MEIRINGSPOORT HALF MARATHON 2011

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.

SUNSHINE COAST TRAIL RUN 2011 SPRINGMOUNT

COLIN; SJANI AND RONEL JUST BEFORE WE MEET UP WITH THE 8KAY RUNNERS. SEE THE OCEAN IN THE BACKGROUND. MANY HILLS AND DUNES TO GO.



RUSSELL GAVE US SOME DETAILED EXPLANTIONS OF WHAT TO EXPECT. FORTUNATELY HE USES A LOT OF HAND GESTURES WHICH HELPS A LOT.




SPRINGMOUNT NANAGA TRAIL RUN 2011; http://www.nanaga.co.za/page/trail_runs
SUNDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER 2011

This event was organised by Dallas and Jane Barnardo. They ran with the MPRG for a short while, some time ago.
They have an organisation called Free Spirit Adventures. The Charity which benefitted from the proceeds is the Sunshine Coast Trust which is an organisation which attempts to provide support to the less fortunate communities of the Alexandria / Patterson and surrounding areas.

Springmount is a farm off the road that runs between Nanaga and Alexandria.


SJANI; COLIN AND RONEL JUST BEFORE THE START; GOOD LOOKING GIRLS TO KEEP COLIN COMPANY THE WHOLE WAY.


A number of runners from our group entered this event;
Pat, Gerald, Adrienne and Kobus ran the 8kay. As did Andre's wife Robin and two of the ladies from his shop and his son (Keegan's) girlfriend, Brittany. Mike Bester also ran the race and won it too.

John Nelson met me at our house at 7am and we collected Almarie and Robin before heading out to the event. Almarie felt a obliged to come out with us as I had complained about her going on her own to the Woodridge runs. The drive there took us less than an hour.



ROBYN AND ALMARIE STILL WARMLY DRESSED AGAINST THE EARLY MORNING COLD BREEZE



We off loaded our stuff and registered for the event. At an event like this there are so many local runners who we greet. Unfortunately I have a terrible memory for names and forget the names and faces of people who I know that I should acknowledge. Good to see Christoff Opperman; Chris Gedye; Gareth; Davera and Mike: Davera is going to be having a baby around March next year she told me. Bradley McKenzie;


ROBIN AND ANDRE BEFORE THE START. ROBIN DID THE 8KAY AND SAYS THAT SHE WAS STOKED AND READY FOR MORE.


It is a chilly morning and I think about running with a runners top but discard it just before the race starts. Fortunately as it warms us almost immediately we start. Russell gives us directions from the back of a tractor trailer. And a huge blast from a shotgun starts us off.


SUZANNE; MARGIE AND COLIN; MARGIE ENDED UP DOING A FEW KAYS EXTRA AS SHE TURNED RIGHT ON THE BEACH WHEN RUSSELL HAD SAID "TURN LEFT".


I soon realise that I will be in the very last of the finishers today. So What? I determine to enjoy myself. John heads off and ends up running with Elmarie, Robin, Angie, Michelle and Suzanne. He later tells me that he did not say too much -- in fact he explains that everytime a thought came into his head he would try to express himself but found that at least two of the five women were talking at that time. It kept his mind occupied and the event proceeded with the kays falling away until he came to some of the tougher hills which he had to walk. Fortunately for him so did his hareem of lady runners. They completed the event is a bit over two hours.



COLIN; SJANI AND RONEL ENJOYING A FUN DAY IN THE FIELDS.

Meanwhile I was stopping to take pictures and walking anything that looked like a hill. The run takes us into farmland right from the start. Ronel remarked that she takes a good couple of kays to get going as do I. I seem to puff and pant over the first three kays before being able to settle into any rythm. The first of the steep hills led us up to a water table. I had not taken my Camelback as I had thought there would be regular watering tables. If it had been a warmer day I would have been in trouble. Here Andre was waiting for me.


ROBIN ELBOURNE AND PETER; BACKGROUND IS THE FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE OCEAN. STILL A LONG WAY AND TOUGH TERRAIN AHEAD.


Colin, Sjani and Ronel also caught us up as we headed down hill. Over the next rise we were able to see the ocean in the distance. But had no idea what lay ahead for us. We jogged down the hill and could see the 8kay runners coming from the right. We met up with Gerald as we entered into the donga / kloof area.


GERALD JOINED US JUST BEFORE HIS HALFWAY WATERING POINT. I THINK THAT GERALD HAD A GREAT TIME; PAT MANAGED TO COME IN AHEAD OF THE GREAT ATHLETE.



Andre's wife -- Robin, Megan from Andre's shop and Brittany met us as we started into the kloof. We left them after a short while and jogged across to the second water table. Dallas announced that we had done 7kays and the 8 kay runners were at their half way mark.


DALLAS AT THE WATERING WAGON; WE TURN LEFT UP THE DUNES TO BONE HILL AND THE OTHERS CARRY ON FOR ANOTHER 4 KAYS TO THE FINISH.



LAUREN, ROBIN AND BRITTANY HEADING DOWN INTO THE DONGA / KLOOF. STILL LOOKING PERKY AND ENJOYING THE EVENT.


We left them there as we turned left towards the ocean. Up a short hill to Bone Valley. Then across some grassy dunes, down a hill and then up on to the real sand dunes. Not too bad at this stage and we were feeling good as we pressed on and over the first hill. Here we could again see the ocean as well as the tall pole with Bunting streaming from it that Russell had told us about.



ANDRE -- UP THE BONE HILL AND OVER THE FIRST MAJOR DUNE -- DOES NOT LOOK IT BUT THERE IS STILL A VERY LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE WE REACH THE BEACH.

I knew that we would be turning left at the bottom of the all the dunes and so persuaded Andre that we should take a bit of a short cut. BIG MISTAKE.



DALLAS IS ON THE WATER WAGON. THIS IS THE HALF WAY FOR THE 8KAY RUN AND JUST BEFORE THE DUNE FIELD IF YOU ARE UP TO TAKING TO THE SAND DUNES THAT SEPARATE THE FARM FROM THE BEACH FRONT.

I thought that I was being smart. Not so. We should have followed those ahead of us as the next kay or two was spent going up and down some of the toughest dunes that you can imagine. The sand was soft and the hills steep. Our shoes filled with sand and we struggled each time we put a foot down both on the ups and the downs. Finally we could see where the others were on the beach.


PETER AND ANDRE BEFORE WE MADE THE BIG BOO BOO OF TAKING A SHORT CUT OVER SOME OF THE TOUGHEST DUNES ON THE BEACH


Colin, Sjani and Ronel were now way ahead of us. We had to stop to remove as much of the sand from our shoes as we could. But shortly after this we stepped into soft sand again and filled our shoes with sand. Finally we came to the beach and jogged to catch the others. A landrover on the beach was a marker to show us where to turn. Up we ran back into the dunes. Fortunately not as soft or difficult going out of the Dune Fields as it had been coming in. This section was not too tough and we made our way back to the trailer where we had left the 8 kay runners earlier. We all stopped for a cold drink and took off our shoes to remove as much sand as we could. Okay; now we knew that we only had 4kays of trail running to go. Charl was there to greet us and show us the way.


COLIN; SJANI AND RONEL --- RUNNING UP HILL? IS THAT POSSIBLE?



So off we set for the final section. Charl had told us that we would climb one hill and then it was basically downhill for the final 1 and a half kays. He had lied. There was a hill ahead but then there was a second long hill just before the finish as well. With only a few hundred meters to go we regrouped to finish together. Pat and Gerald were at the finish to greet us. I think that Terry Webb was a little dissappointed that I had not stayed with Vanessa. Vanessa and Sharon Wilson came in just a few minutes behind us. We probably could have waited for them and done the distance together. Now I feel like a bit of a heel. Sharon had a welcoming party of children running in to fetch their Mom as she came in. Craig had stayed at the base to look after the children while Sharon had enjoyed the outing.


SJANI; RONEL AND PETER ON WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE FINAL HILL BUT TURNED OUT THAT THERE WAS STILL A LONG UP AHEAD.



We had a little treat which is becoming Tradition; Muffins and coffee from the boot of Pat's car. This was enought to keep me going for a while. Thanks Pat. For making the coffee and muffins and for making enough to feed us all. We really look forward to this treat.

At the prize giving there was this Blues Guitarist. It was just what this setting needed. Perfect end to the morning. He jammed and sung gentle songs and entertained us while we waited for Dallas to set up the prize giving. It reminded me of our Israel trip where we had been at the Kite Festival at Ceasarea and the Morrocan music that had entertained us that evening. In the barn there were a whole lot of goodies for sale. Stunning farm stuff. I had not brought cash so missed out but Robyn and Almarie stocked up.

The Prize giving went well. jane made some announcements and did the draws. Children ran around handing out the prizes. It was a perfect morning on this farm setting. Today I am proud to be a South African and part of a group of people who love the outdoors, Boerewors rolls; roosterkoek; beers; local markets -- all after a good morning of excersize; and everything that it is to be South African.

Our little group were winners with Britanny, John, Sjani, and Ronel all winning prizes. Ronel won a hamper of Choccies. John won himself some really nice sunglasses. Suzanne stayed for the lucky draw and came home with us. As we were about to leave a man came up to me. His face was familiar but I had to ask him to identify himself: Graham Moolman. We had been as school together. I sometimes see his brother Philip in PE and at Summerstrand. Graham and his wife Sally farm near to the Springmount farm: Blue bull farm. He pointed out a shorter cut to getting home which we took and ended up at the Kinkelbos stasie instead of going via Nanaga.

Now here is an interesting bit of information: What is the Afrikaans for a vehicle carrier such as the one in the picture below? In Afrikaans: If you Abba someone then you are giving a Piggyback or carrying the person on your shoulders. In Hewbrew the word Abba is Father. So father carries the child is :Abba-ing the child. So in Afrikaans the vehicle carrier is called an "Abbawa"


VEHICLE CARRIER IS KNOWN, IN AFRIKAANS, AS AN ABBAWA. ALMARIE GAVE IS THIS IMPORTANT AFRIKAANS LESSON ON OUR WAY HOME.

As soon as I got home I rushed down to Gelvandale Astro as Ally had a Grey Academy game this afternoon. But after waiting for almost an hour the Rhodes team never pitched up for the game and the game was declared a 5=0 win to our team. Danielle Wilson had also had a hockey match which Adrienne tells me they drew 2-2 and now all hinges on a final match against Rhodes.


What I needed most of all was a shower. I had sand in my hair (what hair?); toes and feet, clothes and kit. After the shower I had to get ready as I was leaving for JHB the following morning. I am driving the Mercedes back to JHB and picking up a Nissan.



ROBYN AND ALMARIE -- I JUST LOVED BEING WITH THEM FOR THIS EVENT. THEY HAVE SO MUCH LOVE FOR THE RUNNING AND ENTHUSIASM FOR LIFE

John says: "If this is going to be an annual event then count me in". The same applies to me. I can truly say I have enjoyed the morning at Springmount.