Three weeks to Surfers Challenge

The 2024 Discovery Surfers Challenge is now only three weeks away, which for many a participant may feel too soon.

However, everyone has known for many months what the Surfers date would be and what preparation would be required to enjoy an optimal run, paddle or walk.

The week ahead will be a crucial one for final touches to race day readiness, with the two weeks that follow being a time for reflection, building selfbelief and choosing what kit and footwear, if any, to wear. It might sound trivial in the broader picture of a race down the east coast of SA, but it will determine personal outcomes.

Lightweight running or crop tops and short tights are the preferred option, given that all three events with starts at Kwelera Mouth, Gonubie Hotel or Blue Lagoon present at least one river crossing and then there are the feet to consider.

There are more rocks than most years following the constant rains through the summer of 2023-24.

Soft sand and shingle are a certainty along with the camber on parts of the beaches for example at Eastwood Ho a consideration. Will road or trail running shoes best suit the terrain? It is a topical question and one that is tough to answer given the different weights of shoes.

Anything that resembles a hiking or army boot is not a viable option if considering a best possible time. There are runners who will prefer barefoot for at least part of the race.

That said, taking off heavy shoes, and most running shoes become heavy through the rivers, are cumbersome to carry. An option therefore is to seek a pair of aqua shoes, which are generally light weigh and easily roll up to fit the hand. Not all have the best grip, so that would be a determining factor when choosing such an option.

There is a make called Barestep readily available and they fit most of the required criteria to a good result.

When racing a rival, friend or family member, every second counts.

As all these aspects are mulled over, training continues and for those who do not normally embark upon specific quality training, a good option is to simply run on time and not distance. Avoid any form of racing between now and race day.

A great session, maybe twice a week for the next two weeks, would be a 15 minute warm up followed by 4 x 5 minute hard with a two minute jog or rest between each and another 15 minute easy cool down with some stretching. Elite runners will do it differently, but the majority at Surfers are out to test themselves and experience the enjoyment.