The ‘Gravel Crusher’

New 21km route at Gulu River test runners

Nedbank running club of East London, whilst fairly new, has been in operation for long enough to know what the running community enjoys and expects.

There are invariably differences of opinion between road and trail running, but for the most part runners simply enjoy running.

Nedbank are launching a new event that should both test and tantalise the running pallet.

The name "the Gravel Crusher" seems to indicate some serious challenges on the gravel roads around one of East London's renowned resorts at the Gulu River and beach.

The club has, in years past, organised a number of trail runs in the vicinity, but this is a new 21km route.

The distance will be a favourite with road runners in particular and a good few hundred are likely to line up at the 6am start on Sunday morning.

Entries are still available at the Beacon Bay Country Club this morning (Saturday) between 10am and 2pm.

The race calendar has, of late, been extremely busy on weekends and runners are emerging from various areas of the province from a December hibernation.

With two 10km races, a tough half marathon and an equally tough 15km, also largely on gravel, behind those who have raced this year, the outcome of the Gravel Crusher is likely to be determined in favour of those who have been circumspect in their running efforts.

A plethora of new clubs under Border Athletics has assisted in boosting numbers at each and every race in 2019 and Sunday offers Nedbank the opportunity to make their mark in the sand so as to develop and build a the new race from there.

A big focus of attention in the month ahead is the Jumbo Buffs Marathon and Half Marathon, so opportunities to test kit, nutrition and pacing over 21km is to be welcomed, especially in the heat and humidity of February.

In addition all who are running the Discovery Surfers will find a 21km on the terrain around Gulu to be excellent training.

A fair prize structure and peak caps for 300 participants are on offer.