PETER GIDDY.: ADDO TRAIL RUN KIRKWOOD TO ADDO 82KM AND ZUURBERG 50KM 2012

JACQUI; PETER AND BENITA AT THE START OF THE ADDO 2012 50KM TRAIL RUN

THE VISITORS TO ADDO ARE ALL ENCHANTED BY THE IMAGE OF BENITA COMPLETING THIS EVENT AND THE CHILD RUNNING TO GREET HER MOTHER.

ATHLETES SETTING WATCHES. FOR MANY OF US THE ADDO TRAIL RUN HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TIME. IT IS MUCH MORE THE JOURNEY THAN THE FINISH. ALTHOUGH IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO ARRIVE AT ZUURBERG

ADDO TRAIL RUN 2012
KIRKWOOD TO ADDO OR ZUURBERG
EASTERN CAPE OF SOUTH AFRICA
ADDO ELEPHANT PARK IS THE END OF THE 82KM AND THE MAIN REGISTRATION AREA.
50KM OR 82 KM TRAIL RUN
10 MARCH 2012

PETER AND JACQUI ZEELIE DEEP IN THE JUNGLE OF THE ADDO TRAIL RUN 50KM FROM KIRKWOOD TO ZUURBERG AS THEY CROSS ONE OF THE VERY MANY STREAMS WHERE WET AND MUDDY FEET ARE COMPULSORY

SIAN AND SHEENA
MARC AND CAROL COOPER
MARK SPENGLER
BENITA BARTON
FRANCOIS AND LIZA STEYL
SALLY
LETITIA
CHRIS GEDYE
JACQUI ZEELIE
PETER GIDDY
AD COLE
WILLIE
KEITH FINNEMORE
EVIE AND DARYL RAUBENHEIMER
ESTIENNE AND NADIA

This would be my third attempt at completing this event. As for the previous two times I had no specific training. My life is too busy with other activities to dedicate the required hours for an event of this nature.

JACQUI AND CANADIAN CHRISTINA LOOK HAPPY NOW

In previous years we had a little group of us from the MPRG who kind of stuck together. I am not a great one for doing events on my own. So when Jacqui Zeelie agreed to enter the 50kay with me I was delighted. Benita Barton was the only other person from the group and she would be doing the 82kay distance.

I managed to find (on Facebook) Francois and Liza Steyl who would drive down from Pretoria, stay over in Addo and drive to Kirkwood in the morning. We agreed to meet them at Addo. We left PE at 03.30am; From Jacqui's house it took us just over an hour to the camp. Both of us have our porrige and a cup of coffee in the car. Also bananas. I am too aprehensive to have mine. As we arrived at the main gate we saw a man with a torch but only when we were at the boom did we realise that he was the gatekeeper. So we turned around and fetched him. He had walked to the main road to fetch the newspapers. We drove him back to the boom where he opened up for us.

PETER; JACQUI AND BENITA

We met up with Francois and Liza and they drove us to Kirkwood. Here we registered and pinned on our numbers. This is a kind of who's who in the trail running fraternity. Runners from all over the country (and probably a few international runners as well). Chris Gedye; AD Cole & Wille (Dryland); Sian and Sheena who Andre and I had met on the Nanaga and Beach trail runs with their friend Marc; Benita Barton were there to start a day of adventure.

SHEENA AND SIAN AT THE START OF THE ADDO TRAIL RUN

As it got light Estienne made some announcements and finally at 06.15 we started the run. Keith Finnemore -- a school friend -- came to greet me and I felt so bad that I did not immediately recognise him. Forgive me Keith but my memory must be slowing down. Jacqui and I started at the back of the field. Lyn Roche had given the advice: "Start slowly; and then as the day progresses, slow down". We did just that. Run all the way through the village of Kirkwood greeting the locals. Nadia was on the road to greet her runners.

I had started my Endomondo but as Gerald will tell you from bitter experience with his GPS, I kept on making mistakes and finally the battery to the phone packed up. We reached the graveyard where there are so many familiar South African names on the gravestones. I find it strange that the old practice of burial of a body when the person dies, continues.

JACQUI LOOKS CHIRPY AND FRESH AT THE START OF THE EVENT.

Now we are on the gravel road and into the nature reserve. In the section of reserve that we will be there are no "dangerous" animals. No elephant, rhino or buffalo and while there are probably leopard in the mountains, it is very unlikely that they would ever attack a person in the day. At this point the 30 x longer distance runners take a left fork and the 170 X 59kay runners move uphill into the valleys ahead. There are a couple of hills but it is not long before we reach the first of the watering tables. Here I meet the people from Grootvadersbos (Mooney?) and they invite us to take part in the two day trail run that they have there.

JACQUI WASHES HER FACE IN THE STREAM. THE WATER IS PERFECT AND COOLS US DOWN. JUST BORING TO HAVE TO CROSS SO MANY STREAMS AND GET OUR FEET WET AND MUDDY SO OFTEN

From here the trail leads the runner to the section where the stream criss crosses the track. Over and over we step into water crossing streams. There is absolutely no chance of you keeping your feet dry. And the distance between the two checkpoints seems to be particularly long. And more and more river crossings. The first of the 82km runners pass us. They look so athletic and capable. With just their waterbottle in their hand. I keep thinking that the next table must be just ahead but I am wrong; it is a long way away. Jacqui is running out of water. I feel very low and drink down a GU energy sachet. This perks me up a bit and I am able to continue. I am realy grateful that these were part of the welcome pack this morning and that I remembered to put it in my carry bag.

PETER AND JACQUI SHOWING OFF AFTER JUST 5KAYS WHERE THE 82KAY RUNNERS BRANCH OFF FOR AN EXTRA 15KAY LOOP.

Finally after more wet walks we reach the checkpoint where we meet up with Christina and her two running companions. Sian, Sheena and Marc were just ahead of us for most of the distance. Also just around us was Lettia who we later found out was a friend of Almarie and also an OT. She has done all kinds of Distance runs. Recently Lettia has run the December marathon, the Friendly City and the Kango marathons and she plans to do Two Oceans 56km as well.

CAITLIN HELPING AT THE SECOND CHECKPOINT CHECKING THE ATHLETES AS THEY COME INTO THIS REFRESHMENT STATION DEEP IN THE FOREST. IT MUST TAKE HOURS TO REACH THIS POINT AS THE ROADS ARE NON EXISTENT

The second refreshment table was a really good break for us. We needed the refil of food and water. Mainly we would eat the boiled salty potatoes. I also took a couple of Jube Jubs for the road. I recognised Ally's friend from Hockey, Kaitlin. After this table I had thought that we were finished with the river crossings but I was wrong, We still had around 5 X wet foot experiences before finally starting the Cardiac Hill climb. This is a really tough, Steep and Long climb up and up and up. We had to stop and take a breather a couple of times.

Mark Spengler, Wildcoast trail run, remembered me from that event and passed us going up the hill. Jacqui and I reached the top. In previous years I have taken a break at the top but this time we pressed on. And as often as we could (Flats and downhills) we would jog. Various people passed us but we kind of held our own within our group. The trail has a long pull from the top of Cardiac to the next checkpoint which is the halfway mark and manned by Rufka and David from the Dresden Coffee shop. Jacqui sat down and took a long break changing socks. This is the first time that you are able to make a cell phone call as there is no reception in the valleys. I sent a few pictures and phoned home.

After this third checkpoint it is a long pull to the next point. We begin to become weary and jog whenever possible. Sally, a longer distance runner from Cape Town who appears to also be friends with the Grootvaders Bos people passed us. A really friendly and pleasant person. We saw her at the finish at Addo and I was amazed that she had remembered our names. It seems that Sally is a strong runner and had completed this event in good time.

PETER AND JACQUI LOOKING TOTALLY SHAGGED OUT HAVING PASSED HALF WAY AND NOW ON THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAINS TRYING TO ENJOY THE VIEWS OF MORE AND MORE MOUNTAINS WITH NO END IN SIGHT. ONLY AFTER MANY KAYS CAN YOU SEE THE POWER LINES THAT RUN PAST THE ZUURBERG HOTEL.

The top of the mountain section goes on forever. It is certainly not tough but seems endless. Short up and down sections. Sometimes easy for running but mainly rocky and overgrown. We now estimated we had done ten kays from the third station when Benita comes past us. She is looking good. Fresh and bouncy. After a short greeting we all see the next checkpoint which is our fourth and thier 5th refreshment point. Here we stock up again. We are told that it is around 10kays to the next station and then 7 kays to the finish. This is another long section. I slip and fall going down one of the steep gravel roads. And despite the fact that I had filled up with water at the last station I run out of water. I had taken an anti inflamatory on this section as I felt sore in my legs and back. So to deal with this I also drank a lot of water.

AT THE HALF WAY FOR THE 50KAY RUNNERS JACQUI CHANGES HER SOCKS AFTER CROSSING THE STREAMS AND WADING IN MUD FOR THE PAST 15KMS. THIS CHECKPOINT IS RUN BY DRESDEN RUFKA AND DAVID.

The weather had been very kind to us. From the start we had run in overcast and cloudy conditions. From time to time we had a cool breeze. And very little sunshine. At the top of the mountains it is always chilly with the cool breeze. From time to time we thought that we had felt a few drops of rain but that never materialised. Overall we had excellent running conditions. Still I continued to sweat a huge amount. I think that runners lose as much moisture through breathing as they do from body sweat. I certainly needed lots and lots of water today.

After the steep descent we jog the short distance to the last checkpoint. Here there is a really good vibe. The seconders are chirpy and the runners that come in seem to be in good spirits. We stock up again with some more potatoes and liquids. I had been having a cup or two of Pepsi at each station. Plus potatoes and a few pieces of banana. But by the time I reached the next station I would be hungry again.

THE TABLES AT THE ADDO TRAIL RUN ARE SIMPLY AMAZING. HERE JACQUI HELPS HERSELF TO THE MOST POPULAR OF ALL; BOILED POTATOES WITH SALT. I ENJOYED THE CHIPS AND THE JUB JUBS AS WELL. PERSONALLY I DONT EAT CHOCOLATE ON THE RUN. THEY ALSO HAD TEA AND COFFEE. WE DID NOT TRY THAT BUT WE DID HAVE THE COLD DRINKS AND RE-HYDRATE. THE BREAK AND FRIENDLY CHATS AT THE CHECKPOINTS ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENT.

Now for the final section. This area has become very overgrown. There used to be cattle down here but they must have been moved and the grass and vegetation has taken over. The trail is narrow and you have to watch your footing all the time. I continually stubbed a toe when looking up from the trail. I suppose that I was not lifting my feet. A couple of chaps and Letitia had a swim in the pool. We were too weary. Jacqui says that she has that "I just wanna get home" feeling at this stage. But I know that there is a really long pull from here. We are deep in the forest and have no sense of distance.

The trail is endless. Winding up and down and through streams. We again have wet foot. Little opportunity for jogging but where we can we try to move as fast as possible. When we have had to walk we have set a good steady pace. Then comes the long climb. I remember from both the Zuurberg mountain runs as well as the previous Addo runs that this 6kay stretch is actually around 12 kays real distance. On on and on. Up up and up. You have to just stay with the program.

JACQUI LOOKS VERY HAPPY AT THIS EARLY STAGE OF THE TRAIL RUN

Dont wonder when it will finish. I drink a second GU and start to feel a bit better. Having the sling bag makes taking stuff out a lot easier than taking it from the backpack. Continue going up. No respite. No end in sight. Finally we reach the actual rock clim. Jacqui says that this must be the last of the climbs. But actually there is still a long pathway ahead before the runner finally reaches the point where you can see the hotel complex across the valley.

I have this BlackBerry phone that has a very short battery life. I like taking pictures on the run but this phone is useless and my old cheap Nokia worked much better. Now I have Endomondo tracking on the phone but down in the valley here it does not seem to work. But up on the mountains we would hear this "Anne" speaking to us and telling us how far we had gone and what the time was. Unfortunately with the battery of the phone going dead and the valley not allowing signal, we lost the plot along the way. I checked later on and the phone tells me that our average speed was around 15 minutes per kay when we were in jog / walk mode on the top of the mountains. And as slow as 24 minutes a kay I should imagine when we were climbing the mega hills.

SHEENA AND MARK FINISHING THE ADDO 50KM TRAIL RUN AT ZUURBERG MOUNTAIN INN

The final section is the road leading to the hotel. Jacqui is so pleased to be able to jog on flat surfaces again. She heads off at a good pace. We try to wait for Letitia but she waves us on. Now we just want to finish so off we go and into the final stretch and under the banner. Darryl and Evie are there to greet us. We receive a solid applause and are so happy to be at the end of the greuling event. Liza gives us the tog bags with our clean stuff. We pay our R10 for a hot shower and make ourselves presentable again. Francois has not come in yet but Liza says that she will not wait at the top for him.

Keith Finnemore is there waiting for his guests. One of the chaps staying at his place has suffered from nausea and is dehydrated trying to recover in the mens shower room. Carol Cooper is Marc's wife and waiting on the patio. She offers a chocolate M drink. Jacqui has just been talking about this drink as being a good recovery drink. Sian. Sheena. Carol and Marc have all entered the Dryland event. I use this as added fuel to urge Jacqui to do the same. I have entered with Stefan. Carol tells us that she wants to get into shape again having completed a Ironman and various other events. Good to have a goal.

We say our goodbyes and Liza drives us back to Addo Camp. The runners going down the hill look very tired. I feel for them. It is a very long way still to go and the temptation to pack it in at Zuurberg must be huge. As we drive into camp we see Benita finishing. I am so pleased for her. Last year she had to bail due to the extreme cold. She had just 13 kays to go but simply could not carry on being so cold and having no energy. So here she was this year completing a major distance of some of the toughest terrain possible.

BENITA SETS OUT TO PROVE THAT SHE REALLY CAN DO THIS GRUELING EVENT AND ENDS UP WITH THE AMAZING FINISH AT ADDO 11H15MIN LATER.

We thanked Liza and drove back home. It is less than an hour at a really reasonable pace and an easy drive for us. We are lucky to have this event so close to home when we see how people travel from far to take part it makes us thankful that we are able to sleep in our own beds before and after the event. Perhaps if our families were there we would stay at Addo. It has been a tough day. For Jacqui who has only ever done one 21kay before this is a major achievement. She is a tough girl from all her hikes and generally keeping fit but never having been this distance the sense of accomplishment is huge. Well done Jacqui.

Next Year? Lets see!