Student Laubscher passes the test with Oceans trail run win

KANE REILLY and Annamart Laubscher were crowned Old Mutual Two Oceans Trail royalty with decisive victories in the 24km trail race yesterday.

One thousand runners took part in the 12km and 24km races over new routes through Newlands Forest and on the slopes of Devil’s Peak in perfect conditions for trail running – part mist, part bright sunshine and part rain – enjoying a variety of forest paths, jeep tracks, technical single track and spectacular scenery, and climbing a total of 950m.

Not for nothing many rate the 24km, or more accurately just over 25km yesterday, one of the finest trail races in the country.

Reilly ran the perfect race to outrun twice Two Oceans champion and former African long distance trail champion, Johannesburg athlete, Thabang Madiba, to become the first Cape Townbased men’s winner since Bernard Rukadza’s 2013 victory.

Reilly crossed the finish line on the Green Mile at the University of Cape Town campus in 1 hr 56 min 08 sec to win by 1 min 16 sec, with Edson Kumwamba running his best ever race to finish third, just 1:03 behind Madiba.

“I certainly felt that this was one of my best races,” admitted 24-yearold athlete, Reilly.

“I knew the course would suit Thabang, especially the fast tech- nical downhills, and planned to make my move on the climbs and open a winning gap. Luckily that’s more or less how it worked out.”

Stellenbosch University medical student Laubscher, 23, underlined her immense talent as a trail athlete, taking her two previous wins in the shorter distance trail race to a new level by prevailing against athletes of the calibre of Landie Greyling, Dunya Ansems and Lelani Scheffer and finishing 10th overall in 2:22:13.

“I really enjoyed the race today,” said Laubscher.

“It’s such a great route. I felt strong all the way and had a good work-out. I ran with some guys in the first half but was on my own for much of the second half of the race.”

Reilly ensured the pace was honest from the outset, keeping at the helm of the lead group through the first 8km through Newlands Forest, before Johannesburg athlete Tranquil Gumbo took over with a sudden burst along the contour path above Rhodes Memorial, opening a gap on his pursuers.

Judging the pace suicidal, Reilly was content to let Gumbo go, but slowly started to reel him in on the undulating jeep track around Devil’s Peak, taking the lead on a climb just after the halfway mark.

Using his climbing strength to good effect, Reilly had opened a one-minute lead over Madiba by the top of the climb up Oppelskop before increasing his lead along the Middle Traverse contour to above the King’s Blockhouse.

The gap was decisive and Madiba was given no chance to draw level, as Reilly flew down to the finish to take line honours.

It proved a good day out for the Reilly family, with mother Maxine winning the masters 50 years title in 3:10:48, while Nicholas Rupanga showed plenty of spark and speed in clinching the masters 40 years gold medal in 2:12:04 in seventhth position overall.

● The Two Oceans half-marathon starts at 6am today, with the ultra-marathon off at 6.40am.