MEIRINGSPOORT HALF MARATHON 2010

MEIRINGSPOORT HALF MARATHON 2010
Weekend 16th October 2010

Nicky Steenkamp 1.21MIN 10KAY
Stefan Steenkamp 1:53 MIN 21 KAY
Peter Giddy 1.53Min 21Kay
Julia Giddy 1.29MIN 10KAY
Ally Giddy 1.21MIN 10KAY
Suzanne Gendall & Tim's Sister 1.59MIN 21KAy
Mike Bester 73 MIN 21KAY
Darryl North 1.14min 21kay
Michael Magson 1.16min 21kay and Davera Magson 1.26min 21kay
Lizelle Norris 1.37min 21Kay and Shane Norris 1.31min 21kay
Roy Laurie2.39min 21kay and Gaynor Laurie 1.09 min 10kay
Pat Scheepers 2.24min 21kay and Gerald Scheepers 2.22 MIN 21KAY
Ronel Scheepers 2.05 MIN 10KAY
Allan Taylor 1.41min 21kay
Les Brightman 1.41min 21kay & (daughter) Tara Bekker 2.53min 21kay.
Gustaf Griesel 2.07min 21kay and Mariske Griesel(Mantzu 2.34min 21kay)
Cindy Leigh Parry 1.34min 21kay (Mariska's friend)
Susan Burri 59min 10Kay
Alf Zemkhe 2.22min 21kay
Tracey Meistre 2.11min 21kay
Ben Carver 2.06min 21kay
Mark & Adelle Hunter Smith 2.00min 21Kay
Megan Knipe 1.50min 21kay
Basil McLean 1.37min 21kay
Hannes Els 1.37min 21 kay
Chris Darke 1.20min 21kay
Georgina Thomas 1.42min 21kay



Having experienced my first Meiringspoort Half marathon in October 2009, this event was a must do for 2010. Last year I had missed the T-Shirt Cut off by just 8. To qualify for a T-Shirt you have to enter within the first 150. So I entered as early as possible. I persuaded Barbara, Ally, Stefan and Nicci to enter as well. I entered Barbara and Ally into the 10Kay and Nicci misunderstoof thinking that I had entered them in the 21 she also entered herself and Stefan in the 21kay.

We booked ourselves in the Kleinplaas resort in Oudtshoorn where we have stayed before. Michael and Cathy were due to come along for the trip but a whole bunch of circumstances had stopped them from being there this year.

I took a few days of leave so on Friday morning 15th I made myself a list of "to Do's". I am best at getting things done when I have a list and can tick items off. I started off dropping Michael at Russells Warehouse where he has a contract job and then, after a bit of searching, found the Defy warehouse where I was able to purchase a Freezer for Ena. It was a shop soiled one that they kindly offered to deliver to Plett for us.

Penny Pinchers is just around the corner from the Defy Depot in Patterson Road so this was my next stop to buy the Onduline Roofing Capping for the Wendy house which had blown away during a storm and I had never gotten round to replacing it. Then It was to Greenacres where I visited Edgars and purchased some trousers and shirts before moving on to Incredible Connection to leave Barbara's Scanner for repair. A piece of the plastic sheet had become stuck in the machine and I had not been able to remove it. From here I went off to Old Grey to make a booking for the Meeting that I would be hosting on Monday. A visit to the Supermarket closed my running around for the morning.

Having stocked up for the weekend I felt ready to leave. Julia was out trying to collect her Visa. Barbara and Ally were almost ready so we were able to leave at around 13.30 after collecting the scanner from repairs.

We took the Langkloof road and turned right to Uniondale. I was surprised that this route was open as when Gerald and I had passed here a few weeks ago to do teh Baviaans Kloof run we had to go the long way around as this road was closed. Through Uniondale and shortly afterwards took the Turn off to De Rust. It is around 80kays from Uniondale to De Rust. Nicci and Stefan would be a little behind us so we agreed to register on their behalf.

As we arrived in De Rust we saw Gerald, Pat and Ronel sitting with Alf and his friend. We went into the hall where we registered and me expecting to receive my T-Shirt as I was number 105. But the lady explained that they had lost their sponsor and were no longer handing out free T-shirts to the first 150 but only the first 20. And at R85 I felt that I should not be spending money on a commodity that I have a cupboard full.

We bought some Pancakes, a Sosatie Roll for Ally and some Granadella Syrup. Thus armed we headed off to Oudtshoorn. As we finished booking in at Kleinplaas, Nicci and Stefan arrived. We see Shane Norris and his group arriving. We were in Chalets 26 & 27. Very nice but no Braai area. Tonight this did not bother us as we would be cooking up some pasta and chicken & Vegetables.

We soon had a really substantial pre-race meal ready. We had a small (emphasis on the word small) army to feed with five potential runners: Stefan, Nicci, Ally, Julia and myself and also Barbara, Christian, Aaron, Zara and little Mia all wanting their fair share. This is what family is all about. Sharing the cooking and accommodation; squashing all together in two single chalet bedrooms with only two bathrooms amoungst all of us. But what fun we had.

We readied ourselves for the morning run. Pinning numbers onto T-shirts and setting out our kit for an early start. While I slept very well, Barbara and Julia said that they had not had a good night's rest.

We had set alarms for 04.30am but I was up a little before that and had a wash and shave. Stefan had a shower. Barbara would be following a little later so was able to have coffee in bed. We packed ourselves into Stefan's car and left Kleinplaas at around 05.25. De Rust is just 30kays from Oudtshoorn and for us was entirely suitable. We found an easy parking and walked to where the trucks and busses were lining up to ferry runners to the start.

There were some nervous tummies that needed the Port-a-loos and then we headed for the busses. Here we had to split up: Nicci, Julia and Ally took a truck to the start. We heard later that it was FREEZING on the truck. And they had warm tops on. Stefan and I were fortunate enough to find a Bus to take us to the start. We passed the 10kay start and saw Ally in her Red Hoodie climbing off the truck.

At the start area, Stefan needed the toilet and I met up with Les Brightman, Gustaf and wife Mariska (with running partner Lindy) (MPRG); Mariska had wanted to run Comrades and had even entered before finding out that she is pregnant and will not be able to competer; Gerald, Pat and Ronel, Hannes Els, Shane and Lizette Norris.

Stefan and I wanted to run under 2 hours as this gives runners a Seeding at the Two Oceans 21kay. Stefan had run a most impressive 53minute 10kay at the Gun Run last week. We meet up with Gustav and Mariska Griesel, Gerald and Pat Scheepers, Allan Taylor, Les Brightman and daughter Tara

Lining up at the start is always a nervous time. People looking for friends. Runners trying to stay focussed and streching. Then the gun goes off and we set ourselves a reasonable pace. We dodge the runners around us trying to establish a position as soon as possible. We are only allowed to run on the right hand side as the front runners will soon be approaching us.

Soon we are at a reasonable pace and in almost no time at all we see the front runners (looking more like Gazelles than men) heading towards us. I am delighted to see Michael Bester in this front group. Hot on his heels are Michael and Davera Magson and other Achilleans. Stefan and I round the One Kay turnaround point and are now heading towards De Rust.

I hear "Peter!" but only learn later that this was Suzanne Gendall. Kathleen is also there but we never see her. Nor do I see Ben Carver also from MPRG. Stefan and I are pretty well focussed on reaching the 11kay mark before 60 minutes as this will leave us a realatively comfortable time to complete the last 10kays. Allan Taylor and Les Brightman are fooling around. They are capable of a much faster pace. Les, looking at his watch, comments: "I was thinking of replacing my watch for a sundail". For them this is a moderate pace but Stefan and I are a little concerned that our pace may be too fast. Allan hands out water and passes us again.

We cross the poort a number of times reading the colourful names of each "Drif". I remember from last year learing that Herrie Drif is the famous Herrie that C J Langenhoven wrote about. We pass the Waterfall / Information Center. I later heard that there were a number of runners who had stopped here for a swim in the pool below the 60 meter waterfall. I am sure that the water was freezing cold.

We pass the various marshalls who seem to have moved from the early part of the run to assisting in the latter part. I find out from one of them that they are doing two duties. There are a number of youngsters doing marshalling duty. I hope that they will be inspired to run this event themselves one day soon. We pass the section of the Old Road where we can see that each stone must have been laid individually with the smaller stone placed carefully to wedge up the larger stones. This little section of road should be a heritage site as a tribute to those who pioneered routes such as this one.

The morning is perfect. There is a slight head wind that is just enough to cool us down without being so strong that we feel it as a hinderance. Most of the first 17kays are in shade. The race had started at 07.00am. It was cool at the start but certainly not freezing. And after less than a Kay we had warmed up.

We were running behind Lynne for some time and I think that she was quite relieved when we finally passed her. We ran with Barbara (not Barbara Giddy who had offered to look after the children) for a short while and passed her too. My Barbara had been bitten by a spider and had a lame and sore arm that she was treating with Anti-biotics as well as cream. It would not have been possible for her to have run today. Next year will have to be her maiden event. Julia was now running the 10kay evebt in her number.

We reached the 10kay to go marker board. In this event the marker boards count down as is the case at Comrades. We asked around and found out that we had run a shade under 1 hour. Our timing was perfect. Now we could be assured of a sub-2hour finish.

While there are a few up's (more like bumps) the overall gradient is downhill to around the 3 or 4kay to go mark. We cross the last of the "Drif's". Now the Gradient changes ever so slightly but we begin to feel the distance and the pace. Neither of us has a watch but I am still confident that we have not lost much time. We are tempted to slow down or even walk. But Stefan and I are good running partners and we are able to keep up a jogging pace.

Finally we see the village ahead of us. But it is still 3kays to go. We press on and avoid walking. 2 kays to go and we reach the outskirts of the village. There are runners who have finished and who are coming back to find friends and family. And we pass the back of the 10kay walkers. We pass the 81year old man who is still able to complete a 10kay. And we hope that not only do we live that long but also that we will still be fit enough to still be taking part in events such as this one.

We cross the final bridge just before the left turn. One Kay to go. A dirt road almost flat and then a sharp right hand turn up a steep hill. I ran last year and am aware that the end is still a way to go. We press on up and then the Right turn and a bit of relief as there is a short bit of down. But then the next turn is left again and up past the OK flags three streets higher before the next left turn up a short but steep up. Finally we make the last left turn down to the finish banner. Stefan has fallen behind just a few meters. I finish and then 30seconds later Stefan completes his first <2 hour 21kay. He had run the race in Wellington where he had finished in a few seconds over 2 hours. So this was a huge triumph for him. Both of us completed today's event in just under 1:54.

We met up with Nicci; Ally and Julia who had completed the 10kay earlier. This was a first for both Julia and for Ally. Ally had been quite nervous but we heard had pushed Nicci as the two of them had finished together with Julia finishing just behind them. Barbara had been able to drive some of the course as they were running / walking. So the chilren could see Nicci as she was taking part in the event.

We wanted to get back as we hoped to be able to do the Kango Caves this afternoon. I saw Ronel and then Gerald & Alf and finally saw Pat finishing. Suzanne came in just a few minutes after we did.

We walked back to the cars and drove back to Kleinplaas where we sorted out a really wholesome lunch. Everyone was hungry and felt that they deserved a substantial meal.

Hitting the Sack took on new meaning this afternoon. Julia, Ally and Nicky were soon under the covers. We had a short swim where we almost fell asleep in the sun at the poolside. And then abandoned the idea of going to the caves and established that the morning would be a better time. Mike Bester told us that he had run a personal best at 73 minutes. Most impressive. He was 12th position overall.

There was a festive bunch of Achilleans and other PE Runners who had run together and who were now disecting the race as they enjoyed the Oudtshoorn evening as they braaied.

For me it was a huge privilige to have my family together. Nicci and Julia were just as enthusiastic about the event as anyone there. For both Julia and Ally this was their first time to complete a ten kay event. They had walked / run and done it in their own time. Nicci had learned a lesson at the 2 Oceans 21kay earlier this year. There and Cathy had started flat out and after 5kays thought that this would be easy peasy. But as they reached the 15kay mark they realised that they had nothing left.

This afternoon there was a lot of enthusiastic chatting around the run. How each person had experienced the event and how they felt after completing the race. Who they had passed and who had passed them. how they had started and how they had felt at the end. Running distance may sound boring and repetitive to some people but to the person who has just completed an event of over 10kays there is a great deal of satisfaction.

Based on this experience, Nicky and Ally went out slowly and only after a 2 kay walk did they start to do some running. From there they had walked / jogged and when they reached the final Kay they both had something left and Ally was even able to run up the hill to the finish.

We prepared our evening Braai. Nicky and Ally had been sleeping and we struggled to wake them up. I think that they would have happily slept right through. Barbara had put down a blanket on the grass and was enjoying the afternoon sun while she read her book. I took the children to the swings for a short while. Really they did not need any external stimulation as they were quite happy to entertain themselves on the grassy areas in front of our chalet. Gaynor and Roy came for a short visit with a lovely looking glass of Red Wine. They introduced me to the friends and we were able to ask if we could use their Braai area.

There was lots of food and no one went hungry this evening. I had my first beer in over a week. I think that abstinence in the week before an event where I am wanting to do well is a healthy thing for me. But now a combination of beer and too much food put me to sleep and it was probably around 9pm when I fell asleep on the bed with the others still chatting around me.

Sunday Morning we were up and about fairly early. Barbara announces that there is a group of the runners out for a run this morning. I imagine that this is the fast group of Achilleans. I stay in bed. The room was a huge mess but we finally managed to pack up and headed out for the Cango Caves. Julia paid for Ally and I to do the Adventure Tour. Stefan took Christian and Aaron with him. There was a small group of us doing this tour. The guide told us that he has up to 30 on the longer tour and that the standard tour can have up to 150 people; Mainly bus tours.

We enjoyed the caves even though we have been down there before. Stallectites hang from the roof and stallecmites are formed from the ground upwards. Some of the formations that we saw in the first chamber were 700 thousand years old. They no longer hold concerts in the hall as the patrons were found to be vandalising the formations. There is even a section where there is Grafitti on the roof.

We walked up to the Devil's Chimney at the top of the steel ladder Ally Froze and could not force herself to squeeze into the narrow aperture so we went back down while the rest of the group pressed on. We waited at the foot of the ladder and finally heard the children's voices. They had really enjoyed the climb and the passages to the extent that Aaron had asked if they could do it again. The total distance that we walked was around 2.5kays including 1000 steps. Stefan was particularly proud of Christian as he had coped with all of the challenges of doing the more difficult Adventure Tour. Julia had also had a wonderful experience.

After our cave adventure we had planned to drive though the Swartberg Pass. As we left there was a sign saying the pass was closed. This was not true (we discovered later as Susan and Markus had taken this route from Prins Albert) but we turned around and headed back to Oudtshoorn, George (for MCDonalds lunch) and then Plett where we stopped off briefly to say hello to Ena and to collect some of her world famous rusks. We arrived home at around 5.30pm after collecting some Kitens from Gail's house. The heavy rains the previous week had ended up with the Animal Welfare being flooded and Barbara & Julia helping out. She brought home a bunch of Kittens that needed attention.

Monday morning I was glad when Nicky Roote, Adel and Andrew B cut short as I was stiff and sore from the weekend's activity. Nicky described how she had done the Foot Of Africa marathon. This brought home many good memories.

Tuesday morning I was still stiff but again went out in the morning for a short jog and during the day started to feel that the stiffness was leaving me.

So what next? The following weekend Barbara is going to visit Nicci in Cape Town and will stay in "her room" at Nicci's new house. And Ally and I will be going to climb the Cockscomb near to Uitenhage.


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