ADDO TRAIL RUN KIRKWOOD TO ADDO AND ZUURBERG MAY 2010

May 2010

Addo 25 mile and 50 mile trail runs

For us it turned out to be an Addo 52kay trail run

A few months ago Andrew Barton had told us about a trail run that he had done last year. As far as I can remember, Gerald said that he would be doing the 25Miler while Andrew was planning to do the 50miler. A number of us took up the challenge and Ronel entered the 50 with Andrew. Adrienne, Pat and I thought Gerald entered the 25. I was mistaken and Gerald had entered the 50. So now it would be Pat, Adrienne and myself running the 25 together.

I have done a few trail runs before but I think that I had forgotten quite how difficult a trail run is. I took my training lightly. I had been very busy in the month prior to this run and had not done any long distance running at all. In the week of the Run I did one Moffat 15kay with the backpack but apart from that I did occasional morning runs which are barely 10kays.

The organisers of this event are Extreme Marathons. This is a family of Nadia and Etienne from Mossel Bay. Nadia sent out a whole pack of information emails and we were able to check the website for any other information we required. Unfortunately no amount of reading can prepare you for an event of this nature. A few days before the run we received an email to say that the start had changed from in the village of Kirkwood to a venue just outside of Kirkwood. This added about 4kays to the distance.

I had asked Adrienne to collect my Number as they were all going to drive through on Friday. Registration was at the Addo National Park main camp. I prepared myself with my backpack and a few essentials. I also took a small waterproof bag that Nicci and Stefan had given me. I would use this to carry my phone. We had workmen in our house doing the flooring and our house was a mess but I managed to get a good night's rest and woke up refreshed at 03.30am on Saturday morning. I had put all of my kit out the night before and by just after 04.00am I was on the road to Kirkwood. I took Barbara's Corsa Bakkie as Michael would be collecting us from Zuurberg in my car.

The weather had been predicted to be overcast but no rain. I saw that there had been light showers the night before but as I drove towards Uitenhage I encountered heavy rain showers. I was not prepared with a waterproof top for rain but there was nothing that I could do now so pressed on. The drive to Kirkwood took me about an hour and 20 minutes. The start was at a ranch called Lookout. As you reach the T-Junction from the Uitenhage-Graff Reinette road you make an immediate left and Lookout is on your left. I drove up a dirt road for a few hundred meters and found the Lapa where there were a number of cars.

They marked my name as present and I was able to use the toilet and then was ready to start. Adrienne, Pat, Gerald, Andrew, Ronel were all there. I also saw Shane Norris who I gave my finish tog bag to for his vehicle to take to the end. I looked for Chris Gedye but could not find him. Also Christophe Opperman and Sharon Jessop were on the list of entrants but I new saw them at all. Trevor Hawkins and friend Daniel Melin were there. This would be their second time doing this event.

Adrienne put her tog bag in the Bakkie. There was a photo taking session under the start banner. Etienne, the organiser gave us some final instructions and we left at about 06.15 down the dirt road to the main road to Kirkwood. Many of the runners had head lamps. We jogged along this road and past the outskirts of the village. Within minutes it was light. I could see that Andrew was taking strain. He told me that he had been suffering an Achilles injury.

Robin Fourie ran past. I immediately thought that he must have taken Chris Darke's entry as Chris was injured with a stress fracture and was out of running. We jogged out of the village and past the local township area. It was a colourful scene with the locals just waking up to brush teeth and watch the runners passing by. Camera's (and phone camera's) were taken out and within the first hour we were taking pictures galore. Michelle Elfick and Ronel passed us. They were doing the 50 and we would not see them again. Gerald caught us up to tell us that Andrew had pulled out injured.

At about five kays, just as we entered the game park, we came to a fork. The 25 Mile participants took the right fork and Gerald took the left fork. He was running with a man who he had met but we were all worried about him running on his own. The 50milers would now run an extra 13kay loop.

Shortly into the run we came across streams and large pools of water. Each time we would step gingerly across trying to avoid getting our takkies wet. We had met up with Susan Jurgens from Mpumalanga. Her husband (Flip)was doing the 50. It seems that he is a bit of a trail running freak. He has twice won the Augrabies trail run and has even run the Desert Run in America where you have to run 180kays in 40 hours carrying everything yourself to be awarded a belt buckle. Susan told us that he would be taking it easy today. Susan told us that Flip is a vet who consults for chicken farms in the Mpumalanga and the Free State area's.

Once we were in the Addo Park the rest of the run was on dirt tracks. Mainly Jeep tracks where we were able to run in the road. There were many sections where it was uncomfortable to run and we would walk these sections. We also walked every up hill. It did not seem long in to the run when we came to the first checkpoint. They had a real spread for us including potato, banana, tea, coffee, water and energy mix, Pepsi and sweets. I met up with Robin Fouries wife, Ronwyn. She confirmed that Robin had taken Chris Darke's number.

The people who are prepared to man these check point / refreshment tables are all volunteers and it is amazing to see how cheerful and willing they are. At each table we would be listed as arriving and as leaving. This is essential in this type of event as it is possible for an athlete to become lost or disoriented.

We pressed on and with the first of the 50milers passing us we realised what it is to be really fit. He came charging past with just a water bottle in his hand. As we were negotiating one of the water obstacles another of the 50's came past us. He did not bother with trying to keep his feet dry and splashed through the pool. So at the next pool I decided to follow suite and then the whole group of us were almost knee deep in water.

As it turned out this did not make any difference to our feet. Later in the run I saw that all three of the girls in our group changed socks. I had only one pair but in any event the socks and shoes seemed to dry out pretty quickly.

We came to the second check point. Again there was a real spread. At each table I would take in as much as I could. Potato and banana, Pepsi, fill the bladder in my backpack and store some sweets for the road. At this point I finally met Nadia the organiser. She was running the 25 as well and would try for a good time. We never saw here again and presumed that she had missed her goal of 8.30hours.

Shortly after this table we started the really big hill. It took us about an hour to reach the top. It was a real slog up a steep incline and a never ending hill that every time you think that you are at the top there is more hill ahead. It was on this climb that I met up with Robyn Reid from George. She was with her parents who she told me were a little further back. Robyn would walk the entire distance. We next saw Robyn at the finish. She was far ahead of us and must have walked at a really good steady pace. Susan had showed us the mountain that we would have to climb. It had looked ominous. The real thing was as tough as any climb could be.

Pat was a little way behind us but we had agreed to stick together and we would wait for her when she got too far behind. We tried to jog as often as possible but these would be for short distances before we would reach another uphill. Many of the 50milers were passing us. We met up with a couple from Johannesburg. They too were doing the 50kay; Graham and Jennifer Morrison who we would pass and then they would pass us for most of the day.

Finally at the top of the hill we reached the third checkpoint. I seemed to recognise one of the ladies there. It turned out to be Rufka who is at the Dresden Coffee shop in Rink street. I saw Rufka and her husband a few weeks later and he told me that their Landrover was the only vehicle that was able to climb the steep hill on the muddy roads. He was planning to volunteer for the Augrabies seconding.

We waited for Pat who was only minutes behind us. Here at last we were able to make and receive phone calls. Adrienne has entrusted carrying of her phone/camera to me as I had this really handy water proof sling pouch that Nicci & Stefan had given me for a birthday. Adrienne would take and MMS photos to her family the whole day. This check point was about the half way mark in distance. At this stage I thought we were in good time for about a 8 to 9 hour time. I phoned Michael to let him know of our progress. Michael would drive through from PE to Zuurberg to fetch us later.

At the top of the escarpment I was able to phone Nicci to find out how their morning had gone. Stefan and Nicci were at Wellington where they were taking part in the Safari Dried Fruit 21kay. Stefan had this wish to complete a half marathon in under 2 hours. Nicci had run the 5kay in 38 minutes and told me that she had watched as Stefan completed his 21 in 2hours and 10 seconds. It was quite a milestone for him and they were both elated with the results.

From here we would be able to do quite a bit of jogging. This is the best part of the run. You are able to see vast valleys and hills on both sides of the hills and necks that you run past. At each turn there is another breathtaking view to admire. Many photo's were taken. At one stage I feel the urge to see if the :"Kranse Antwoord Gee" so I give a wild and loud shout and true enough the hills echo to my call. It was good to have Susan with us as she was doing her second 25miler and remembered various features and distances. We walked / ran this section of the event with relative ease. More and more of the 50milers would pass us.

We reached what we thought would be the very highest point: there was a beacon located here. The two walking ladies passed us. They looked like they were on a very serious attempt to do well. A number of runners and walkers had "Ski Sticks' to assist them. I once tried hiking with a stick but found it to be a burden and have never walked with a hiking stick again. The Walkers would stride out with arms pumping. Pat looked at her GPS to tell us that 5.15hours had passed and that we were at 35kays. In our calculations this meant about 15kays to go. Just then Etienne came past in his four wheeler and I asked him how much further to go. He told me that it was 17kays from the next checkpoint which was about 2kays ahead.

This was a bit of a blow and we now calculated that the total distance was going to be closer to 52kays. We reached the next check point, registered our numbers, had plenty to eat again and pressed on. Susan had explained that it would not be long after this point that we would begin a serious descent. At this stage we were still high up on the ridge looking down into deep valleys and kranses.

The weather had been really kind to us. At no stage was it so hot that we were in trouble. Most of the day the sky was overcast with cloud cover. Once or twice a cool breeze had blown from the north but we were never cold nor were we over heating. The only time that I had felt the heat was when we were ascending the first steep climb and water was dripping off my face.

Susan showed us a look out point were we could see down to the river and valley below. We had not seen any game. I kept on wondering if we would come across any Elephant or Rhino. Susan assured us that they were enclosed behind the fence that we were running along. That was until we reached an open gate to this so called enclosure. As we were descending some of the really steep drops one of the 50milers came past. He was carrying two hiking sticks which he used to assist himself up hill.

At one point, on a steepish downhill, I got excited and tried to jog, but with tired legs, I miscalculated and tripped. I was lucky that all that was really hurt was my ego. I had small scratches on my knee which stung for a while but this was a solid reminder to behave myself. Finally we reached what appeared to be the bottom of the valley. There was a kind of farm with cattle and grassy area. I suppose that the Game Park and the local people come to some kind of arrangement when it comes to farming in a nature reserve.

We came to the last of the check points. This was down in the valley and the people manning this table had camped out for the night. There was a toilet there which the girls found to be a real relief. There must have been 5 or six tents where whole families had camped in this remote valley with no reception, limited water supply and no electricity. They told me that the night had been mild but in previous years they had been really cold in the night. Waiting for Pat gave us a short time to recover.

The people at the final refreshment station told us that the remaining distance was just 8kays. It was familiar territory for me as this valley is the same route as the Zuurberg mountain run that Achilles (Bob Stedman)hosts. I have not run the race for some years but have a permanent number due to having completed 10 of them. We climbed over the turnstile and from here it would be a single lane pathway. Previously we had been running along jeep tracks. Shortly after the turnstile we came to the large pool. I had anticipated this and had worn my bathing costume.

I took off my running stuff and had a short but refreshing swim in murky water. The girls pressed on. I got dressed again and jogged up to where Pat was a little way behind Adrienne and Susan. Robin Fourie came from the opposite direction. He was going back to the last checkpoint where he would meet his wife and drive back for his car. He too, complained about how tough the final 8kay section had been.

This section was a really long slog. We did hardly any running as the terrain did not lend itself to getting into any kind of stride. Our legs and bodies were really tired and we were disinclined to run. Many years ago my family did the Zuurberg mountain run with me. We would run the race and then everyone would stay for the breakfast that was part of the whole event. There were always piles of Lucky Draws and our family seemed to be particularly inclined to drive home examining our treasures.

Most of the last 8kays was a walk. The trail is a steady climb until finally we reached what is the actual hill leading up to the Zuurberg hotel. It was a long and tiring climb, mostly steps and switchbacks.

At this stage I thought, with good memories but with a sad heart, of our late friend, Carel Boshoff whose duty it had been to bring water to the runners on the Zuurberg mountain run. I also remembered that this was where I had first met Sonja and Erna who now run with the MPRG. Their fiend Willie van Jaarsveld was doing the 25mile.

Up and up the trail led us. Susan was in front showing us the way. I had thought that we would climb up through the valley with which I was familiar but we turned left and finally came to the entrance gate and back onto a road. We were able to jog the final 500 meters to the hotel. As we approached the finish we took hands and the four of us finished together.

We had taken just less than 10 hours. Susan told us that she had run about 8.30 last year but she did not complain. Last year she had been on her own the whole way. It would be a lonely and tiring trail to be on your own for so long. Michael was there to greet us. Daryl and Eve Raubenheimer were taking times and handing out medals. Eve handed me my tog bag that Shane had left for me. I was happy to put on a clean shirt and a warm top. Michelle's family, Trevor's family, Andrew Barton were all there. Pat elected to stay to watch Ronel come past. They would be support for our runners for the final 27kays to Addo. Susan was not worried about her husband and confident that he could handle the distance.

I never saw Shane or Chris but they must have had a good run. Some of the results from the two events:
52kay event:
The winner finished in just under 5hours.
Robin Fourie was 5th overall and first Achillean in 5.38 with Chris Gedye just behind him in 6th position with 5.49. Christoff Opperman did a 6.21 in 17th position. Willie van Jaarsveld was 19th at 6.28. Sharon Jessop who I have met on Trail Runs before finished in 31st position at 6.48. Shane Norris who had told me that this was to be part of his Comrades Training and he would be taking it easy managed 34th position at 6.49. Trevor Hawkins (Crusaders) was in 58th position at 9.42 and we were just behind: 60th (position not age) in 9.49. The last person in was 87th in 13.25.

In the long event (around 85kays) there were 42 finishers. The first competed this event at Addo main camp in 8.24 while Allison Pledger, Michelle Elfick and Ronel Scheepers finished in 13.49 with Gerald third last man home having been on the road for 16 hours and 44 minutes. He later told me how he had been frightened by a large elephant near to the fence where he walked into the park area. As Gerald finished he had been given special attention and care by one of the nurses. Gerald simply loves to be fussed over by a female attendant.

After a short recovery Michael, Adrienne & I packed up and left for Kirkwood where the Bakkie was waiting. Susan got a lift with us as they had also left their vehicle there. An interesting story is that last weekend we had done the Triathlon and I had met up with Angela Guscot and boyfriend Trevor. This afternoon Michael told me that he works with Angela who had asked him if he knew Peter Giddy. Small world!

We swapped cars and were home by about 18.30. A bit stiff but strangely after a wash I felt no pain and no stiffness. I did not sleep that well as my legs would cramp from time to time and my hips were sore. We learned that Ronel and Michelle had passed Zuurberg about 90 minutes after we left and that Gerald was also through. Andrew reported that he was doing well and in good spirits. Gerald must have had to negotiate the last section before Zuurberg in the dark by torchlight. The 50 milers would have to do a further about 27kays of mainly downhill to the main road and then across and into the main Addo Camp site.