PETER AT MEIRINGSPOORT
MEIRINGSPOORT HALF MARATHON 2011
This is the third year that we come to De Rust for the Meiringspoort Half Marathon. And each year seems to get better.
This year we again booked into the Klein Plaas resort in Oudtshoorn. We upgraded ourselves to the more luxury chalets which makes the accommodation just a little more comfortable.
We left PE earlier than originally planned and arrived in De Rust at around 13.oo. I had been up since 04.30 and had planned to cycle with Mike Dean but the wind was blowing and no one showed for the ride. So I had gone back home to work on the lock of our home safe which had fallen into the safe. Amazingly I managed to repair it. I am not a handy man and am quite surprised every time that I get something like this right.
We took the Langkloof road. We had Jessica, Daniel and Joshua in the car with us. On the road we had come across a large tortoise. These reptiles are protected and so I stopped the car and carried the tortoise to the other side where I left him in the grass. A little further on a Klipspringer had leapt in front of the car. Daniels comment: "There seem to be lots of creatures in this area". Later on Barbara spotted a Klipspringer high up on some rocks above us. She has an amazing eye for game viewing.
Nicky and Stefan left Cape Town at around three PM as they had to wait for their car to be repaired. By this time we were already at Kleinplaas and the children had headed off on their bicyles. Between the pool and the bikes they had a stunning afternoon. I phoned Kobus and asked him to collect our numbers in De Rust as the registration was not open when we had arrived there.
I did some shopping for our supper and meals. I have not eaten meat or had a beer for over a month but broke my fast this evening. As Barbara and I sat watching the fire burning and waiting for Nicky's family to arrive the temptation was too strong and Barbara enjoyed a drink together. Finally they arrived at around 8pm. we had supper and I had to retire an hour later. I was so exhausted that I could not keep my eyes open.
I set my alarm for 04.30 and was more or less ready when the phone rang at 05.00am. Sjani wanted to know what was going on in Du Rust. Stefan and I had planned to leave around 5.30am. I feel for her: knowing how it is early on race day how anxious and nervous we are.
STEFAN ON THE BUS
PETER AND STEFAN ON THE BUS
It is a 30 minute drive from Oudtshoorn to De Rust; and that seemed easily enough time to get to De Rust. When we arrived we found the line of cars way outside of De Rust. I take the line of least resistance and parked last in line. But just then a man stopped his bakkie next to us and explained that there was lots of parking near to the start. We hopped back into the car and found a perfect parking place just a few meters from where the busses leave from. We walked down and then were confronted by some organisers who told us that we had missed the last bus to the 21kay start. The bus is so noisy. Each athlete is on edge and has so much to tell his / her friend in the bus. Gordon was also on the bus with us.
Next time we must leave no later than 05.15 from Kleinplaas.
CUT OFF PETER AND THE GROUP
ALF AND GORDON AT MEIRINGSPOORT HALF MARATHON
SUZANNE; KOBUS; SJANI AND MIKE AT THE START OF MEIRINGSPOORT HALFMARATHON
There in front of us the bus was leaving. After a bit of shouting the bus stopped to wait for us and a few others who ran to the bus. Gordon was also on the bus with us. This is the third year that I have been able to catch a bus rather than an open truck. It was not cold this morning but I was glad for the seats in the bus.
We arrived at the start in plenty of time at around 06.25. Stefan went in search of the toilets. I met up with Mike, Kobus, Peter, Sjani, Gordon, Suzanne, Liz, Alf and a couple other PE people.
We should have gone to the front to wait. The number of runners has increased exponentially from around 900 last year to around 1400 this year. The start was very crowded and we had to worm our way through the runners. The run starts with an out and back for around a Kay. Mike Bester again came flying past us in the opposite direction after the turn. Stefan, Sjani and I tried to stay together. Shortly after the start Suzanne came past. She ran off with Hennie and Kobus was hot on her heels.
STEFAN AT MEIRINGSPOORT
Stefan and I were hoping to crack the 2hour again this year. Our goal was to run as hard as possible to 11kays out to reach there under one hour. We were successful. With Ten Kays to go we had run 59 minutes. We met up with Ronel Marais from Stilbaai. It remined me of the 21kay that we have run there. I have done this event twice. Jan Groof, who is an Ex PE boy, invited a group of us and with Susan Burri's assistance with Accommodation we had a most wonderful weekend including a braai at the home of author Wilbur Smith.
RONEL MARAIS FROM STILBAAI HAD A SOLID RUN TODAY. KEEPING STEFAN AND I ENTERTAINED AND SHOWING US THE BEST LINE TO TAKE TO SAVE A FEW METERS AT EVERY TURN.
Ronel was a good partner to run with as she kept the conversation going and this helps to take the mind off the distance markers. At one time she fell a little behind and Stefan remarked how the kay had been so long. But then the next kay was again shortened by her chatting. As we run this event we cross the poort 21 times. Each crossing has a name and each name has a history.
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.
Sjani had fallen a little behind us and we did not see her again today. Stefan stopped for a bossies and I was able to make up a bit of time. He had to work hard to catch us again but I needed that little break from the tempo of the pace. We met Michael from PE. He went ahead and was good company for Stefan later on.
PETER AT MEIRINGSPOORT
I tried to not let up the pace but as we reached the 6kay to go, I slowed down for a coke and Stefan took off. I ran for a while with Ronel but she too became too strong for me. I could see that Stefan was now catching up with Suzanne and then he passed her and ran on with Michael. Ronel would be leaving for Welkom as soon as she reached the finish and we never saw her again. I could see Stefan ahead of me and slowly caught Suzanne.
SUZANNE SMILING WITH JUST TWO KAYS TO GO
With around 3kays to go Suzanne and I ran together from there to the end. I am not sure; but this may have been the first time that Suzanne ran under two hours. We turned into the village, along the short dirt road and then a sharp turn to the right. One kay to go! Here the temptation to walk is strong but I managed to keep up a miserable shuffle to the right turn. There is a short relief of downhill and then the sharp uphill again. Here the runner has to focus and work hard to the next turn. This is the main road and we have to run past the OK foods shop and then left up another steep hill (keep yourself going here even though you are really battling to jog) to the final left hand turn and down to the finish. Suzanne was right with me and we finished together. Well done Suzanne on keeping the pace even when you were battling.
As we finished we met up with Kobus, Liz, Marietjie (Ex Queenstown), Marie Louise, Aletta, Odette, Stefan, Julia -- who had done the Ten Kay. This was Julia's second time in Meiringspoort. This time she had driven up with Mike and Jenny Dean. Last year Julia had run with Ally and had a fall on a Cat's eye. This year she had just returned from a trip to Zambia and Etosha. She did the ten in 82mins. Not too bad at all.
LIZ, SUZANNE AND KOBUS FINISHED MEIRINGSPOORT IN FINE STYLE.
Kobus had noticed that Suzanne had a number just before his own which was a total conincidence as they had not entered together. Then I looked at my number and realised that the three of us were in sequence Suzanne was 256, Kobus 257 and my number was 258. The three of us had entered totally separately and independantly so this was an interesting little fact.
SUZANNE 256; KOBUS 257 AND PETER 258
Kobus had gone ahead and finished in 1;48, Stefan was just behind him at 1;52 and Suzanne and I finished in 1;55.
We walked to the car for clean clothes and found that we had parked next to the showers. So we had a quick shower and change before going back for a beer and burger. Mike Bester and a couple of Achilleans were cooling off in the showers. Mike had improved his overall position to 8th; three places better than last year.
Julia found the Dean's. Mike had a fall and had a grazed knee and arm. They would be leaving this afternoon so Julia came back to Oudtshoorn with us. We watched a bit of Rugby World Cup with France only just beating Wales to reach the finals.
After a bit of lunch we visited the Crocodile Ranch. There are 7 children and Five adults in our group. It was a really interesting tour of a variety of Birds, bats, Duiker, Fish, Tortoises, Lemur which has 26 stipes -- 13 black and 13 white. Catfish which we learned can live for up to three days out of the water as it has Gills and Lungs, Wild Boar, Crocodiles, Cheetah, Leopard, White Lion, Snakes and more birds before ending up at the childrens playground feature and water world.
SUNBATHING CROC
ZARA FEEDS A PARROT
ZARA IS BITTEN BY THE CROC
SUNBATHING CROC
STEFAN FEEDS THE RED PARROT
SLEEPING WHITE LIONS
NICKY AND BARBARA WITH PARROTS
MARIBU STORK
LET SLEEPING CROCS LIE
TWO LEOPARDS LAZING
LEMURS WITH 26 RINGS ON THEIR TAILS
LEAPING LIZZARDS
JULIA AND CHILDREN LOOK DOWN ON THE CHEETAHS
JESSICA, MIA AND JOSHUA
JESSICA KEEPS THE CROC QUIET
JESSICA AND DANIEL WITH BIRDS
DIK DIK OR DUIKER?
CROC WRESTLING
COLOURFUL PARROT
CHRISTIAN SURVIVED THE CROC BITE
CHRISTIAN AND JOSHUA ENJOY AN ICE CREAM
VULTURE IN THE TREE
CAPE VULTURE
The family and the children in particular had a wonderful day. The two sets of cousins really enjoy their company. After a busy afternoon we were back at Kleinplaas for some relaxing and braai supper.
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