are 25 crossings:

From De Rust:
1.Spookdrif: A supernatural light in the form of a ball of fire has been seen at this point.
2.Skansdrif: Stone Ramparts were built here to prevent flooding.
3.Damdrif: There was a very large water-hole here that was deceptive particularly to strangers who would often become bogged down in the mud.
4.Boesmansdrif: here there are deep clefts in the rock face where San people used to live.
5.Skelmkloof Drif: here there is a hidden ravine where water trickles into the Groot Rivier.
6.Aalwyndrif: Named after the beautiful aloes that over look this drift. Aloes are sought after for their medicinal uses.
7.Nooiensboomdrif: A Nooiensboom is a Cabbage Tree and two of these trees used to grow on either side of the road.
8.Stewelsdrif: A “stewel” is translated as a Boot. A wagoner of farmer Petrus Meiring lost his boots here and had to return home for a new pair. Here the name Dubbledrif can also be seen. This does not appear to be an official name of a drift as it does not appear on the list of Drifts in the information center.
9.Perskeboomdrif: so named from the peach trees that used to grow close to this Drift.
10.Sanddrif: Sandbanks would cause obstructions here. The first Concrete causeway was built here in 1948
11.Herrie se drif: first known as Nagas drif it later took on the name Herrie. C J Langenhoven (1873 – 1932) poet and afrikaans writer, is best known for composing the South African National Anthem: “Uit die Blou van onse hemel” which was later adapted to our present anthem incorporating Nkosi Siki Lele in 1995 when Nelson Mandela become president. Langenhoven carved out the name Herrie which was the name of his fictional Elephant in his book: “Sonde met die Bure”. This is one of the few cases of Graffiti becoming a National Heritage site. It was proclaimed in 1973 to celebrate the birth date of Langenhoven.
12.Witperdedrif: a Rabbi and his horses were washed away at this site. His remains were never found.
13.Ou Tol drif: named after the Old Toll house which has been gone for many years
14.Wadrif: Legend has it that a number of wagons were washed away here.
15.Witfonteindrif: there is a steam of crystal clear water that flows from kranses to the west of this crossing.
16.Uitspandrif: there is sufficient area for the wagoners to allow the oxen to turn and to graze in this area.
17.Waterfaldrif: so called after a nearby waterfall.
18.Ontploffingsdrif: a wagon loaded with explosives traveling along the Boer Road exploded close by here. The Anglo Boer war / South African war (1899 – 1902) saw the British Soldiers build a fort with wall so stone here.
19.Derdetoldrif: to the West of this crossing two more Toll Houses were built. The ruins of these houses can still be seen here.
20.Rooiuitspanningsdrif: here there was sufficient space for a number of ox wagons to outspan. The red comes from the red soil in the area.
21.Pereboom se drif. As you approach this drift you go through a horse shoe bend. A saffron pear tree grew here making this a popular place for wagons to outspan
22.Bloupunt drif: wagons would frequently become stuck in the loose gravel here. The name is derived from that of a nearby farm.
23.Wasgatdrif: Entering Meiringspoort from the North, travelers could fill their barrels and could wash off the Karoo dust in the first really deep pools in many miles.
24.Opmetingsdrif: in 1912 measurements were taken to decide upon building a dam in this possibly suitable position.
25.Laaste Drif: traveling from the South this would have been the last drift that you would cross.

Petrus Meiring owned the farm where De Rust is now situated. It was he who loved to explore and discovered the route through the Swartberg mountain range, we now refer to as Meirings Poort. He was the son of a Pastor Meiring who arrived in South Africa in 1743.

Back at the waterfall stop area we first examined the history of the Poort. This road which connected the Klein and the Groot Karoo took about 2 years to complete and was officially opened on 3 March 1858. The original road was called the Boer Road and cost about 5 000 pounds to build. During the great depression the road was upgraded at a cost of around 10 000 pounds. This was probably in anticipation of the visit by the Prince of Wales. At this time a walkway to the waterfall was hewn out of the rock face.

In 1948 a further reconstruction cost 14 000 pounds. After the floods of 1996 the road was rebuilt at a cost of R1,6 Million and in 2000 The premier of the Western Cape, Gerald Morkel opened the newly constructed road which had then cost R70 Million to build. The name Meirings Poort came from Petrus Johannes Meiring a nearby farmer (1799-1876).

Barbara and I walked the short way to the waterfall. This is a spectacular point of interest and should not be missed by any visitor to the area. We got talking to a family who had just run the race as well. We also chatted to a group of Bikers (our age) who were cruising the area.

I had this overwhelming sense appreciation that I was able to do things like this. Running a 21kay through this stunning poort, meeting up with a group of friends, viewing this waterfall and the poort drive with Barbara. This is a very special privilege that we enjoy and we should savour every moment. A group of Barbara's school children were at the parking area with their parents who had also run the race this morning.

While we were enjoying our day at Meiringspoort, Adrienne and Peter Wilson were in Cape Town to watch Jennifer playing Hockey. She has played for South Africa for some time and in a game earlier this week she scored a goal. By Sunday afternoon the South African girls were through to the final having drawn against NZ and beaten Spain 1-0. they were now up against NZ again in the final. I later learned that SA were beaten by NZ after a thrilling match ending up 2-1 to NZ.

We headed back to De Rust. On our way we stopped to see if we could find the stone carving of C J Langenhoven: Herrie. There it was; in bold letters. Nearly 100 year old Graffiti! Barbara spotted, what she thought could be a Black Eagle Nest on the cliff face on the east side of the kloof. And sure enough, when we looked closely at the photograph back home, the nest of an eagle could be clearly seen.

Back at De Rust, we bought ourselves a Curry & Rice which was delicious and just right. By now I was ravenous. We sat for a while with Brenda, Maura and Glen who were with Jacqui Zeelie. Jacqui traveled back home with us. On our way home we again stopped at Joubertina before completing the last leg of the drive home.

Race Results of some of the people that we know at the event:
1st person home time of 1.07
15th Michael Magson 1.18
4th Lady and 43rd Davera Magson 1.26
88th Les Brightman 1.33
92nd Lewllan Clack 1.34
108th Alan Taylor 1.36
331st Nicky Roote 1.54
359 Peter Giddy 1.56
361 Leslie Maggot 1.56
371 Alan Howe 1.57
371 Alan Howe 1.57
478 Geoff Roberts 2.02
641 Brenda Scholtz 2.12
671 Ronel Scheepers 2.14
708 Gerald Scheepers 2.19
716 Jacqui Zeelie 2.19
721 Marie Louise Emslie 2.19
724 Maura Jarvis 2.19
788 Pat Scheepers 2.28
905 Last man home 2.58



Back home, Ally had stayed over at her friend, Nicola Prinsloo. Bev and Chris are really good to Ally. They make her feel very much at home. Barbara and I had a quick wash and made our way down to Summerstrand where we caught the last few minutes of the Currie Cup Rugby semi final. Completely against the run of play and in the very final minutes, The Free State Cheetah's beat the Natal Sharks.

We then watched the Blue Bulls play against the Western Province team. It was a really tense match with a half time score of 12 nil to the Blue Bulls with Morne Steyn scoring all the points from penalties. Province came back in the second half and scored a number of penalties of their own. The game moved at a fierce pace and defense had to be perfect on both sides but finally Gio Aplon out sprinted two Bulls players after a grubber kick and scored the only try of the match. The conversion put the WP team ahead. A penalty to either side thereafter put WP in the lead again. In the final minute Morne dropped a goal for the winning three points.

Bulls will now play Cheetah's at Loftus. Clint had been making up a Pot and we ended off the evening with potjie and rice before collecting Ally from Nicola's house.