Surfers Challenge to embark on 49th journey

Of the women, the ones who have been out in the fresh air most often have been Andrea Ranger with 23 finishes and Sonia de Barros going for 20

There may appear to be little correlation between the Buffs Marathon of 42,2km and the Surfers Challenge (originally called marathon) of 16 plus kilometres in the original format but the relationship between the two events is close, certainly in the early history of the two races.

Many of the Surfers pioneers were members of or became members of Buffalo Road Runners. They included the first winner, Kenny Wilkinson, an all-around superb athlete.

The first weekend of March is the actual anniversary of the Buffs Marathon, though in recent years it has been run in February, and will this year be on 25 for the 50th time. One year older than Surfers.

The chairman of the Surfers organising committee, Neville Wilkins, a surfer of course, has also been a runner completing two Comrades and seven 56km Two Oceans marathons.

It was in Buffs colours that he started his journey in 1988, a year when he returned his best times for both races, the Comrades in 9:09:25 and Two Oceans in 4:36:50.

Energy has never been lacking and the Surfers Challenge story is one that Wilkins will continue to drive, having introduced two shorter versions of the event and encouraging junior runners to get in on the act with the 5km from Blue Lagoon to Bonza Bay and back to the traditional finish at the Lifesavers Shack on Nahoon Beach.

The appeal of Surfers has always been the feeling of freedom, of movement, the Indian Ocean on a runner’s shoulder, a fresh breeze maybe, dunes to the right, flat beach running, rocks, bird life, dolphins and the competition of paddlers on the ocean. It is simply unique and must surely inspire.

Individual stories will abound from Dougie Kunhardt and his many races over both the original Kwelerha start and in later years from Gonubie. The years do take their toll of course, but Mickey Webb, Alastair Phillips, Mickey Witthuhn and the entire school of the 1970s cement the history.

Of the women, the ones who have been out in the fresh air most often have been Andrea Ranger with 23 finishes and Sonia de Barros going for 20.

And then there is Hanlie Botha lining up a 10th victory over the longer distance, while it is said her friend and rival, from Pretoria, Myrette Brink is making a comeback. Those are some of the women for young runners to take a lead from.

The Discovery Surfers Challenge is, however, not only about the participants for it is made possible by many volunteers along the way, at the start and the finish, while the spectators at various vantage points on the route lift the spirit, with Sunrise-on-sea, Rainbow Valley, Gonubie River and the entire route through the seaside suburb, on Bonza Bay beach, Nahoon River and the finish.

There is much to look forward to on the afternoon of February 17.