Runners tackle Addo trails
The Addo Elephant Trail Runs took place last weekend, with a number of trail enthusiasts from Grahamstown making the trip to Addo.
Athletes could choose between the 100 Mile (160km), 76km, 44km or a 5km. The trail runs are organised by Free Spirit Adventures, with sponsorship from RaidLight and SANParks.
The race website calls the trails “a truly wild trail running adventure,” as they take runners through the “vast and beautiful Addo Elephant National Park”.
“With race routes designed to test you both mentally and physically, the trails track the rugged Zuurberg mountains and beautiful valleys of the park,” states the website.
Brian Bannatyne was the only local athlete to tackle the 100 Miler. While he did not finish the race, he still managed to complete a total distance of 145km in the heat of the day and through the evening.
The 100 Miler started on Friday 10 March at 2pm.
Bannatyne had been moving for more than 34 hours when he stopped.
“I decided to stop 15km from the finish. I could not stay awake any longer,” he said.
“I could run the flattish sections but was reduced to a slow walk on the steeper parts. Quads quivering. I think I started hallucinating. The moon was hovering like a UFO.”
Kerry Longhurst and Laura Bannatyne took part in the 76km, with Kerry finishing as the fifth woman in 12 hours 6 minutes 57 seconds. Laura finished in 15:34:40.
The overall 76km race winner was Ryan Sandes (6:54:19) while Suzette von Broembsen was the women’s winner (9:39:19).
Laura Bannatyne competed in her 10th Addo race in 11 years which includes two 100 Milers, one 44km and she completed her seventh 76km race on Saturday. Laura said the race was very well organised.
“The course is amazing and goes places that ordinary visitors to the park can't access. It has some notable climbs and technical descents and runnable single and jeep track and is well marked with fantastic checkpoints and crew.
“On the day, the temperature hit 50 degrees in places and was in the 40s throughout once the day got going.
“For my own race I hit a problem at 18km and couldn’t run any more, so the rest was done at a fast walk. Hence it took me over 15 and a half hours rather than the expected 12, but it was priceless training for Munga: being forced to go slowly meant I was fine the next day and could have done it again. Especially as the weather was now cool and cloudy.
“The moonlit section through the forest up to Zuurberg was worth the long day.” She had praise for Brian. “My husband is the most amazing guy. He just thinks about how to get it right next time and does not dwell on disappointment except to learn the lessons.”
More than a dozen locals took part in the 44km, with former Rhodes University student Daneil Feldmann winning the women’s category in 4:39:51. The event was won by Mvuyisi Gcogco in 3:54:00.
First local home was Daniel Tooley who completed the 44km in 5:15:54, followed by Grant Wolff (5:19:03). Alice Ter Morshuizen was the first Grahamstown woman home in 6:29:59.
For Daniel Tooley, the race started off well for the first 15km and he managed to keep a good pace.
While he found the middle section tough he said he picked up the pace again for the last 5km.
“The temperatures were gruelling and very hot, so I drank a lot of liquids along the route,” Tooley said.
“It was a beautiful race and I enjoyed it big time. I will definitely be back next year.”
Rhodes student Aidan du Preez, who was also part of the support crew for some of the local athletes, won the 5km trail run.
The trails took athletes along a wide range of terrain including single track, 4x4 and old jeep tracks within the park. There were also a number of river crossings, and some challenging climbs with expansive views.
Amy Von Witt said she enjoyed the race, running with Boudina McConnachie and David Stoloff. “Boudina and I went in with the goal to enjoy it enough to want to do it again and I certainly did,” said Von Witt, adding “Bo, David and I took it slowly enough to take it all, but also had to face some of the most grizzly hours of the day.”